Fundamental Research to Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction
🏛 Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Can you apply?
This grant is for fundamental research to develop scientific knowledge and capabilities that counter weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. Eligible applicants typically include academic institutions, research organizations, national laboratories, nonprofit research entities, and small businesses with research capabilities. The program supports high-risk, high-impact basic research that advances detection, mitigation, protection, or attribution of WMD threats. Geographic scope is limited to the United States and U.S. territories. Eligible activities include laboratory experiments, computational modeling, theoretical work, and prototype development. International collaboration is generally permitted when aligned with U.S. national security interests and subject to export control compliance.
Program description
** Fundamental Research BAA Amendment 2 posted on January 15, 2026**
This Amendment adds Topics B1-B6. PRE-APPLICATION WHITE PAPERS FOR THIS TOPIC MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 11:59 PM (MIDNIGHT) EST ON 2 MARCH 2026. White papers may not be considered if they are received after this deadline.
Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to review the BAA in its entirety. **Please note that ALL general correspondence for this BAA must be sent to dtra.belvoir.rd.mbx.rd-cb-frbaa25-34-a@mail.mil
Thrust Area-specific correspondence must be sent to dtra.belvoir.rd.mbx.rd-cb-frbaa25-34-a@mail.mil
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (typically 15-20 pages describing research objectives, methods, expected outcomes, and WMD relevance)
- Budget and Budget Justification (detailed costs with labor, materials, travel, and indirect costs)
- Biographical Sketches for key personnel (NIH format or equivalent)
- Institutional Certifications (export control compliance, security certifications)
- References and literature citations
- Prior research relevant experience/publications
- Facility security clearance documentation or certification of ability to obtain
- CAGE code and duns number verification
- Letters of commitment from collaborating institutions (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 samuel D Jensen Grantor
- 📧 dtra.belvoir.rd.mbx.rd-cb-frbaa25-34-a@mail.mil
- 📞 703-677-7739
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.351 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$49,233,779
-
$38,598,022
-
$7,421,125
-
$6,491,025
-
$5,974,993
-
$5,150,041
-
$4,999,996
-
$4,988,492
-
$4,988,193
-
$4,579,684
Top States by Funding
- PA 8 awards $56.6M
- MD 3 awards $52.2M
- CA 12 awards $33.5M
- NY 5 awards $16.9M
- IL 3 awards $11.6M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.351). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $44,665,862 | |
| 2025 | $29,284,540 | |
| 2026 est. | $33,187,535 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include universities, colleges, nonprofit research institutions, small businesses engaged in R&D, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), and other research organizations with appropriate security clearance capabilities and export control compliance experience.
What is the typical funding amount and project duration?
DTRA fundamental research grants typically range from $100,000 to $500,000 per award, with project periods commonly spanning 2-3 years. Exact amounts vary by research focus area and proposal evaluation.
What types of research activities are supported?
The program supports basic research in chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and engineering related to WMD detection, assessment, protection, remediation, and non-proliferation. Both experimental and computational research approaches are eligible.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a highly competitive program. DTRA receives numerous proposals from top-tier research institutions and established investigators. Technical merit, innovation, and demonstrated ability to execute classified and unclassified research are critical success factors.
Are there reporting requirements or restrictions?
Yes. Awardees must comply with export control regulations, potential security clearance requirements, and detailed progress reporting. Some research may be classified or have publication restrictions related to national security.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish credibility in WMD-related science: Highlight prior experience with nuclear, chemical, biological, or radiological research and demonstrated understanding of national security implications. Include relevant publications and prior defense contracts.
- Address WMD detection or mitigation directly: Make clear connections between your fundamental research and practical applications for countering specific WMD threats. DTRA favors research with clear pathways to operational relevance.
- Demonstrate security compliance capacity: Explicitly describe your institution's experience with export controls, classified research, and security protocols. Include information about your organization's CAGE code, facility certifications, and security officer contacts.
- Focus on innovation and high-risk impact: DTRA supports transformative research, not incremental advances. Clearly articulate the novelty of your approach and why it is necessary despite existing capabilities.
- Engage program officers early: Contact DTRA program managers before submitting to understand current priorities, technical focus areas, and alignment with agency strategic goals. This informal guidance significantly improves competitiveness.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail due to insufficient engagement with national security relevance—reviewers need clear explanation of how the research addresses specific WMD threats or detection gaps. Another common issue is underestimating security and export control requirements; applicants unfamiliar with classified research protocols or those lacking security infrastructure face significant barriers. Finally, many proposals lack demonstrated institutional capacity for working with defense agencies, including missing CAGE codes, inadequate security certifications, or no prior experience managing DTRA or DoD contracts.
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