Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007827
The grant opportunity titled 21.PMWRA.17May2021.Unsolicited.RFI (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0007827) is an invitation from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA) for eligible organizations to submit unsolicited concept notes related to the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) Program. In practical terms, this is not a standard competitive notice with a fixed pot of money, a promised number of awards, or a guaranteed selection cycle. Instead, PM/WRA is signaling that it is open to reviewing strong, mission-aligned project ideas that organizations develop and submit on their own initiative, particularly ideas that can advance U.S. objectives in reducing harm from conventional weapons and explosive hazards.
The program focus is on conventional weapons destruction and risk reduction activities. The areas specifically called out include small arms and light weapons (SALW) destruction, humanitarian demining, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and victim assistance. SALW destruction generally refers to efforts that safely collect, secure, and physically destroy illicit, surplus, or at-risk weapons and ammunition so they cannot be diverted, trafficked, or misused. Humanitarian demining involves survey, clearance, and land release work to remove landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) so communities can safely return to farmland, roads, schools, and other essential areas. EOD support may include locating, identifying, rendering safe, and disposing of unexploded ordnance and other explosive threats, often paired with technical assistance, training, and systems to strengthen national capacities. Victim assistance can cover medical care, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and socioeconomic inclusion for survivors, as well as support to affected families and communities. The listing also leaves room for "other projects" tied to the CWD Program, which implies PM/WRA may consider additional related approaches when they clearly connect to reducing explosive hazards, improving stockpile safety and security, preventing diversion, and supporting recovery in affected regions.
This opportunity falls under the discretionary funding category and anticipates use of a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument. A cooperative agreement typically means the government expects to have substantial involvement in the project beyond what would occur in a simple grant, such as collaborating on planning, monitoring, reporting, or key technical decisions. The funding activity category is labeled as "Other," and the associated CFDA number is 19.800, which corresponds to Department of State public assistance activities that include weapons removal and abatement programs.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofits that have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, excluding institutions of higher education. In other words, the intended applicants are mission-driven nonprofit organizations with the legal and administrative capacity to manage U.S. government-funded projects, comply with federal assistance requirements, and implement technically complex work in challenging environments, often in coordination with host governments and local partners.
Key administrative details reflect the nature of an unsolicited concept note request rather than a typical announcement of available funding. The opportunity was created on March 17, 2021, with an original closing date of May 17, 2021. The posted award ceiling is listed as 0 and expected awards as 0, which usually indicates that the notice is not committing to a defined funding amount or a set number of awards at the time of posting. Instead, PM/WRA is collecting ideas and may choose to follow up with select organizations for further discussions, request a full proposal, or align promising concepts with future funding decisions depending on policy priorities, available resources, and geographic or thematic needs.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a door-opener for qualified nonprofit implementers to present concise, well-justified project concepts in the conventional weapons destruction space. Strong concept notes in this context would typically articulate the specific explosive hazard or weapons management problem being addressed, the affected population and location, the technical approach and standards to be used, the expected humanitarian and security outcomes, partner roles (including host-nation coordination), a realistic implementation timeline, and a clear rationale for why PM/WRA support is appropriate and impactful.Apply for SFOP0007827
- The Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs - WRA in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "21.PMWRA.17May2021.Unsolicited.RFI" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.800.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 17, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 17, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the 21.PMWRA.17May2021.Unsolicited.RFI opportunity (SFOP0007827)?
It is an invitation from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA) for eligible organizations to submit unsolicited concept notes related to the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) Program. This is not presented as a standard competitive funding notice with a defined amount of funding, a fixed number of awards, or a guaranteed award cycle.
Is this a standard competitive grant solicitation?
No. The posting functions more like an open call for strong, mission-aligned ideas that organizations develop on their own initiative. PM/WRA is signaling that it is willing to review unsolicited concepts and may follow up on promising submissions, but it is not committing to make awards based solely on this notice.
What program does this concept note request relate to?
The request is tied to the U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) Program, focused on reducing harm from conventional weapons and explosive hazards.
What technical areas and activities are specifically included?
The notice calls out conventional weapons destruction and risk reduction activities, including:
- Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) destruction
- Humanitarian demining
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
- Victim assistance
What is meant by SALW destruction in this context?
SALW destruction generally refers to efforts to safely collect, secure, and physically destroy illicit, surplus, or at-risk weapons and ammunition so they cannot be diverted, trafficked, or misused.
What is meant by humanitarian demining?
Humanitarian demining involves survey, clearance, and land release work to remove landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) so communities can safely return to farmland, roads, schools, and other essential areas.
What is included under EOD support?
EOD support may include locating, identifying, rendering safe, and disposing of unexploded ordnance and other explosive threats. The description also indicates this may be paired with technical assistance, training, and systems to strengthen national capacities.
What does victim assistance cover?
Victim assistance can include medical care, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and socioeconomic inclusion for survivors, as well as support to affected families and communities.
Does PM/WRA consider projects beyond the listed focus areas?
The notice leaves room for "other projects" tied to the CWD Program. This suggests PM/WRA may consider additional related approaches when they clearly connect to reducing explosive hazards, improving stockpile safety and security, preventing diversion, and supporting recovery in affected regions.
What type of funding is this categorized under?
The opportunity is listed under the discretionary funding category.
What is the expected funding instrument?
The anticipated instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What does a cooperative agreement imply for project implementation?
A cooperative agreement typically means the U.S. government expects substantial involvement in the project beyond what would occur in a simple grant. The notice describes involvement such as collaboration on planning, monitoring, reporting, or key technical decisions.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA number is 19.800, which corresponds to Department of State public assistance activities that include weapons removal and abatement programs.
Who is eligible to submit an unsolicited concept note?
Eligibility is limited to nonprofits that have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, excluding institutions of higher education.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
No. The eligibility description explicitly excludes institutions of higher education.
What kind of organizations is PM/WRA trying to reach with this request?
The notice indicates PM/WRA is seeking mission-driven nonprofit organizations with the legal and administrative capacity to manage U.S. government-funded projects, comply with federal assistance requirements, and implement technically complex work in challenging environments, often in coordination with host governments and local partners.
What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity was created on March 17, 2021, and the original closing date is May 17, 2021.
Why does the posting show an award ceiling of 0 and expected awards of 0?
The notice explains that this usually indicates the posting is not committing to a defined funding amount or a set number of awards at the time of posting. Instead, PM/WRA is collecting ideas and may decide whether and how to move forward depending on policy priorities, available resources, and geographic or thematic needs.
Does submitting a concept note guarantee funding?
No. The notice describes this as an unsolicited concept note request and emphasizes that it is not a standard notice with a promised number of awards, a fixed pot of money, or a guaranteed selection cycle.
What may happen after an organization submits an unsolicited concept note?
PM/WRA may choose to follow up with select organizations for further discussions, request a full proposal, or align promising concepts with future funding decisions based on priorities and available resources.
What should a strong concept note include, based on this notice?
The notice suggests strong concept notes would typically describe:
- The specific explosive hazard or weapons management problem being addressed
- The affected population and location
- The technical approach and standards to be used
- The expected humanitarian and security outcomes
- Partner roles, including host-nation coordination
- A realistic implementation timeline
- A clear rationale for why PM/WRA support is appropriate and impactful
What overall purpose does this notice serve for eligible nonprofits?
It operates as a door-opener for qualified nonprofit implementers to present concise, well-justified project concepts in the conventional weapons destruction space for PM/WRA to review and potentially support through future engagement.
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