Yemen Counter Smuggling Investigations | DFOP0017368

Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0017368

The Yemen Counter Smuggling Investigations opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DFOP0017368) is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Counterterrorism, offered through a cooperative agreement. Its core purpose is to support specialized training for Yemeni law enforcement focused on investigating cross-border weapons smuggling. The program is framed as a capacity-building effort aimed at strengthening investigative skills and practices that can disrupt illicit trafficking networks and improve Yemen's ability to identify, pursue, and document smuggling-related offenses.

The opportunity specifically emphasizes subject matter expertise in countering the trafficking of small arms, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), and dual-use items. In practice, this implies training content that goes beyond basic interdiction and touches the investigative lifecycle: recognizing trafficking indicators, developing leads, evidence collection and preservation, investigative interviewing, case development, coordination across units or jurisdictions, and producing case files that can stand up to internal review or legal proceedings. The mention of UAS and dual-use items suggests an interest in emerging and technically complex smuggling trends, including components, parts, or technologies that may have legitimate civilian uses but can be repurposed for hostile or destabilizing activity. The listing also signals that the implementing organization should be capable of tailoring training to real operational conditions on the ground, including the constraints and risks associated with cross-border smuggling environments.

A key expectation is that selected applicant(s) bring both technical and contextual capability: language skills and cultural expertise necessary to work effectively in Yemen are explicitly called out. That typically means the ability to deliver training in a way that is understood and adopted by local personnel, with materials and scenarios that align with Yemeni operational realities, and with trainers or staff who can engage credibly with participants. Because the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, the agency is likely to have substantial involvement in the project during implementation, which usually translates to closer coordination on work plans, deliverables, reporting, and potential adjustments as the program runs.

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. The activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services, and the CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 19.701. The posted award ceiling is $3,946,719, indicating the maximum funding level anticipated under the announcement. The original closing date is July 30, 2025, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of July 17, 2025. The listing notes "Expected Awards: 0," which can reflect how the opportunity was entered in the system rather than a guarantee of no awards; it may indicate that the number of awards is not specified or is contingent on available funding and application quality.

Overall, the grant is designed for a qualified nonprofit implementer that can deliver advanced, investigation-focused counter-smuggling training to Yemeni law enforcement, with particular emphasis on small arms trafficking, UAS-related trafficking, and dual-use items, while also having the language and cultural readiness to operate in the Yemeni context under a cooperative agreement structure.

• The Bureau of Counterterrorism in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Yemen Counter Smuggling Investigations" 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 2025-07-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-07-30. (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 $3,946,719.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for DFOP0017368

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