Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0018094
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT), is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement titled "Protecting U.S. Critical Energy Investments Through C-UAS and UAS Surveillance Capabilities in Iraq" (Opportunity Number DFOP0018094, CFDA 19.701). The central purpose is to protect American economic interests, U.S. personnel, and broader U.S. national security objectives by strengthening the Government of Iraq's ability to counter unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) threats and by improving Iraqi capacity to protect critical infrastructure, especially infrastructure tied to the energy sector where U.S. companies hold substantial investments.
The opportunity is driven by the growing and persistent threat posed by drones used by Iran and Iran-aligned militia groups (IAMGs). The notice highlights that UAS attacks have already targeted U.S. facilities in places such as Erbil and Baghdad, demonstrating both intent and operational capability to strike American interests. By improving Iraq's defensive and surveillance posture against hostile drones, the program aims to reduce the risk of attacks on U.S. commercial energy assets and lower the threat level facing American citizens and personnel working in Iraq.
Programmatically, the grant is expected to support two complementary lines of effort. First, it should improve Iraq's ability to detect, track, and respond to hostile or malicious drone activity (the core C-UAS function). Second, it should advance proactive UAS-enabled surveillance capabilities that can help Iraqi security forces monitor and secure critical infrastructure more effectively. The underlying idea is that better monitoring and faster response can deter attacks, limit operational freedom for hostile actors, and reduce the likelihood that drone threats disrupt energy production or endanger U.S.-linked sites and personnel.
The Department frames the work as aligned with major U.S. national security guidance, specifically the Department of State Agency Strategic Plan for FY 2026-2030, the 2025 National Security Strategy, and NSPM-2 on countering Iran and Iran-aligned militia groups. In practical terms, the program is meant to degrade the operational effectiveness of adversary drone activity while directly protecting U.S. interests tied to Iraq's energy sector.
A key expectation running through the notice is sustainability and burden reduction over time. The program should be designed to reduce Iraq's long-term dependence on U.S. taxpayer resources by building Iraqi civilian law enforcement and security capabilities that can be maintained independently. That includes developing durable capacity to protect critical infrastructure, conduct surveillance operations, and respond to UAS threats without requiring ongoing external support at the same level.
The maximum award amount is $6,808,090, with the Department anticipating a single award. Applications are due by June 8, 2026, and the opportunity was posted on April 29, 2026. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, and eligible applicant types include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/NGOs), public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations where permitted by appropriation, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.Apply for DFOP0018094
- The Bureau of Counterterrorism in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Protecting U.S. Critical Energy Investments Through C-UAS and UAS Surveillance Capabilities in Iraq" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.701.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-04-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-08. (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 $6,808,090.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement titled "Protecting U.S. Critical Energy Investments Through C-UAS and UAS Surveillance Capabilities in Iraq."
What agency is offering this award?
The award is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT).
What is the Opportunity Number and CFDA number?
Opportunity Number: DFOP0018094. CFDA: 19.701.
What is the purpose of this cooperative agreement?
The central purpose is to protect American economic interests, U.S. personnel, and broader U.S. national security objectives by strengthening the Government of Iraq's ability to counter unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) threats and improving Iraq's capacity to protect critical infrastructure, especially energy sector infrastructure tied to substantial U.S. company investments.
Why is this program being offered now?
The opportunity is driven by a growing and persistent threat from drones used by Iran and Iran-aligned militia groups (IAMGs). The notice cites past UAS attacks targeting U.S. facilities in locations such as Erbil and Baghdad as evidence of intent and capability to strike American interests.
What types of threats does the program focus on?
The program focuses on hostile or malicious unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) activity, particularly UAS threats linked to Iran and Iran-aligned militia groups.
Where will the work take place?
The program focus is Iraq, with emphasis on protecting critical infrastructure there, especially energy-sector infrastructure connected to U.S. investments.
What are the main program components or lines of effort?
The notice describes two complementary lines of effort: (1) improving Iraq's ability to detect, track, and respond to hostile or malicious drone activity (core C-UAS capability), and (2) advancing proactive UAS-enabled surveillance capabilities so Iraqi security forces can monitor and secure critical infrastructure more effectively.
What does "C-UAS" mean in this notice?
In this context, C-UAS refers to counter-unmanned aircraft systems capabilities aimed at detecting, tracking, and responding to hostile or malicious drone activity.
What does "UAS-enabled surveillance" mean in this notice?
It refers to using unmanned aircraft systems as a surveillance tool to proactively monitor and help secure critical infrastructure, improving situational awareness and enabling faster response to threats.
How does this program protect U.S. interests?
By improving Iraq's defensive and surveillance posture against hostile drones, the program aims to reduce the risk of attacks on U.S. commercial energy assets and lower the threat level for American citizens and personnel working in Iraq.
What outcomes is the Department aiming for?
The notice emphasizes degrading the operational effectiveness of adversary drone activity, improving monitoring and response, deterring attacks, limiting hostile actors' operational freedom, and reducing disruptions to energy production or risks to U.S.-linked sites and personnel.
How is this opportunity aligned with U.S. national security guidance?
The Department states the work aligns with the Department of State Agency Strategic Plan for FY 2026-2030, the 2025 National Security Strategy, and NSPM-2 on countering Iran and Iran-aligned militia groups.
What does sustainability mean for this program?
Sustainability is framed as building Iraqi civilian law enforcement and security capabilities that can be maintained independently over time, reducing long-term dependence on U.S. taxpayer resources while retaining the ability to protect infrastructure, conduct surveillance operations, and respond to UAS threats.
Is the Department expecting one award or multiple awards?
The Department anticipates making a single award.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum award amount is $6,808,090.
What type of award instrument is this?
This is a discretionary cooperative agreement.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on April 29, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
Applications are due by June 8, 2026.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted. Eligible applicant types include not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/NGOs), public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations where permitted by appropriation, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.
Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?
Yes, for-profit organizations are eligible where permitted by appropriation, as stated in the notice.
Are NGOs and think tanks eligible?
Yes. The notice lists not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/NGOs, as eligible applicant types.
Are educational institutions eligible?
Yes. Both public and private educational institutions are listed as eligible.
Are governmental institutions eligible?
Yes. Governmental institutions are listed among eligible applicant types.
Are public international organizations eligible?
Yes. Public international organizations are included in the eligible applicant types.
What does "unrestricted eligibility" mean here?
Based on the notice, it means the opportunity is open to a broad set of applicant categories (nonprofits, educational institutions, certain for-profits, public international organizations, and governmental institutions), rather than being limited to a narrow class of applicants.
What kinds of infrastructure are prioritized?
The notice highlights critical infrastructure, especially infrastructure tied to the energy sector where U.S. companies have substantial investments.
How does the program address threats to energy production?
It aims to improve monitoring and speed of response to drone threats so attacks are deterred or disrupted and the likelihood of UAS-related disruption to energy production is reduced.
Does the notice emphasize building Iraqi capacity rather than direct U.S. operations?
Yes. The program is explicitly framed around strengthening the Government of Iraq's capabilities and reducing long-term reliance on U.S. taxpayer resources through independently maintainable Iraqi civilian law enforcement and security capabilities.
What are the two broad capability areas the program seeks to strengthen?
(1) Counter-UAS capability (detect, track, and respond to hostile or malicious drones) and (2) UAS-enabled surveillance capability to improve monitoring and security of critical infrastructure.
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