Strategic Trade Control Assistance to Mexico | ISN ISNECC 17 006

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Strategic Trade Control Assistance to Mexico (ISN ISNECC 17 006)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled Strategic Trade Control Assistance to Mexico.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is ISN ISNECC 17 006.

Which U.S. government department and bureau administer this program?

This is a U.S. Department of State program administered by the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.901.

What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

It was offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement. That means the U.S. government expected to remain involved in guiding or coordinating the work as it is carried out, rather than issuing a fully hands-off grant.

When was the program created?

The program was created on February 17, 2017.

What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was March 22, 2017.

What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?

The listed award ceiling is $225,000.

What is the central purpose of the program?

The central purpose is to strengthen Mexico's strategic trade controls so that sensitive goods, technologies, and related services are not exported, re-exported, moved through transit or transshipment, financed, or brokered in ways that could support the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or other proliferation-related activities.

What kinds of risky activities is the program trying to prevent?

The program targets transfers or support activities that could contribute to proliferation, including export and re-export, transit and transshipment through the country, and indirect pathways like financing and brokering that can be used to obtain controlled items without direct shipment from a source country.

What are the two main focus areas (assistance lines) of the project?

The project focus is split into two assistance lines: (1) licensing capacity and (2) industry outreach.

What does "licensing capacity" mean in this opportunity?

Licensing capacity refers to helping Mexico develop or strengthen the ability to regulate and evaluate licenses related to export and re-export activities, as well as transit and transshipment movements that pass through the country.

Does the licensing track include transit and transshipment controls?

Yes. The licensing capacity line explicitly includes transit and transshipment movements that pass through Mexico.

Does the program cover financing and brokering activities?

Yes. The licensing capacity work explicitly includes regulating financing and brokering, which are described as common pathways proliferators use to obtain controlled items without shipping them directly from a source country.

What types of items does the program consider (tangible vs. intangible)?

The work is aimed at both tangible items (physical goods such as specialized materials, components, and equipment) and intangible items (technology transfers, technical data, software, know-how, and other non-physical forms of assistance).

What practical improvements is the licensing line expected to support?

The stated practical goal is to improve how authorities review and decide on license applications, identify red flags, and prevent transfers that could contribute to proliferation.

What does the "industry outreach" assistance line involve?

Industry outreach involves helping Mexico develop or strengthen targeted outreach to private-sector and operational actors that routinely touch strategic trade, with the aim of improving implementation through greater awareness of controls, obligations, and warning signs.

Which private-sector or operational actors are specifically named for outreach?

The opportunity specifically calls out exporters, distributors, brokers, freight forwarders, port operators, and financial institutions.

Why does the opportunity emphasize outreach beyond government licensing offices?

The opportunity reflects that effective trade controls depend not only on government licensing offices, but also on compliance awareness and cooperation across supply chains and the financial system.

What outcomes is the outreach component intended to support?

It is intended to improve implementation by making regulated parties more aware of controls, obligations, and warning signs, and by encouraging better internal compliance practices so suspicious inquiries or transactions are flagged before problematic transfers occur.

Who is eligible to apply for this funding opportunity?

Eligibility is limited to the listed categories: U.S. nonprofit/non-governmental organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), U.S. educational institutions, and Public International Organizations (PIOs).

Are U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations eligible?

Yes. U.S. nonprofit/non-governmental organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status are eligible, with the exception that this category excludes institutions of higher education.

Are U.S. educational institutions eligible?

Yes. U.S. educational institutions are included in the eligible applicant categories.

Are Public International Organizations (PIOs) eligible?

Yes. Public International Organizations (PIOs) are included as eligible applicants.

What kinds of organizations is the opportunity aimed at supporting as implementers?

It is aimed at organizations that have subject-matter expertise and training capacity to provide hands-on technical assistance, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement support related to export controls and strategic trade compliance.

How does this opportunity approach reducing proliferation risk?

It is designed to reduce proliferation risks by improving Mexico's regulatory and licensing processes while also building stronger partnerships with industries and intermediaries most likely to encounter controlled or high-risk goods and technologies.

Why combine licensing strengthening with industry outreach?

By combining government-side licensing strengthening with private-sector outreach, the program targets both the decision-making systems that authorize sensitive trade and the day-to-day commercial practices that can either reinforce controls or unintentionally create gaps.