Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research and Development (R&D) Safety and Security | SFOP0009226

Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0009226

The Department of State, through the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation's Office of the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (ISN/NDF), is offering a discretionary federal funding opportunity focused on the safety and security implications of advanced artificial intelligence during its research and development phase. The grant is framed as an open competition under a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and is aimed at producing a comprehensive assessment of how advanced AI systems could create proliferation and broader security risks while they are being developed, tested, and refined. A central theme is the idea that the R&D pipeline itself can introduce unique vulnerabilities, such as the spread of sensitive capabilities, theft or leakage of models or training data, and pathways for advanced AI to be adapted for harmful uses before safeguards are mature.

The work requested is not limited to deliberate misuse. Applicants are also expected to analyze accidental or unintended negative outcomes arising from advanced AI R&D, including misalignment, meaning scenarios where an AI system behaves in ways that are not consistent with human intent, safety constraints, or policy goals. In practice, this points to a wide range of concerns that could include unsafe emergent behaviors, inadequate testing and evaluation, failures in oversight, or operational pressures that encourage premature deployment. The Department indicates a preference for proposals that fully address the stated scope of work, which is described in more detail in Section II of the formal solicitation, suggesting that the strongest applications will likely present a structured, end-to-end assessment rather than a narrow or purely theoretical treatment.

This opportunity is funded through a cooperative agreement, which typically implies a closer working relationship with the government compared with a standard grant, potentially including more coordination, iterative deliverables, or government involvement during performance. The funding activity category is listed under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and the CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 19.224. The award ceiling is $250,000, with one award expected, so applicants are competing for a single relatively focused project rather than a large multi-award program. Proposals are required to stay within the total funds available under the NOFO.

Eligibility is oriented toward U.S.-based organizations, and the notice states that ISN/NDF invites proposals from non-profit/non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, and for-profit organizations based in the United States. The source data also lists eligible applicants as nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), so applicants would need to reconcile these lines by checking the formal solicitation and ensuring their organizational type is clearly allowable. In any case, the target applicant profile is an organization capable of producing policy-relevant, security-informed research on advanced AI risks, especially as they relate to proliferation, misuse pathways, and governance or risk-reduction measures during AI R&D.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity title, "Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research and Development (R&D) Safety and Security," and the funding opportunity number SFOP0009226. The opportunity was created on October 26, 2022, with an original application deadline of November 28, 2022. Applicants are directed to consult the full solicitation for the specific application requirements, required formats, and the detailed scope of work, implying that compliance, deliverable structure, and alignment with Section II will be important factors in competitiveness.

• The Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research and Development (R&D) Safety and Security" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.224.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 26, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 28, 2022. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for SFOP0009226

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: