Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0016987
Build Partner Capabilities to Protect Semiconductor and CHIPS Technology is a U.S. government discretionary funding opportunity from the Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation. The basic goal is to help partners outside the United States strengthen their ability to safeguard semiconductors and semiconductor-related research, manufacturing know-how, data, and talent from theft, diversion, or other exploitation. The opportunity is grounded in the idea that semiconductors sit at the center of modern electronics and are also essential inputs for advanced military systems, weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems, and other high-impact dual-use technologies such as artificial intelligence. Because of this, losing control of chips, chipmaking equipment, designs, research results, or specialized expertise can translate directly into strategic and security risks.
The notice emphasizes that “malign actors” actively try to bypass normal business and research practices to gain improper access to semiconductor technology for economic and military advantage. According to the description, these actors take advantage of weak or inconsistent due diligence practices, gaps in physical security, and insufficient cybersecurity. The threat is not limited to theft of finished chips; it also includes the acquisition of manufacturing technology, sensitive research, intellectual property, proprietary data, and even the recruitment or coercion of skilled personnel. A key problem the program aims to address is that many international government bodies, research institutions, and private companies may not fully recognize how easily seemingly civilian semiconductor work can be repurposed for military end uses, leaving them exposed to loss or diversion.
In practical terms, the opportunity is about building partner capabilities, meaning projects would likely focus on improving awareness, policies, procedures, and defenses that reduce the risk of unauthorized transfer or exploitation. While the summary text does not list specific required activities, it clearly signals the areas of concern the program wants to strengthen: stronger due diligence to identify risky customers, partners, and transactions; better physical protection of facilities and sensitive assets; and improved cybersecurity to protect designs, research data, and manufacturing systems. The broader intent is to raise the baseline of protection across global semiconductor and semiconductor-adjacent ecosystems so that research organizations, manufacturers, and government counterparts are less vulnerable to coercion, insider threats, cyber intrusion, and illicit procurement networks.
Eligibility is broad and includes U.S.-based and foreign-based entities across nonprofit, academic, research, international, public, and commercial categories. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based non-profit and non-governmental organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), foreign-based NGOs, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), public international organizations, foreign public organizations, U.S.-based private/public/state institutions of higher education, foreign-based institutions of higher education, and U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses. This wide eligibility suggests the government is open to proposals from groups that can deliver training, technical assistance, capacity-building programs, institutional strengthening, and possibly assessments or implementation support related to security, compliance, and risk management in semiconductor contexts.
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0016987, and the associated CFDA number is 19.033. The award ceiling is $4,000,000, with an expectation of around five awards, indicating a competitive process with a limited number of sizable projects rather than many small grants. The original closing date listed is 2025-01-17. The notice was created on 2024-10-25. The funding instrument type is listed as “Other,” and the activity category is also listed as “Other,” which typically means applicants should read the full notice carefully for the exact structure, allowable costs, and programmatic requirements.
Overall, this opportunity is aimed at reducing global vulnerabilities that allow sensitive semiconductor technology, research, and expertise to be diverted toward destabilizing military or WMD-related ends. It prioritizes raising awareness of dual-use risk and putting concrete safeguards in place across due diligence, physical security, and cybersecurity so that legitimate innovation and commerce can continue without inadvertently strengthening illicit or hostile capabilities.Apply for DFOP0016987
- The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Build Partner Capabilities to Protect Semiconductor and CHIPS Technology" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.033.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-10-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Build Partner Capabilities to Protect Semiconductor and CHIPS Technology.
Which U.S. government office is offering this grant?
It is a U.S. government discretionary funding opportunity from the Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.
What is the main goal of the program?
The basic goal is to help partners outside the United States strengthen their ability to safeguard semiconductors and semiconductor-related research, manufacturing know-how, data, and talent from theft, diversion, or other exploitation.
Why does the program focus on semiconductors?
