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US Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF Global)

Annual Giving
$35.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.6M

US Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF Global)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Revenue: $35 million (approximate)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $600,000+
  • Geographic Focus: International (120+ countries globally)

Contact Details

Headquarters: 1776 Wilson Blvd Ste 300, Arlington, VA 22209-2517
Phone: 703-526-9720
Website: www.crdfglobal.org
Email: info@crdfglobal.org
General Inquiries: For specific funding opportunities, contact the Grant/Contract Officer listed for each program

Overview

CRDF Global (US Civilian Research and Development Foundation) is an independent nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1992 under the FREEDOM Support Act and established in 1995 by the National Science Foundation. With annual revenue of approximately $35 million and operations in over 120 countries, CRDF Global promotes safety, security, and sustainability through science and innovation. This unique public-private partnership facilitates international scientific and technical collaboration through grants, fellowships, technical resources, and training. Between 1995-2010, CRDF Global awarded nearly 3,000 grants to more than 13,000 scientists—including 2,500 former weapons researchers—committing over $105 million in total support. CRDF Global's mission is to serve as a global leader advancing U.S. national security by mitigating threats and enhancing opportunities through technology, innovation, and collaboration. The organization holds a Three-Star rating (81%) from Charity Navigator.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

CRDF Global operates through competitive calls for proposals and does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Funding opportunities are announced through their website with specific objectives, eligibility criteria, grant sizes, and deadlines.

Recent and typical grant programs include:

  • Emerging Research Security Leaders Grants: Supporting research security advancement in Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and India
  • HIV/AIDS Training Fellowship Awards: $150,000/year for up to 2 years ($300,000 total) for early-stage investigators from India
  • Women in Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation Fellowship: Supporting professional development and networking for women in the field, with fellowships culminating in workshops in Vienna
  • Chemical Security Improvement Grants (CSIG): Funding security upgrades at industrial and academic chemical facilities
  • COVID-19 Research Grants: Supporting international collaborative research on diagnostics and vaccine development
  • Conference Travel Support: For scientists, technicians, and engineers in aeronautics, materials science, and nuclear science (deadline: October 1, 2026)
  • Tuberculosis Research: $1 million distributed among collaborative research teams through RePORT International consortium

Grant amounts typically range from $5,000 to over $600,000, depending on the program.

Priority Areas

CRDF Global focuses on:

  • Global Health & Health Security: Laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, disease surveillance, zoonotic disease prevention using One Health approaches, pandemic preparedness
  • Chemical, Biological & Nuclear Security: Nonproliferation, nuclear security culture, insider threat mitigation, safe and secure uses of peaceful nuclear energy
  • Cybersecurity & Digital Resilience: Protecting against cyber, data, and disinformation threats across government, critical infrastructure, and financial institutions
  • Strategic Trade Controls: Export control compliance and dual-use technology management
  • Innovation Ecosystems: Supporting locally-led innovation and entrepreneurship
  • Women in Science: Increasing opportunities for women to contribute knowledge and expertise globally
  • International Professional Exchanges: Building networks and capacity through fellowships and training programs

What They Don't Fund

  • Early childhood, primary, or secondary education projects
  • Fundraising activities
  • Military and/or weapons-related research
  • Unsolicited grant applications (all funding is through competitive calls for proposals)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Chair: Tomas Diaz de la Rubia, Ph.D.
Co-Chairs: Dr. William Wulf (President Emeritus, National Academy of Engineering) and Ms. Dona L. Crawford (Associate Director of Computation, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)

Recent Board Additions:

  • Linda R. Gooden (March 2023) - Former Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Solutions
  • Alonzo Fulgham (July 2023) - Former Advisory Council member
  • General Carlisle ("Hawk") - First flag officer to join the leadership team

Other Board Members: Dr. Jaleh Daie (Managing Partner, Aurora Equity), Dr. Farouk El-Baz (Research Professor and Director, Center for Remote Sensing, Boston University)

Advisory Council

Chair: Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering (Senior Vice President, International Relations, retired, The Boeing Company)
Members: Vinton G. Cerf (Google), Dr. Rita Colwell, and other distinguished experts in science, technology, and international affairs

Executive Leadership

  • Michael Dignam - CEO
  • Sandra Amis - Chief Administrative Officer
  • Andrei Pinto - Chief Finance Officer
  • Ankur Rawat - Chief Technology Officer
  • Siri Oswald - Vice President, Talent Management
  • Shawn Wheeler - Vice President, Risk Management and Compliance
  • Dabren Wills - Vice President, Growth & Development

Regional Directors

  • Mykhailo (Misha) Verych - Europe and Eurasia
  • Nour Anis - Middle East North Africa
  • Kanat Shakenov - Central Asia

Leadership Quotes

CEO Michael Dignam on CRDF Global's mission: "CRDF Global's mission to foster international scientific and technical collaboration and build capacity to address important global problems is deeply appealing to me."

