Countering Foreign Terrorist Organization Use of Illicit Mining
🏛 Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations addressing how violent foreign terrorist organizations exploit illicit mining. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, think tanks, NGOs, educational institutions (public and private), for-profit organizations, and public international organizations. The initiative targets the nexus between FTOs, transnational criminal organizations, and mining sectors. Proposals should engage law enforcement, mining regulators, judges, prosecutors, and civil society partners.
Funded projects take integrated approaches. They address both supply-side and demand-side factors. They coordinate across multiple sectors and stakeholders.
Program description
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) is seeking proposals for an initiative that will address the exploitation of illicit mining by violent FTOs. Special focus should be on the relationship and involvement of FTOs and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) in the space. Competitive proposals should take an integrated approach to the threat and include civilian law enforcement, mining sector regulators, judges and prosecutors, and civil society where appropriate.
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 Statement
- Evidence of nonprofit/organizational status (as applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor
- 📞 202-890-9795
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
-
$11,074,555
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$10,221,242
-
$7,749,000
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$7,198,208
-
$7,095,687
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, NGOs, think tanks, educational institutions (public and private), for-profit organizations, and public international organizations are eligible. Government agencies may apply as well.
What should my proposal focus on?
Address how FTOs and TCOs exploit illicit mining. Include partnerships with law enforcement, mining regulators, judges, prosecutors, and civil society.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. Cost-sharing is not required for this grant.
What's the funding range?
Awards typically range from $2 million to approximately $4.9 million for this initiative.
What type of funding instrument is this?
This is a cooperative agreement, which means the funder will be involved in the project and maintain collaborative engagement.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Lead with a clear problem statement about FTO/TCO involvement in illicit mining and its security impacts. Demonstrating this nexus is critical for competitiveness.
- Build in multi-sector partnerships early. Include law enforcement, mining sector actors, judicial officials, and civil society. Show how they will collaborate.
- Explain how your approach is integrated. Address financial flows, supply chains, criminal networks, and policy changes simultaneously rather than in isolation.
- Detail concrete deliverables tied to countering FTO financing. Proposals should show tangible outcomes for law enforcement or mining governance improvements.
- Describe your organization's existing relationships in relevant countries or sectors. Prior experience with mining governance or counterterrorism work strengthens your application.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals that focus only on mining regulation without addressing FTO/TCO involvement directly tend to score lower. Weak or missing partnerships with law enforcement and civil society undermine competitiveness. Failing to explain how the project reduces FTO access to illicit mining proceeds weakens the justification.
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