Iraq-Syria Border Counterterrorism Grant Program
Summary
The Department of State's Bureau of Counterterrorism announced a $6,808,090 cooperative agreement to strengthen Iraq's border security capabilities along the Iraq-Syria border. The program targets ISIS and Iran-aligned militia groups through capacity building and train-the-trainer initiatives. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, for-profit organizations, and governmental institutions. Applications close June 8, 2026.
What changed
The Bureau of Counterterrorism published a new funding opportunity under Global Counterterrorism Programs (19.701) to address terrorist threats along Iraq's western border. The program will fund projects that build sustainable Iraqi civilian law enforcement capabilities to respond to attacks and dismantle illicit transit networks, including a train-the-trainer component to reduce long-term U.S. resource commitments.
This represents an increase in counterterrorism grantmaking related to Middle East regional stability. Prospective applicants should assess alignment of their capabilities with border security, counterterrorism capacity building, and train-the-trainer program objectives. Organizations should monitor Grants.gov for application guidance and eligibility clarifications prior to the June 8, 2026 closing date.
What to do next
- Review eligibility requirements for not-for-profit, educational, and governmental applicants
- Prepare application addressing Iraq-Syria border counterterrorism and capacity building
- Submit application by the June 8, 2026 deadline
Archived snapshot
Apr 15, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Preventing Iranian Proxy and ISIS Activities Along Iraq’s Western Border
Agency: Bureau of Counterterrorism
Assistance Listings: 19.701 -- Global Counterterrorism Programs
Last Updated: April 14, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) announces this funding opportunity to strengthen Iraq’s ability to investigate and respond to terrorist attacks and incursions along the Iraq-Syria border during a critical period of regional transition. This program should deliver concrete returns for American taxpayers by reducing threats to U.S. diplomatic and military facilities, safeguarding American commercial operations, and preventing terrorist attacks that endanger Americans abroad.
The proliferation of Iran-aligned militia groups (IAMGs) and continued presence of ISIS in the... region have created a fragile security environment with elevated risks of border exploitation for weapons, explosives, and human smuggling. Porous borders enable IAMGs and other terrorist organizations to move personnel, material, and illicit goods that directly threaten U.S. personnel, American commercial interests, and regional stability affecting U.S. security.
Recent events illustrate the ongoing threat from IAMGs, who attacked numerous U.S. personnel and facilities in Erbil and Baghdad since February 28. They have historically conducted rocket and drone attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities, military installations, and commercial facilities. By supporting Iraq’s border security capabilities, this program reduces terrorist operational capacity that threatens U.S. interests.
This program should be designed to reduce Iraq’s long-term dependency on U.S. taxpayer resources by building sustainable Iraqi civilian law enforcement capabilities to independently respond to attacks and dismantle illicit transit networks. Consistent with the 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS)’s principle of “burden-sharing and burden-shifting,” this program should include a train-the-trainer component to enable Iraqi civilian forces to establish an Iraqi-owned training capability, reducing long-term U.S. resource commitments. Show full description
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Unrestricted
Additional information
Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
Public and private educational institutions
For-profit organizations (only if allowed by appropriation)
Public International Organizations (PIOs) and Governmental institutions
Grantor contact information
Description
--
Documents
No documents are currently available.
Link to additional information
Link to Opportunity in MyGrants
Closing: June 8, 2026
Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
$--
Program Funding
1
Expected awards
$6,808,090
Award Minimum
$6,808,090
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
DFOP0018090
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Law justice and legal services
Category Explanation:
Counterterrorism
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
April 14, 2026
Archive date:
--
Named provisions
Related changes
Get daily alerts for Grants.gov Open Opportunities
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Source
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from DOS.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when Grants.gov Open Opportunities publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.