Mitigating Proliferation Risks Posed by Artificial Intelligence Enabled Molecular Models and Leveraging Nonproliferation Opportunities
🏛 Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation (DOS-ACN)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S.-based nonprofits, educational institutions, and for-profit organizations working on nonproliferation and disarmament initiatives. Applicants must develop safeguards against misuse of chemical and biological AI models. The lead applicant organization must be based in the U.S. to be eligible.
Eligible organizations include nonprofits, NGOs, educational institutions, and for-profit companies. Projects should advance the Office of the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund's mission. Proposals may address all or targeted subsets of key objectives related to AI-enabled proliferation risks.
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Program description
The Department of State’s Office of the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (ACN/NDF) is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). ACN/NDF invites domestic non-profit/non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, and for-profit organizations to submit proposals for projects that will advance the mission of NDF’s efforts to identify, evaluate, and develop safeguards to counter the misuse risks enabled by the proliferation of chemical and biological Artificial Intelligence (AI) models (CBAIMs). Proposals may not exceed the total availability of funds under this NOFO. ACN/NDF welcomes proposals that fully address all or a clearly articulated, targeted subset of the key objectives of this NDF line of effort (Section II). Please indicate whether the proposal involves collaboration with a partner organization that is separately responding to this solicitation.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NOFO application form
- Project narrative/proposal
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Evidence of U.S. organizational status
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation
- 📧 acn-ndf-grants@state.gov
- 📞 771-204-0446
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 19.224 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$7,058,065
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$4,042,633
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$2,499,355
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$2,354,510
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$2,200,000
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$2,190,185
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$2,000,000
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$1,941,970
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$1,600,000
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$1,397,529
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 19.224). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $127,672 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
U.S.-based nonprofits, educational institutions, for-profit organizations, and NGOs are eligible. The lead applicant must be based in the U.S.
What types of projects are funded?
Projects that develop safeguards against misuse of chemical and biological AI models. Proposals can address all objectives or a targeted subset of NDF priorities.
Is there a deadline, and when does this grant open?
The deadline is July 21, 2026. This appears to be a fixed deadline for a single funding cycle.
How competitive is this grant?
This is highly competitive. It's a federal nonproliferation program with limited total funding ($4 million). Strong proposals demonstrate technical expertise and clear impact on AI safety in sensitive domains.
What is the funding range?
Total funding available is $4 million. Individual award amounts are not specified in the NOFO.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate how your project addresses chemical and biological AI model safeguards specifically. Vague proposals on general AI safety will not be competitive.
- Demonstrate technical depth in both AI/ML and nonproliferation policy or practice. Panel reviewers will expect sophisticated understanding of both domains.
- If collaborating with partner organizations also applying to this NOFO, clearly disclose this relationship in your proposal. Transparency about partnerships strengthens credibility.
- Connect your safeguards framework to concrete, measurable outcomes. Show how your work prevents actual proliferation risks, not just theoretical concerns.
- Budget should reflect the complexity of AI research combined with security protocols. Undershooting on resources signals lack of realism about the technical challenge.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals fail when they conflate general AI safety with nonproliferation-specific threats. Make the chemical/biological misuse connection explicit. Applicants lacking genuine expertise in both AI models and arms control policy are easily identified by expert panels. Vague deliverables without measurable safeguard metrics do not meet program goals.
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