On cybersecurity expansion: "Over the last several years, as CRDF Global has significantly expanded the depth of its cybersecurity expertise and refined its digital strategy, we have enhanced all programming with a cross-cutting information security element to address and protect against the cyber, data, and disinformation threats that have become omnipresent across our customers' missions."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CRDF Global operates exclusively through competitive calls for proposals. They do not accept unsolicited grant applications or funding requests.

Application Process:

  1. Monitor Funding Opportunities: Check the funding opportunities page at www.crdfglobal.org/funding-opportunities/ regularly for new calls for proposals
  2. Review Program Guidelines: Download and carefully read all requirements, eligibility criteria, and application instructions for the specific opportunity
  3. Submit Online: Applications are submitted through online portals specified in each funding announcement
  4. Required Documents typically include:
    • Completed application form
    • Detailed budget
    • One-page abstract (double-spaced, 12-point font, maximum 900 words)
    • Proposed action plan with research question, methodology, literature review, and dissemination plan
    • CVs of all researchers on the team
    • Copies of national IDs or passports for all team members
    • Letter of institutional support

Application Method: Fixed deadlines based on competitive calls (not rolling basis)

Decision Timeline

  • Payment Processing: Once awarded, payment requests can take up to 12 business days after submission
  • Award Activation: Recipients receive a fully signed award agreement from their Grant/Contract Officer before beginning work
  • Review Period: Varies by program (specific timelines not publicly disclosed)

Success Rates

Historical data (1995-2010): Nearly 3,000 grants awarded to over 13,000 scientists from tens of thousands of applications. Current program-specific success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are included in individual program guidelines. Applicants should consult the specific funding opportunity documentation or contact the program officer for details on whether unsuccessful applicants may reapply and any waiting periods.

Application Success Factors

CRDF Global's Core Requirements

Academic Integrity: CRDF Global expects strict adherence to rules of proper scholarship and attribution. Applications are screened for plagiarism, conflict of interest, and adherence to industry standards.

Clear Research Design: Successful applications include:

  • Well-defined research questions
  • Sound methodology appropriate to the research question
  • Comprehensive literature review demonstrating knowledge of the field
  • Realistic dissemination plans for research outcomes (conferences, publications, workshops)

Institutional Commitment: Letters of institutional support must demonstrate genuine host-institution approval and commitment to the project.

Alignment with Funder Priorities: Each program has specific objectives aligned with U.S. national security interests, global health security, nonproliferation, or other strategic priorities. Successful applications clearly demonstrate how the proposed work addresses these objectives.

Budget Justification: Most CRDF Global awards are cost-reimbursable, meaning recipients are reimbursed for actual expenses incurred up to the approved budget ceiling. Budgets should be detailed, realistic, and fully justified.

Recent Successful Projects

  • Chemical Security: Dr. Khalid Sendide, Dr. Abdelkrim Ouardaoui, and Dr. Samir El Hajjaji (Al-Akhawayn University, Morocco) used CSIG funding to implement digital chemical inventory management systems and lead security upgrades
  • COVID-19 Research: Multiple teams received funding to analyze COVID-19 diagnostics and vaccine efficacy in non-human primates (Vietnam and other countries)
  • Tuberculosis Research: Three collaborative research teams awarded $1 million through RePORT International consortium with NIAID
  • Women in Nuclear Security: 12 grantee pairs from Chile, India, Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, and Pakistan participated in 2024 fellowship program

Evaluation Process

CRDF Global employs rigorous evaluation processes ensuring fairness, transparency, and efficiency. Applications are screened for:

  • Plagiarism
  • Conflict of interest
  • Adherence to industry standards
  • Compliance with partner organization standards and regulations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications accepted - You must apply through competitive calls for proposals announced on their website; monitor their funding opportunities page regularly
  • Strong U.S. national security nexus required - CRDF Global's mission centers on advancing U.S. national security through science and innovation; applications should clearly articulate this connection
  • International collaboration is central - Projects should demonstrate meaningful international partnerships and capacity building in target regions (120+ countries where CRDF Global operates)
  • Geographic targeting matters - CRDF Global has regional hubs in Amman, Kyiv, Warsaw, Manila, and Almaty; familiarity with regional priorities strengthens applications
  • Technical rigor and academic integrity are non-negotiable - Applications undergo plagiarism screening and rigorous peer review; ensure proper attribution and scholarly standards
  • Read program-specific guidelines carefully - Each funding opportunity has unique requirements; defer to specific program guidelines rather than general information
  • Dissemination plans are important - Successful applications include specific, feasible plans for sharing research outcomes within professional communities through conferences, publications, or other methods
  • Institutional support is required - Secure genuine institutional backing and approval before applying; pro forma letters are insufficient

References

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