Countering Terrorist Recruitment of Central Asian Foreign Workers

The Countering Terrorist Recruitment of Central Asian Foreign Workers grant opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of State through the Bureau of Counterterrorism. This program is part of the federal government’s broader international security and counterterrorism strategy, aimed at addressing evolving threats posed by extremist organizations. The Bureau of Counterterrorism focuses on disrupting terrorist networks, preventing radicalization, and strengthening the capacity of international partners to counter terrorism. This specific funding opportunity reflects growing concerns about the use of digital platforms and transnational labor migration channels as vectors for terrorist recruitment. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to counter the online radicalization and recruitment activities of ISIS-K targeting Central Asian foreign workers, particularly those who are Tajik and Uzbek speakers. The program seeks to address vulnerabilities among migrant labor populations who may be isolated, socially disconnected, or exposed to extremist messaging through digital channels. ISIS-K has increasingly leveraged multilingual propaganda across social media platforms, gaming environments, and emerging technologies such as generative artificial intelligence to recruit individuals. This project is designed to disrupt those recruitment pipelines and reduce the risk of radicalization that could lead to attacks against U.S. interests. Funding for this opportunity is provided through a cooperative agreement, with a total award amount set at $986,679. Only one award is expected to be made under this announcement, indicating a highly targeted and specialized project scope. The funding is intended to support a comprehensive set of interventions, including online engagement strategies, digital literacy training, and community-based outreach. Additional allowable activities include strengthening trust between communities and law enforcement, enhancing digital forensic capabilities, and improving information-sharing systems that support counterterrorism efforts. Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity include a broad range of organizations such as nonprofit entities, think tanks, civil society organizations, public and private educational institutions, for-profit organizations where permitted, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. Applicants are expected to demonstrate the capacity to implement complex, multi-faceted counterterrorism programs and to collaborate effectively with international partners. The program emphasizes partnerships with non-governmental organizations and subject matter experts to ensure culturally appropriate and technically effective interventions. The application process requires submission through the appropriate federal grant systems, with applicants expected to provide detailed proposals outlining their approach to addressing terrorist recruitment among Central Asian migrant populations. Proposals should include strategies for early intervention, community engagement, and law enforcement collaboration. Applicants must also outline how they will measure program effectiveness and contribute to long-term counterterrorism outcomes. While specific application components are not detailed in the synopsis, standard federal grant application requirements are expected to apply. Applications will be evaluated based on their alignment with program objectives, the feasibility and innovation of proposed activities, and the applicant’s organizational capacity to execute the project. Emphasis will be placed on approaches that effectively disrupt online recruitment, enhance investigative capabilities, and build sustainable partnerships with local and international stakeholders. The cooperative agreement structure suggests ongoing collaboration between the recipient and the Department of State throughout the project lifecycle. Key dates for this funding opportunity include a posting date of May 8, 2026, and an application deadline of June 9, 2026. The program does not indicate a recurring funding cycle, and the award is expected to support a single, focused initiative. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Bureau of Counterterrorism for additional information or clarification during the application period. This opportunity represents a strategic investment in countering emerging terrorist threats through targeted, technology-driven interventions.

Focus on disrupting online recruitment pipelines; include strong digital strategy; demonstrate partnerships with law enforcement and NGOs; emphasize measurable counterterrorism impact