Weapons Removal and Abatement

The Department of State Bureau of Political Military Affairs funds humanitarian demining, unexploded ordnance clearance, weapons stockpile security, and small arms destruction globally through CFDA 19.800, with the most recent grant award dated August 1, 2026. The program has remained active across 17 years and 963 total awards, though award velocity has declined from 39 awards in 2024 to 10 in 2026 year-to-date. Combined federal dollars obligated stand at $2.49 billion against $2.5 billion total obligated, indicating minimal cost-share requirements. The assistance-type mix runs predominantly Project Grants at 81 percent of awards with Cooperative Agreements comprising the remaining 19 percent. Department of State is the sole funding agency across the entire portfolio.

Recent funded activities span four core categories: humanitarian mine action and demining in post-conflict zones (Vietnam's $23.7 million UXO and cluster munition clearance, Cambodia's $15.6 million demining, Sri Lanka's $3.5 million demining); unexploded ordnance survey and clearance in high-burden countries (Solomon Islands' $6 million UXO clearance, Laos's incremental funding approaching $40 million in combined awards); weapons stockpile security and capacity building (Tajikistan's $2.15 million national mine action center capacity building, Ecuador's $2 million weapons stockpile security with partner implementers, Gaza's $10 million weapons stockpile security); and global Quick Reaction Force capacity for emergency conventional weapons incidents ($2.2 million cooperative agreement). Awards typically range from $500 thousand to $23.7 million, with multi-year periods of performance spanning 12 to 48 months. Recipients have included international nongovernmental organizations such as the HALO Trust, Mines Advisory Group, Norwegian People's Aid, and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining.

No grant opportunities currently show open due dates; the most recent solicitations closed in mid-2024. The Papua New Guinea UXO and humanitarian mine action opportunity (DFOP0016797, due October 20, 2024, anticipating up to $2.25 million) and the Ukraine humanitarian demining opportunity (DFOP0016616, due July 31, 2024, anticipating up to $26 million in multiple awards) have passed their application deadlines. Applications submit through GrantSolutions.gov and are evaluated competitively and non-competitively at PM/WRA's discretion. All recipients undergo audits under 2 CFR 200, Subpart F, and must expend awards fully during the stated period of performance or return unspent funds to the department. Grants are subject to renewal at PM/WRA discretion based on program priorities, funding availability, and grantee past performance.