Regional Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations in the Near East
🏛 Bureau of Counterterrorism (DOS-SCT)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations providing explosive ordnance disposal and counter-IED training to foreign security forces in Iraq, Lebanon, and GCC member states.
Eligible applicants include U.S. and foreign nonprofits, think tanks, NGOs, public and private educational institutions, and for-profit organizations. Public international organizations and governmental institutions also qualify.
Activities funded include EOD training, C-IED instruction, equipment provision, and post-blast investigation capability development. The program strengthens foreign government security forces to handle unexploded ordnance threats.
This is a cooperative agreement grant requiring direct engagement with partner nations in the Near East region.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
Following Iran’s widespread use of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) throughout the Near East region during the 2026 conflict, there remains a significant and persistent risk of unexploded ordnance (UXO) falling into the hands of malign actors who could repurpose these materials to carry out attacks against U.S. facilities, critical infrastructure, and civilian soft targets, a phenomenon known as “explosive harvesting.” The proliferation of UXO, combined with the technical sophistication of Iranian-origin explosive materials, presents an acute threat to regional stability and U.S. national security interests.
The Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to provide specialized explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), counter improvised explosive device (C-IED), and post-blast investigation training and equipment to security forces in Iraq, Lebanon, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates). This program will strengthen the capabilities of foreign governments, including Iraqi security forces, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF), and GCC member state security services, to identify, render safe, disarm, and properly dispose of UXO and other explosive materials. The program will also enhance post-blast investigation capabilities to support attribution efforts and prosecution of perpetrators who attempt to weaponize these materials. This project will safeguard against attacks being carried out against U.S. facilities and soft targets using these materials.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Statement of Work
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Partner country agreements or MOUs
- Personnel qualifications and resumes
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
-
$22,988,485
-
$12,475,819
-
$11,840,645
-
$11,692,024
-
$11,167,474
-
$11,074,555
-
$10,221,242
-
$7,749,000
-
$7,198,208
-
$7,095,687
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
U.S. and foreign nonprofits, educational institutions, for-profits, and governmental entities qualify. Think tanks and NGOs are explicitly eligible.
What is the geographic focus?
The program operates in Iraq, Lebanon, and GCC member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE). Applicants must work with security forces in these regions.
What activities are funded?
Explosive ordnance disposal training, counter-IED instruction, equipment provision, and post-blast investigation capability development for foreign security forces.
What is the award amount?
Individual awards up to $3,946,719 are available. Exact funding levels depend on proposed scope and partner nation needs.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required. This is fully funded by the Department of State.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate direct relationships with security forces in Iraq, Lebanon, or a GCC member state. Partnerships are critical for implementation.
- Emphasize how your EOD/C-IED training strengthens U.S. security interests and regional stability. Connect activities to the threat narrative.
- Detail equipment specifications and technical expertise. Reviewers assess whether your organization can deliver specialized EOD capabilities.
- Show experience operating in conflict-affected or high-risk environments. Previous work in the region strengthens competitiveness.
- Include a clear implementation timeline aligned with partner nation readiness. Realistic timelines increase award likelihood.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak security force partnerships or unclear implementation mechanisms. Applications must detail who will receive training and how operations will proceed. Insufficient emphasis on national security linkage. Proposal must clearly connect EOD work to countering explosive harvesting threats and protecting U.S. facilities. Underestimating regulatory and logistical complexity in partner nations.
Similar grants
- OPEN FY27 Brownfields Job Training (JT) Grants — Environmental Protection Agency
- OPEN NIOSH Miner Safety and Health Training Program – Western United States – U60 — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA
- OPEN Fiscal Year 2026 National Incident Management System (NIMS) — Department of Homeland Security - FEMA
- OPEN Better Tools for Fair Cotton: Traceability Solutions to Protect U.S. Supply Chains from Chinese Forced Labor — Bureau of International Labor Affairs
- CLOSING SOON Artificial Intelligence for American Competitiveness and Economic Security (AI-ACES) in South Asia — Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs