Mitigating Proliferation Risks Posed by Artificial Intelligence Enabled Molecular Models and Leveraging Nonproliferation Opportunities | DFOP0016949

Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0016949

The U.S. Department of State, through the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation and its Office of the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (ISN/NDF), is soliciting proposals for projects focused on reducing proliferation risks tied to artificial intelligence enabled molecular and chemical design models, while also capturing potential nonproliferation benefits those tools might offer. This is an open, competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity that will support work aimed at identifying where AI driven molecular modeling could be misused for chemical weapons related purposes, evaluating the realism and severity of those risks, and developing practical safeguards that can be adopted by the relevant communities (for example, model developers, platform providers, labs, and other stakeholders). The emphasis is on actionable risk reduction: understanding the threat pathways and putting in place controls or mitigation measures that meaningfully lower the chances of harmful use without unnecessarily blocking legitimate science and innovation.

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically means the government expects an active partnership during the project, not just a hands off grant. Projects are expected to align with NDFs mission and address either all of the main objectives described in the NOFO (referenced as Section II) or a well defined, clearly justified subset. Applicants are also asked to state whether their proposal includes collaboration with a partner organization that is separately submitting a response to the same solicitation, which signals that teaming arrangements and coordinated multi organization efforts are acceptable, but should be transparent and well explained.

In practical terms, the program is looking for efforts that help the U.S. government and the broader international community get ahead of the security implications of rapidly improving AI systems that can propose new molecules, optimize synthesis routes, or accelerate chemical discovery. Competitive proposals would likely include some mix of technical assessment (how capable these models really are, what data or access is needed to make them dangerous, and what barriers exist), policy and governance design (what norms, standards, or oversight mechanisms could reduce misuse), and implementable safeguards (such as screening approaches, controlled access methods, auditability, red teaming and evaluation frameworks, model and dataset governance, user vetting concepts, or other guardrails appropriate to chemical design and related workflows). The NOFO also signals interest in leveraging nonproliferation opportunities, meaning applicants can propose ways AI could strengthen detection, compliance, monitoring, risk assessment, or other protective measures, as long as the work remains grounded in the central nonproliferation mission.

Eligibility is broad and includes public and state controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for profit organizations (including small businesses), and international organizations. The opportunity is classified as discretionary and falls under CFDA number 19.224. The maximum award size (award ceiling) is $4,000,000, with an anticipated total of three awards, indicating a program designed for a small number of relatively substantial projects rather than many small grants. Applications were due by November 12, 2024, and the opportunity was created on September 18, 2024, under funding opportunity number DFOP0016949.

Overall, this solicitation is best read as an effort to build a concrete body of evidence and tools around AI enabled chemical design risk management: clarifying what the real proliferation risks are, where they are most likely to emerge, and what safeguards are both technically feasible and adoptable in real world research and development environments. It is also an invitation for capable organizations to help shape practical, implementable nonproliferation protections at the intersection of AI, chemistry, and international security, with the expectation that proposals stay within available funds and clearly map proposed work to the NDF objectives described in the NOFO.

• The Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mitigating Proliferation Risks Posed by Artificial Intelligence Enabled Molecular Models and Leveraging Nonproliferation Opportunities" 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 2024-09-18.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-11-12. (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 $4,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for DFOP0016949

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