Laboratory Twinning: Genome Sequence Analysis as a Tool Investigating an Alleged Biological Weapons Attack

Background
The Department of State’s Office of the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund (ISN/NDF) is announcing an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The mission of ISN/NDF is to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to support efforts to halt the spread of biological threats. This grant aims to advance NDF’s biological weapons threat reduction priorities by enhancing the capabilities of laboratories in the Global South, specifically in forensic genome sequence analysis.

Grant Details
The project will focus on developing the capabilities of at least two laboratories in Latin America to conduct forensic genome sequence analysis. Key tasks include:

- Selecting suitable laboratories as twinning partners.
- Assessing their current skills through virtual meetings and surveys.
- Designing a training program that includes both in-person and online training modules.
- Conducting technical exchange visits.
- Implementing practical exercises in data analysis.
- Preparing a final data analysis exercise that simulates a realistic investigation scenario.

The project emphasizes building expertise in bioinformatics, epidemiology, and microbiology to identify anomalies in sequencing results that may indicate deliberate modifications.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), foreign-based NGOs, Public International Organizations, Foreign Public Organizations, U.S.-based private/public institutions of higher education, foreign institutions of higher education, U.S. for-profit organizations or businesses, and U.S. Federal Government Entities. Applicants must not have any exclusions listed in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and should not have current debts to the U.S. government.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for this grant is a maximum of 36 months.

Grant Value
The total available funding for this opportunity is $480,000 with an anticipated number of awards ranging from 1 to 2.

Place of Performance
The grant activities will be performed in Latin America.