The notice emphasizes that semiconductors sit at the center of modern electronics and are essential inputs for advanced military systems, weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems, and other high-impact dual-use technologies such as artificial intelligence. Because of this, losing control of chips, chipmaking equipment, designs, research results, or specialized expertise can translate into strategic and security risks.
What risks or threats is this program trying to address?
The program targets risks including unauthorized access, theft, diversion, or exploitation of semiconductor technology and related assets. The notice describes “malign actors” who seek improper access for economic and military advantage, including through weak or inconsistent due diligence, gaps in physical security, and insufficient cybersecurity.
What kinds of semiconductor-related assets are considered sensitive under this opportunity?
Based on the description, the scope goes beyond finished chips and includes manufacturing technology, chipmaking equipment, designs, sensitive research, intellectual property, proprietary data, manufacturing systems, and even specialized expertise and talent.
Does the opportunity address insider threats or personnel targeting?
Yes. The description notes that threats can include the recruitment or coercion of skilled personnel, and the broader intent includes reducing vulnerability to coercion and insider threats.
Who are the intended partners or beneficiaries?
The opportunity is intended to help partners outside the United States, including international government bodies, research institutions, and private companies, especially where they may not fully recognize how semiconductor work can be repurposed for military end uses.
What types of projects are likely to be a good fit?
While the summary does not list specific required activities, it clearly signals a focus on building partner capabilities through improved awareness, policies, procedures, and defenses. Likely project themes include strengthening due diligence, improving physical protection of facilities and sensitive assets, and improving cybersecurity to protect designs, research data, and manufacturing systems.
What does “building partner capabilities” mean in practice?
In practical terms, it suggests projects that help organizations and institutions improve how they identify and reduce risk, such as capacity-building programs, institutional strengthening, and support that helps partners implement stronger safeguards across compliance, security, and risk management in semiconductor contexts.
Is the program focused only on cyber threats?
No. The description highlights multiple risk areas, including due diligence practices, physical security gaps, and cybersecurity weaknesses. The intent is to raise baseline protection across the ecosystem, not just digital security.
What are examples of the risk areas the notice highlights?
The notice highlights (1) stronger due diligence to identify risky customers, partners, and transactions, (2) better physical protection of facilities and sensitive assets, and (3) improved cybersecurity to protect designs, research data, and manufacturing systems.
How does this opportunity relate to dual-use concerns?
The program is grounded in the idea that seemingly civilian semiconductor work can be repurposed for military end uses. It prioritizes raising awareness of dual-use risk and putting safeguards in place so legitimate innovation and commerce can continue without inadvertently strengthening illicit or hostile capabilities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes U.S.-based and foreign-based entities across nonprofit, academic, research, international, public, and commercial categories.
Are U.S.-based nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based non-profit and non-governmental organizations, with or without 501(c)(3) status.
Are foreign-based NGOs eligible?
Yes. Foreign-based NGOs are listed as eligible applicants.
Are universities and higher education institutions eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based private/public/state institutions of higher education as well as foreign-based institutions of higher education.
Are federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) eligible?
Yes. FFRDCs are explicitly included in the eligible applicant categories.
Are public international organizations or foreign public organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligible categories include public international organizations and foreign public organizations.
Are U.S. for-profit companies eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses are listed as eligible applicants.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0016987.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA number is 19.033.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $4,000,000.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity indicates an expectation of around five awards.
When is the application closing date?
The original closing date listed is 2025-01-17.
When was the notice created?
The notice was created on 2024-10-25.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is listed as Other.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed as Other.
What does it mean that the funding instrument and activity category are listed as “Other”?
Based on the summary, “Other” typically indicates applicants should read the full notice carefully for the exact structure, allowable costs, and programmatic requirements.
What is the overall intended impact of the program?
Overall, the program aims to reduce global vulnerabilities that allow sensitive semiconductor technology, research, and expertise to be diverted toward destabilizing military or WMD-related ends by raising awareness and strengthening due diligence, physical security, and cybersecurity practices across the semiconductor and semiconductor-adjacent ecosystem.
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