Digital Forums on Terrorism Prevention | DHS ST 21 108 FR03

Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS ST 21 108 FR03

The Digital Forums on Terrorism Prevention opportunity is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) research solicitation administered through the Social Sciences Technology Center (SS-TC). Its central purpose is to strengthen U.S. efforts to prevent, mitigate, and respond to terrorism and targeted violence by improving the quality of evidence available to practitioners and policymakers, especially in contexts shaped by the internet and emerging technologies. The premise behind the program is that the modern threat landscape is changing quickly in terms of who commits violence, why they mobilize, how they communicate, and what tools they use. DHS is looking for work that helps communities and institutions keep pace through rigorous, science-based approaches that translate into practical prevention and preparedness improvements.

A major theme of the solicitation is building a stronger “whole-of-society” prevention architecture that supports local prevention efforts while protecting civil rights and civil liberties. The work is intended to help a wide range of stakeholders (federal, state, local, tribal/territorial partners as applicable, and private-sector and community organizations) understand what does and does not work in preventing terrorism and targeted violence in the United States, particularly when online spaces, digital platforms, and other emerging technologies play a role in radicalization, mobilization, targeting, or operational planning. The expected value is not only new research, but also independent and objective assessment of current activities and programs so that stakeholders can continuously improve and integrate credible evidence into prevention strategies.

The solicitation emphasizes multidisciplinary social science and evaluation expertise. DHS explicitly signals interest in drawing on fields such as psychology, economics, criminology, political science, sociology, biostatistics, and related disciplines to analyze behavior, networks, risk factors, intervention points, and program effectiveness. In practical terms, this points to projects that can assemble and analyze high-quality data; generate findings that can stand up to scrutiny; and convert those findings into actionable best practices and guidance for organizations that run prevention, threat assessment, community outreach, and preparedness programs. The description also places the effort within the broader SS-TC mission of supporting communities before and after incidents, including improving protocols and strategies that address immediate and longer-term needs for victims, families, first responders, and affected communities following mass violence or terrorism incidents.

In terms of strategic alignment, the opportunity is framed as supporting the DHS Strategic Plan 2020-2024 and related counterterrorism and targeted violence policy frameworks. It specifically references goals tied to countering terrorism and homeland security threats, securing cyberspace and critical infrastructure, and strengthening preparedness and resilience, with an additional emphasis on preventing terrorism and targeted violence. The solicitation’s output expectations are geared toward informing decisions and improving practice: producing evidence that supports or refutes existing programs, documenting what best practices look like, and packaging insights in ways that state, local, and private organizations can use to reinforce prevention and preparedness efforts influenced by online environments and emerging technologies.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, which generally means DHS expects substantial engagement during the project (for example, coordination, collaboration, or iterative input on deliverables rather than a fully hands-off grant). The opportunity is listed under CFDA 97.108 and carries a funding opportunity number of DHS ST 21 108 FR03. The award ceiling is $300,000, with DHS anticipating one award. Eligible applicants are broad and include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. The posting date is March 24, 2021, and the original closing date is May 8, 2021.

• The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Digital Forums on Terrorism Prevention" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.108.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 24, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 08, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for DHS ST 21 108 FR03

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