Countering DPRK Missile and Nuclear Programs | S ISNCT 17 005

Opportunity Information: Apply for S ISNCT 17 005

The "Countering DPRK Missile and Nuclear Programs" opportunity is a U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (ISN/CTR) funding competition that supports practical, on-the-ground capacity building to help partner countries disrupt North Korea's (DPRK) weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation and the financing and logistics networks that sustain its nuclear and missile programs. The award instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning recipients should expect close coordination with the U.S. government during implementation. Funding is provided through the Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR) account, and the work is framed around strengthening compliance with and enforcement of relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) related to nonproliferation and DPRK sanctions.

The program rationale is that the DPRK relies heavily on external procurement channels, shipping routes, front companies, trade links, and financial mechanisms outside its borders to obtain sensitive materials and technologies and to generate revenue for its WMD and missile efforts. While UNSCRs require all states to prevent proliferation and to establish domestic controls over related materials and activities, the Department of State notes that some governments do not yet have the resources, legal authorities, interagency processes, or technical expertise needed to fully implement and enforce those obligations. ISN/CTR therefore aims to bolster partner-country capabilities so they can identify, interdict, investigate, and prosecute sanctions evasion and proliferation-related activity connected to the DPRK. Although eligible engagement is global in scope (including Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America), the emphasis is on jurisdictions that have trade ties with the DPRK or that function as key shipping, transshipment, flag registry, or maritime services hubs, as well as certain African states with historical commercial or arms-trade connections to North Korea.

Projects are expected to advance CTR's mission by delivering concrete improvements in laws, regulations, operational practices, and frontline enforcement. Priority activities include helping governments develop and implement legal and operational frameworks for sanctions enforcement, especially asset freezes tied to proliferation activities; providing technical and policy expertise to support multiple government entities (for example, finance ministries, customs, port authorities, financial intelligence units, maritime authorities, prosecutors, and police) in enforcing DPRK-related sanctions; and strengthening partner capacity to address proliferation financing in line with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidance. A large part of the work is training oriented, targeting both government and non-government stakeholders so they can recognize and disrupt DPRK-linked schemes across shipping, trade, and financial channels.

A core focus area is maritime and shipping-related sanctions evasion. The NOFO explicitly calls for training and support to improve identification and disruption of illicit DPRK shipping practices, including the use of "flags of convenience," false ship registries, and other deceptive maritime tactics. It also highlights revenue-generating activities that help fund DPRK WMD programs, such as conventional arms sales, luxury and counterfeit goods trade, and services or industries tied to sanctions evasion. Examples mentioned include arrangements involving DPRK laborers, trade in coal and other minerals, commercial fishing, and other commercial activities that can generate proceeds for the regime. Alongside maritime enforcement, the program includes work to enhance implementation of UNSCR travel prohibitions aimed at preventing DPRK individuals from moving internationally for sanctions evasion purposes.

Another major emphasis is partnering with the private sector and other non-government actors who may inadvertently enable DPRK activity. The NOFO encourages training for private companies, industry associations, and related stakeholders to better detect and stop both licit-looking and clearly illicit commercial activity that ultimately funds DPRK nuclear and missile programs. This includes strengthening end-user and end-use due diligence so that exporters, shippers, insurers, banks, and other commercial actors conduct stringent checks and do not unknowingly support proliferation networks. On the law enforcement side, projects may train national police, regulators, and investigators to recognize and counter DPRK sanctions evasion methods, including the ability to identify, investigate, and arrest individuals involved in DPRK-linked financial activity, proliferation financing, or trafficking in WMD-related information and technology.

ISN/CTR notes a general preference for projects that cost under $500,000, although it allows for the possibility that multiple projects under an award could cumulatively exceed $500,000. Applicants are responsible for all proposal preparation and submission costs, and the U.S. government will not reimburse those expenses. Eligibility includes U.S. and international entities, specifically not-for-profit organizations (including those with 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations, and educational institutions, with direct funding available to both U.S. and non-U.S. applicants. A key limitation is that the program does not support activities involving training, engagement, or redirection of DPRK nationals or DPRK government or non-government agencies; the intended beneficiaries are partner-country institutions and relevant stakeholders outside North Korea.

Key administrative details from the opportunity listing include the funding opportunity number S-ISNCT-17-005, assistance type "discretionary," instrument type "cooperative agreement," CFDA 19.033, and an original closing date of August 20, 2017, with the posting created July 18, 2017.

• The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Countering DPRK Missile and Nuclear Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.033.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-07-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-08-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for S ISNCT 17 005

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