Countering Terrorist Recruitment Online
🏛 Bureau of Counterterrorism (DOS-SCT)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations working to counter terrorist recruitment by foreign terrorist organizations online. Eligible applicants include nonprofits (think tanks, civil society organizations), educational institutions (public and private), for-profit organizations, public international organizations, and government entities. The focus is on supporting law enforcement and related efforts to address digital recruitment by U.S.-designated FTOs including jihadist networks, drug cartels, and extremists. Activities must target online recruitment tactics and emerging technologies like AI that enhance recruitment effectiveness.
Geographic scope is international in nature, as recruitment efforts span across borders and involve global populations targeted by these organizations.
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Program description
U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), including jihadist networks, drug cartels, and individual extremists, continue to act on violent ideations and inspire others globally. Recruitment efforts are increasingly digital, thus making counterterrorism investigations more complex across borders. Furthermore, emerging technology, such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), are enhancing recruitment effectiveness with target populations. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism, announces this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to support law enforcement in countering U.S.-designated FTO online recruitment, pending the availability of funds.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Proposal
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Evidence of relevant expertise or partnerships
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Counterterrorism
- 📞 703-516-1684
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.701 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$22,988,485
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$12,475,819
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$11,840,645
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$11,692,024
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$11,167,474
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$11,074,555
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$10,221,242
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$7,749,000
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$7,198,208
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$7,095,687
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
What types of organizations can apply?
Nonprofits (including think tanks), educational institutions (public/private), for-profit organizations, public international organizations, and government entities are all eligible. The grant is open to a broad range of institutional types.
What is the award amount?
The fixed award is $4,933,399. There is no cost-sharing requirement for applicants.
What must applications address?
Proposals should focus on countering online recruitment by U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organizations. Activities addressing AI-enhanced recruitment tactics and cross-border digital challenges are particularly relevant.
Is there a letter of intent required?
The NOFO does not indicate a required letter of intent. Check the full announcement for any pre-application requirements.
When is the deadline?
The application deadline is July 27, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly explain how your organization brings law enforcement perspective or direct support to counterterrorism efforts. Agencies want credible partners with relevant expertise.
- Address the role of emerging technology (especially AI) in your proposal. The grant emphasizes this as a growing challenge in recruitment tactics.
- Demonstrate understanding of cross-border, digital-first recruitment strategies. Traditional physical security approaches alone will not be competitive.
- Include partnerships with law enforcement agencies or international counterparts if possible. This strengthens credibility and operational reach.
- Show specific metrics for measuring the effectiveness of your countermeasures. Vague outcomes will weaken your application.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lacking law enforcement partnerships or credible counterterrorism expertise often fail. Failing to address emerging technologies like AI in recruitment tactics will appear outdated. Proposals without clear cross-border or international strategy miss the global scope of this threat.
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