Defense Threat Reduction Agency · Department of Defense
Fundamental Research to Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Sep 30, 2034 · 2915 days left
- Award size
- Not specified — see notice
- Total available
- $500M · about 10 awards
- Cost share / match ?
- Not required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Anyone (unrestricted)
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
Before you apply: federal grants require an active SAM.gov registration (Unique Entity ID) and a Grants.gov account. Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Grant-ready checklist
How this fits you
- Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
- No cost share required
- Tennessee recipients since 2023: 4
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/8faea2b6-4c0b-4e8d-ba24-f637ba6e7bcc · Printed from grantme.click/grants/f2078a3c-495d-487b-81d9-80226342e321
Read the official notice View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar Sign in to save
About this grant
Eligibility (from the notice)
Should we apply? (2-minute check) Ask a partner for a letter
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct7
Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov - Sep9
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment
Suggested: partners need time to write and sign letters. - Sep25
Finish a complete draft for a final review
University grant offices require final versions about 5 business days before the sponsor deadline. Emory Office of Sponsored Programs - Sep28
Submit
Grants.gov: submit at least 24–48 hours before the deadline: uploads fail, systems slow down, errors need fixing. Grants.gov blog - Sep30
Deadline
From the funder.
Save this grant to put these dates in your tracker and private calendar.
What the official notice requires
Pulled from the funding notice HDTRA125S0001_BTopicsRelease_Final_V2.pdf (60 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words; open the page to read it in context. The notice itself always controls.
Award size and project length
Award amounts here are per year · p. 4
“Grants may range from small dollar value (e.g., $25K) up to $1M annually (total, including both direct and indirect costs) depending on the nature and the scope of work.” Open page 4
Registrations you need first
SAM.gov · p. 6
“This BAA, in addition to any amendments issued in conjunction with this BAA, will be posted to the Grant Opportunities Website (https://www.grants.gov) and the System for Award Management website (https://sam.gov/).Applicants are responsible for monitoring…” Open page 6
Grants.gov · p. 13
“Block 4c – Previous Grants.gov Tracking ID.” Open page 13
Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 21
“All organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the SAM and will receive a unique entity identifier (UEI) number.” Open page 21
New to these? SAM.gov registration can take weeks, so start early: grant-ready checklist.
Steps before the deadline
Pre-application · p. 4
“All submissions (pre-application white papers and invited proposals) must be made in accordance with the submission instructions in this BAA through www.grants.gov using the application packages linked with this BAA (under the “Package” tab) on www.grants.gov.” Open page 4
Pre-application · p. 9
“Federal laboratories (including DoD and DOE) and FFRDCs are eligible to submit abstracts (when required), pre-application white papers, and proposals in response to the Government Call (HDTRA1-25-34-FRCWMD-Call).” Open page 9
Pre-application · p. 10
“This announcement contains all information required to submit a pre-application white paper and invited proposal.” Open page 10
Pre-application · p. 10
“The required application packages for the pre-application white papers and for the invited proposals are posted with this announcement.” Open page 10
What to submit
Project abstract or summary · p. 3
“If the submission is not feasible within this 45 calendar day window, the abstract must be coordinated again to ensure the interest in the white paper remains.” Open page 3
Form SF-424 · p. 10
“Form Name Phase I Pre-Application White Paper Phase II Invited Proposal SF-424 (R&R) Application for Federal Assistance Form Required Required RR Budget Form N/A Required R&R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form(s) N/A If Applicable Research & Related…” Open page 10
Form SF-LLL · p. 10
“Form Name Phase I Pre-Application White Paper Phase II Invited Proposal SF-424 (R&R) Application for Federal Assistance Form Required Required RR Budget Form N/A Required R&R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form(s) N/A If Applicable Research & Related…” Open page 10
Budget narrative / justification · p. 15
“Applicants are required to submit a budget justification.” Open page 15
Resumes or bios of key staff · p. 16
“A biographical sketch is required for each PI and Co-PI on the project.” Open page 16
Length limits
References: 4 pages max · p. 12
“References may be included within the 4-page limit at the discretion of the applicant; however, extensive references are not required.” Open page 12
1 page max · p. 16
“DTRA does not have a preference for the format of the biographical sketch; however, it should be limited to 1 page per person.” Open page 16
20 pages max · p. 17
“The uploaded technical proposal must not exceed 20 pages (including references).” Open page 17
Formatting rules
12-point font, 1-inch margins, single-spaced · p. 12
“A page is defined as 8 ½ x 11 inches, single-spaced, with one-inch margins in type not smaller than 12 point Times New Roman font.” Open page 12
Cost share or match
Cost share / match · p. 9
“In general, cost sharing or matching is not required for applications to this announcement.” Open page 9
Mistakes that get applications rejected
Could get your application rejected · p. 12
“Hard copies or email attachments of applications will not be accepted.” Open page 12
Could get your application rejected · p. 20
“Movie and sound file attachments will not be accepted.” Open page 20
Could get your application rejected · p. 24
“Any criterion scored as “Unacceptable (U)” will render the pre-application white paper “Not Selectable,” and the pre-application white paper will not be considered further.” Open page 24
Could get your application rejected · p. 24
“Any criterion scored as “Unacceptable (U)” will render the proposal “Not Selectable,” and the proposal will not be considered further.” Open page 24
Could get your application rejected · p. 46
“Pre- application white papers and proposals that outline scope and effort for different base period and option combinations may also be considered; however, note that pre-application whitepapers and proposals that outline scope and effort that exceed a total…” Open page 46
Could get your application rejected · p. 54
“Pre-application white papers and proposals that outline scope and effort for different base period and option combinations may also be considered; however, note that pre-application white papers and proposals that outline scope and effort that exceed a total…” Open page 54
Who in Tennessee has won this program
4 awards to Tennessee recipients in 2 counties since federal FY2023. Largest shown:
| Recipient | Where | Amount | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $4.3M | 2017 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $3M | 2018 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $1.7M | 2018 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $1.7M | 2013 |
Source: USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds; they don't guarantee future awards.
About the program (12.351)
Scientific Research - Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction