Countering Weaponized Migration to Central and Eastern Europe

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, is soliciting proposals under solicitation DFOP0019651 to analyze and counter the weaponization of migration by malign foreign governments and their proxies. The program focuses on how state and state-backed criminal actors lure migrants from Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East into Central and Eastern European democracies to destabilize these regions and stoke social tensions. The objective is to develop strategic approaches to expose and mitigate these geopolitical tactics. The estimated project value is 349,105 USD, with a performance period typically ranging from 24 to 36 months. Proposals will be evaluated based on the quality and feasibility of the program idea, organizational capacity, program planning, budget, sustainability, and the monitoring and evaluation plan. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with a Unique Entity Identifier and adhere to 2 CFR 200 regulations. Key compliance requirements include the Fly America Act, anti-trafficking certifications for services performed outside the U.S., and restrictions on FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft systems. Submissions must be filed electronically via MyGrants or Grants.gov by August 28, 2026. Required documentation includes a proposal narrative limited to 15 pages, a detailed budget and budget narrative, a monitoring and evaluation plan, and key personnel descriptions. The project's success will be measured through output-based and outcome-based indicators tracked via a mandatory M&E Tracker.