Reinforcing Protection of the Kenya Border shared with Somalia
Can you apply?
This grant is for international counterterrorism and border security initiatives between the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Counterterrorism and the Government of Kenya, focused on protecting the Kenya-Somalia border region. Eligible applicants typically include U.S. government agencies, the Government of Kenya, regional security organizations, and organizations with direct involvement in border security, counterterrorism operations, or regional stability efforts. Supported activities may include capacity building for border security personnel, equipment and technology deployment, training programs, intelligence sharing mechanisms, and infrastructure improvements to strengthen border protection and prevent transnational terrorist movement. Geographic scope is limited to the Kenya-Somalia border region and related cross-border security initiatives.
This grant is for international counterterrorism and border security initiatives between the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Counterterrorism and the Government of Kenya, focused on protecting the Kenya-Somalia border region. Eligible applicants typically include U.S. government agencies, the Government of Kenya, regional security organizations, and organizations with direct involvement in border security, counterterrorism operations, or regional stability efforts. Supported activities may include capacity building for border security personnel, equipment and technology deployment, training programs, intelligence sharing mechanisms, and infrastructure improvements to strengthen border protection and prevent transnational terrorist movement. Geographic scope is limited to the Kenya-Somalia border region and related cross-border security initiatives.
Program description
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) announces a funding opportunity for a 15-month results-focused cooperative agreement to improve the counterterrorism capabilities of one of the advanced tactical law enforcement units within Kenya’s Administrative Police Services (APS) tasked with securing the border with Somalia. Through the provision of training and necessary equipment, this program will improve operational readiness through three lines of effort: 1) low-light and night-vision ability; 2) using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) purposes; and 3) organic explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capability. In the Kenyan context, the overall outcome of this program is to further the tactical development of these three skills in order to enhance the security surrounding the Manda Bay Military Base (also known as “Camp Simba”) along the eastern border with Somalia. The military base in Kenya’s Lamu County region is critical to the protection of U.S. military assets and personnel. By strengthening Kenya’s ability to secure its border with Somalia, this program directly protects American servicemembers stationed at Manda Bay and prevents terrorists from conducting attacks that threaten American citizens and U.S. interests.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement (Assurances and Certifications)
- Project narrative (including statement of need, project design, and evaluation plan)
- Detailed budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation (experience, staffing, relevant past performance)
- Letters of commitment or support from Kenyan government partners
- Security clearance documentation (if required for the sensitive nature of counterterrorism work)
- Indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)
- Risk assessment and security protocols for operating in the target region
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
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$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 is eligible to apply for this grant?
This program is typically for U.S. government agencies, the Government of Kenya, and organizations directly engaged in border security and counterterrorism work in the East Africa region. Foreign governments and their agencies may be primary implementers.
What is the application deadline and timeline?
The application period opens on May 15, 2026, with a fixed deadline of June 10, 2026, providing approximately four weeks for application submission.
What activities does this grant support?
Typical supported activities include border security capacity building, counterterrorism training, personnel development, equipment provision, technology deployment, and infrastructure improvements to enhance security along the Kenya-Somalia border.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a highly specialized geopolitical grant with limited potential applicants. Competition depends on the number of eligible organizations with direct operational involvement in the Kenya-Somalia border region and counterterrorism work.
What is the typical funding range?
Specific funding amounts vary by year and project scope. Applicants should consult the official grant announcement (NOFO) for fiscal year budgets and per-award funding caps.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on Grants.gov immediately upon release to understand all eligibility requirements, as this program has strict geographic and operational scope limitations.
- Clearly demonstrate your organization's direct operational capacity and track record in Kenya-Somalia border security or counterterrorism work; generic border security experience may not be competitive.
- Align your project narrative with U.S. counterterrorism policy objectives and the Bureau of Counterterrorism's strategic priorities for the East Africa region.
- Include detailed budgets and implementation timelines that account for the complex operational environment and potential logistical challenges in the Kenya-Somalia border region.
- Emphasize partnerships with Kenyan government agencies, regional organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen coordination and demonstrate commitment to collaborative security efforts.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often underestimate the security environment complexity and logistics challenges of operating in the Kenya-Somalia border region, leading to unrealistic timelines and budgets. Many proposals fail to demonstrate sufficient prior experience or operational capacity in this specific geographic area and counterterrorism context. Applications that lack clear alignment with U.S. State Department counterterrorism priorities or fail to articulate how activities directly strengthen border protection against designated terrorist organizations are frequently rejected.
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