Countering Terrorist Recruitment of Central Asian Foreign Workers
This grant funds projects to prevent ISIS-K’s online recruitment of Central Asian migrant workers, focusing on early intervention, digital literacy, and law enforcement support to reduce terrorism threats to the U.S.
Funder: Bureau of Counterterrorism
Due Dates: June 9, 2026
Funding Amounts: Up to $986,679 total; one award anticipated; project period typically 12–24 months.
Summary: Supports projects countering ISIS-K’s online radicalization and recruitment of Central Asian foreign workers, with a focus on early investigative interventions and technical assistance for law enforcement.
Key Information: Proposals must address all three stated outcomes and prioritize Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, but may include other Central Asian countries.
Description
This funding opportunity, offered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism, seeks projects that counter the online radicalization and recruitment of Central Asian foreign workers—particularly Tajik and Uzbek speakers—by ISIS-K and related terrorist organizations. The program focuses on disrupting sophisticated, multilingual online propaganda targeting vulnerable labor migrants from Central Asia working abroad, which poses risks of radicalization and potential attacks against U.S. interests.
Funded activities may include:
- Online peer engagement and digital outreach to reduce isolation among foreign workers
- Pre-departure and on-arrival consultations
- Digital literacy training programs
- Strengthening trust and reporting mechanisms between local law enforcement and migrant communities
- Enhancing information-sharing and digital forensics capabilities
- Technical assistance and capacity-building for Central Asian law enforcement to identify, investigate, and prosecute terrorist recruitment online
Applicants are expected to propose integrated, evidence-based approaches that close recruitment pathways and build sustainable law enforcement capabilities in the region.
