The U.S. Department of State, Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP) works to prevent the proliferation of illicit biological materials, equipment, and expertise worldwide by engaging biological scientist s and providing assistance to reduce and mitigate biorisks. While working toward these objectives, BEP supports the legitimate use of biological materials and equipment necessary to combat infectious diseases and enhance public and animal health worldwide.
BEP offers training and equipment across a variety of topics, to include: improving governmental, academic, and industrial laboratory biosafety and biosecurity through technical consultations, risk assessments, and training courses and building the human capacity and internal expertise to create a sustainable culture of laboratory biorisk management. BEP also provides assistance toward strengthening the capacity for public health and veterinary health systems to detect, report, and control infectious disease outbreaks. BEP also offers security and law enforcement forces training and equipment to support the prevention, detection, and response to biological terrorism or weapons proliferation. Finally, BEP provides travel grant and training assistance, enabling partners from select countries to travel to relevant conferences and trainings.
