Disrupting the Rise of Disinformation Campaigns in the Biological Sphere Through Grant and Mentorship

CRDF Global is pleased to announce a grant opportunity to support counter-disinformation initiatives that respond to active influence campaigns by malign actors that undermine established norms in biosecurity. Grants are a one-time, five-month award of up to $10,000 USD to conduct research and develop solutions to discredit efforts by state actors to subvert international biological science.

Grants should empower recipients to recognize and immediately and scientifically counter any claim of misinformation that may reduce their ability to recognize, respond to, and control biological incidents, whether intentional or naturally occurring. Following the completion of a research paper, grant recipients are expected to deliver at least one training of 1-2 days in length to STEM institutions in their country and/or region that excel in biology and biotechnology research and development. The training should focus on efforts to identify disinformation tactics, techniques, and procedures used by state-based malign influence campaigns on biological information, such as during infectious disease outbreaks. As part of this grant, CRDF Global will assign subject-matter experts (SMEs) to serve as mentors for grant recipients, will connect recipients located in the same country to enhance coordination and advance national efforts, and will guide grantees in the development of their research and the trainings. Optionally, grantees may also publish their research or present it at a virtual conference.

Eligible countries: Georgia, Romania, Turkey.

• Individuals with strong past performance conducting research, trainings, and other activities on countering disinformation, specifically in biosecurity, biotechnology, and biological threats, are eligible to apply.
• Grants will be awarded to individuals or teams of individuals. Use of grant funds to cover institutional indirect costs is not permitted.
• Grant recipients must be nationals of Georgia, Romania, or Turkey, and living in those countries.
• Proposed projects must address disinformation related to biosecurity norms and disinformation’s impact on public health and national security.
• Applications must be submitted in English.
• Additional information about this opportunity, including evaluation criteria and CRDF Global grant policies can be accessed at https://www.crdfglobal.org/grants/fellowships-funding-opportunities