Preventing Iranian Proxy and ISIS Activities Along Iraq’s Western Border

Key Facts

Status: Forecasted

Posted date: April 9, 2026

Close date: June 8, 2026

Opportunity ID: 361838

Opportunity number: DFOP0018090

Opportunity category: Discretionary

Agency name: Bureau of Counterterrorism

Agency code: DOS-SCT

Award floor: $6,808,090

Award ceiling: $6,808,090

Cost sharing required: No

Funding Instrument Types
  • Cooperative Agreement
Category of Funding Activity
  • Law, Justice and Legal Services
Eligible Applicants
  • Unrestricted
Tools
Categories (use these for quoted searches)
  • agency_code:dos_sct
  • category_of_funding_activity:law_justice_and_legal_services
  • cost_sharing_or_matching_requirement:false
  • eligible_applicants:unrestricted
  • funding_instrument_type:cooperative_agreement
  • opportunity_category:discretionary
  • status:forecasted
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.

Preventing Iranian Proxy and ISIS Activities Along Iraq’s Western Border
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.
[Forecasted] Preventing Iranian Proxy and ISIS Activities Along Iraq’s Western Border
Forecasted
Bureau of Counterterrorism
Law, Justice and Legal Services
Cooperative Agreement
Unrestricted
2026-04-09