Training and Support – Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction

Training and Support – Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction is sponsored by Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). This grant supports and stimulates training and collaborative efforts for solutions to combat or counter weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY (DTRA) To support and stimulate basic, applied and advanced research at educational or research institutions, non-profit organizations, and commercial firms, which support the advancement of fundamental knowledge and understanding of the sciences with an emphasis on exploring new and innovative research for combating or countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).

**Fiscal Year 2025:** Continues to fund ongoing research projects in fundamental research as well as two cooperative agreements that encompass a consortia of universities.

Research was performed in both medical and physical sciences including a deep machine-learning guided approach has resulted in five new antibiotics against antimicrobial resistance as well as a highly adaptable experimental model system capable of storing the energy of natural light to efficiently decompose chemical warfare agents in the dark and under ambient conditions.

Research also furthered support of the Biological Threat Reduction Program mission to strengthen the capabilities of partner nations and the international community to prevent, detect, and prepare for outbreaks caused by high threat pathogens.

DTRA safeguards America and its allies from weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and provides capabilities to reduce, eliminate, and counter the threat and effects from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high yield explosives. DTRA seeks to identify, adopt, and adapt emerging, existing and revolutionary sciences that may demonstrate high payoff potential to Counter-WMD threats, including improvised threats.

This endeavor combines the fundamental research, educational program, or other effort needs appropriate for basic or applied research funding of DTRA and other DoD interests. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - SD Research and Development 10 U.S.C. 2358 (R&D Grants and cooperative agreements).

10 U.S.C. 2361 (Grants & contracts to universities-competitive). 10 U.S.C.

2371 (Transactions other than contracts and grants). _These funding amounts do not reflect the award amounts that are displayed on USASpending. gov_ **This listing is funded for the current fiscal year.

** **Fiscal Year 2025:** One outcome of project is the development of an AI based evolutionary and antigenicity model named VaxSeer, which addresses the issue of ineffective influenza vaccine strain selection. VaxSeer uses these models to predict future dominance of viral strains and select optimal vaccine candidates. The study demonstrated that the model consistently chooses more effective strains compared to those recommended by WHO.

The VaxSeer framework while focused on influenza, could be a significant step in the development of countermeasures for other evolving viruses. Its approach of using computational models to predict virus evolution could be adapted to accelerate the countermeasure selection process for other viruses with high mutation rates like NIPAH viruses, a DOD virus of concern.

This method presents a new type of countermeasures itself as a proactive data driven approach to accelerate the development of medical countermeasures. Award is subject to: 1) receipt of applicable/acceptable certifications and representations; 2) having a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) (www. sam.

gov); 3), the applicant, its principals, proposed subrecipients/subrecipient principals not appearing in SAM Exclusions as currently debarred, suspended, or otherwise ineligible; and 4) meeting other requirements specified in the agency announcements. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. Not-for-Profit Organization As stated in individual program BAAs.

Generally, competitions are open to private and public educational accredited institutions of higher education that carry out science and engineering research and/or related science and engineering education on a non-profit basis. Some awards are made to other non-profit and for profit organizations that conduct research. Awards are not made to individuals.

Specific Restrictions Determined at NOFO Level Specific Restrictions Determined at NOFO Level Uses and restrictions are specified in individual program BAAs and award documents issued by and codified regulations applicable to awards. These are submitted at the time of proposal or prior to award, as specified by executive agents. Fee is not an allowable cost.

Fee is not an allowable cost. Expenditures must be in scope of the award, statement of work, and terms and conditions. Deadline determined at as part of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Review the appropriate funding announcement for due date and deadline information.

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.

O. 12372. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.

Generally, the principal evaluation and selection criteria are the technical or socio-economic merits of the proposal and potential long term contributions of DTRA's specific mission. Other selection criteria vary with the nature of the specific research or research-related activity.

Typically, these include the qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed Principal Investigator and/or key personnel who are critical in achieving the proposal objectives; adequacy of current or planned facilities, and equipment; and reasonableness and realism of the proposed costs. Award decisions are based on evaluations of proposals using peer and/or scientific review.

Evaluation criteria are contained in the relevant BAA. If selected for award, the proposal is the basis for the award document and the applicant agrees to perform the research or research related activities described therein. Award times will be identified in the relevant BAA.

Typically, decisions are made within 90-120 days of receipt of proposal for which funding is authorized. Re-application with new proposals is permitted.

The following 2CFR policy requirements apply to this assistance listing: Subpart B, General provisions Subpart C, Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards Subpart D, Post Federal; Award Requirements Subpart E, Cost Principles Subpart F, Audit Requirements The following 2CFR policy requirements are excluded from coverage under this assistance listing: **Progress/Performance Reports :**As required by Assistance Award, Frequency: Determined at Time of Award Additional audit requirements: Audit requirements for for-profit organizations, which are not subject to 2 CFR part 200, are consistent with the requirements in the DoD Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARs) at 32 CFR 34.

16. , Record keeping requirements are in accordance with the terms and conditions of the award, which will include appropriate provisions related to recipient records that are required by the DoDGARs. Retention Period: 5 Years Statutory Formula: Title Code of Federal Regulations - Financial Chapter CFR 200 Part 200 Subpart N/A Public Law N/A N/A Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Domestic Assistance Program that uses Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA): Scientific Research - Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Scientific Research - Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Scientific Research - Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Scientific Research - Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Scientific Research - Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Scientific Research - Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Scientific Research - Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Scientific Research - Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Scientific Research - Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Scientific Research - Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Basic Scientific Research - Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction