RFAs: Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Security Grant Program (Norway)

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Security Grant Program provides approximately NOK 4.5 million—about $486,000—to experienced non-profit organizations working on nuclear and biological weapons, arms-control compliance, cyber security norms, and autonomous weapons governance. Applicants may propose one-year or multi-year initiatives implemented between 2026 and 2029, including joint projects led by one designated grant recipient.

About the Grant Program

The program supports civil society initiatives that advance international disarmament, non-proliferation, arms control, and security. Funding is intended to strengthen international cooperation through: - Policy dialogue - Research and analysis - Capacity-building - Treaty implementation - Compliance support - Verification initiatives - Stakeholder engagement - Development of international norms - Cross-border cooperation Projects should contribute to practical progress on major international security challenges. Purpose of the Call for Proposals The call aims to strengthen international efforts to prevent the spread and use of nuclear and biological weapons while advancing responsible approaches to cyber operations and autonomous weapons systems.

Its objectives include:

- Promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation - Supporting biological weapons prevention - Strengthening compliance with international treaties - Advancing disarmament verification - Contributing to upcoming treaty review processes - Developing norms for responsible state behavior in cyberspace - Addressing security risks associated with emerging technologies - Encouraging dialogue among governments, experts, and civil society - Building institutional and technical capacity Priority Funding Areas The program focuses on nuclear weapons, biological weapons, cyber security, autonomous weapons systems, and compliance with key international instruments. Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Projects may support efforts to reduce nuclear risks and strengthen the global nuclear non-proliferation framework.

Relevant activities may include:

- Nuclear policy dialogue - Non-proliferation research - Risk-reduction initiatives - Nuclear disarmament education - Expert engagement - Confidence-building measures - Participation of underrepresented stakeholders - Analysis of treaty implementation - Development of practical policy recommendations Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Processes Priority will be given to initiatives that contribute to upcoming review processes under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Projects may:

- Convene policy discussions - Produce evidence-based recommendations - Engage states and civil society - Support participation in review meetings - Examine implementation challenges - Build agreement around practical priorities - Increase understanding of treaty obligations - Facilitate dialogue across regions and political positions Applications should identify the relevant review process and explain how the proposed work will contribute to it. Nuclear Disarmament Verification The program supports initiatives advancing credible methods for verifying nuclear disarmament commitments.

Activities may include:

- Technical research - Verification methodology development - Expert workshops - Capacity-building - Simulation or demonstration exercises - Policy analysis - International cooperation - Engagement between technical and diplomatic communities Applicants should explain how their work will improve the feasibility, credibility, or practical application of nuclear disarmament verification. Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Projects may support implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.

Potential areas of work include:

- Treaty implementation support - Biological risk reduction - Compliance-related capacity-building - Biosafety and biosecurity - Awareness among relevant institutions - Policy dialogue - Scientific and technical engagement - Preparedness against biological threats - Responsible conduct in the life sciences - International cooperation and assistance Projects should maintain a clear connection to biological weapons prevention and international security. Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty The program welcomes initiatives supporting the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and its objectives.

Activities may include:

- Promoting treaty implementation - Building technical or policy capacity - Supporting verification awareness - Encouraging international cooperation - Engaging policymakers and experts - Strengthening knowledge of nuclear-test monitoring - Advancing dialogue on the treaty’s universalization and effectiveness Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace Projects may address the development and implementation of norms governing state behavior in cyberspace.

Relevant initiatives may focus on:

- International cyber norms - Confidence-building measures - Application of international law - Responsible state conduct - Cyber diplomacy - Capacity-building for policymakers - Cooperation across regions - Protection of international peace and security - Engagement between governments, experts, and civil society Applications should distinguish international security and policy activities from general digital-literacy or commercial cybersecurity projects. Autonomous Weapons and Emerging Technologies The program also supports work addressing autonomous weapons systems and other emerging technologies with implications for international security.

Projects may examine:

- Governance of autonomous weapons - Human control over the use of force - Artificial intelligence in military systems - Ethical, legal, and security implications - International regulation - Policy and technical standards - Risk assessment - Transparency and accountability - Development of international norms - Multilateral dialogue Proposals should demonstrate a clear connection between the technology and disarmament,