Defense Security Cooperation University – Research Grants
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✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 27, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and organizations studying security cooperation and irregular warfare. Eligible applicants include individual researchers, research teams, military education institutions, civilian universities, think tanks, and FFRDCs. Both U.S. and international research institutions may apply. Research must be unclassified and publicly accessible. Projects should contribute new evidence, theory, or data on security cooperation policy and practice.
Current and past awardees are eligible to reapply. Principal investigators may submit only one proposal at a time, but collaborators may work on multiple submissions. UARCs are eligible unless restricted by their DoD contract.
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Program description
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s (DSCA) Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) promotes access to and production of knowledge on security cooperation. Security cooperation refers to “all Department of Defense (DoD) interactions with foreign security establishments that build and develop allied and partner security capabilities and capacity for self-defense and multinational operations, provide the Armed Forces of the United States with access to the foreign country during peacetime or a contingency operation, and build relationships that promote specific United States security interests” (Joint Publication 3-20, Security Cooperation, 1-2; see also 10 USC § 16, “Security Cooperation”).
Evidence-, theory, and data-building activities that contribute to the body of knowledge on security cooperation or irregular warfare, and that result in lessons that can be applied to practice, are the primary focus of this notice of funding opportunity (NFO). Research products sponsored through this NFO must be unclassified and publicly accessible. DSCU expects awardees to participate in conferences, seminars, focus groups and events, and to make final research products and supporting data (if applicable) easily accessible to the public, in order to enhance dissemination of research findings and facilitate application of lessons learned in areas of policy, practice, and workforce professionalization.
The DSCU research grant program, conducted pursuant to 10 USC § 4001 and 10 USC § 384(g), is generally open to a broad range of researchers, although individual DSCU components may have restrictions on who may receive grants.
Please see the full NFO for complete details.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- White paper or concept paper (component-specific format)
- Project narrative describing research objectives and methodology
- Budget and budget justification
- Curriculum vitae of principal investigator(s)
- Letters of commitment from collaborators (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Jonathan Bertsch Grantor
- 📧 jonathan.e.bertsch.civ@mail.mil
- 📞 7035453559
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.024 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$5,018,932
-
$4,071,900
-
$584,440
-
$580,000
-
$465,089
-
$397,848
-
$387,388
-
$384,616
-
$308,973
-
$283,094
Top States by Funding
- CA 2 awards $9.1M
- DC 4 awards $1.2M
- WA 1 awards $0.3M
- IL 1 awards $0.2M
- GA 1 awards $0.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.024). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $2,096,663 | |
| 2025 | $3,222,590 | |
| 2026 est. | $3,222,590 |
FAQ
Who can be a principal investigator?
Individual researchers with or without institutional affiliation, as well as research teams. Both U.S. and international applicants are eligible.
Can I submit multiple proposals?
No, principal investigators may submit only one proposal at a time. However, collaborators and sub-recipients may work on multiple proposals.
Must my research be classified or unclassified?
All research products must be unclassified and publicly accessible. DSCU expects findings to be disseminated widely.
What types of organizations are eligible?
Universities, think tanks, FFRDCs, military education institutions, and interagency communities of interest are all eligible to apply.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $2,500 to $800,000 depending on project scope and component.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on unclassified research that contributes new knowledge to security cooperation or irregular warfare fields.
- Plan for dissemination: include conference presentations, seminars, and public data sharing in your proposal.
- Review component-specific eligibility restrictions (Young Institute vs. IWC) before submitting.
- Emphasize how your findings can apply to policy, practice, or workforce development.
- Connect your research to DoD security cooperation priorities and lessons learned frameworks.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting classified research or failing to commit to public dissemination. Proposing multiple applications as a principal investigator. Underestimating the effort required for conference presentations and public data sharing.
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