Department of Defense Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI)

The Department of Defense (DoD), through its Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) and its Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL), is soliciting applications for the Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI). This program aligns with 10 U.S.C. § 4144 and is designed to strengthen the defense-related research and education capabilities of eligible institutions. DEVCOM ARL administers this initiative in coordination with the Army Contracting Command. The announcement, W911NF24S0009, was originally posted on August 1, 2024, and has been amended, with the application window remaining open until December 11, 2025. The initiative seeks to advance national security interests by encouraging innovative STEM research and education at institutions that historically serve underrepresented communities. Core objectives include increasing the number of STEM graduates, enhancing institutional research capabilities, and fostering collaborations between covered institutions, other higher education institutions, government defense entities, and the defense industry. These efforts are tied directly to defense readiness and innovation goals, especially within areas outlined in the 2022 DoD Technology Vision, such as quantum science, microelectronics, hypersonics, and space technology. Funding will be awarded through cooperative agreements or grants, depending on the nature of the proposed effort. Projects must align with basic or applied research definitions provided by DoD guidance. The anticipated award amount is $100 million, with individual awards subject to the merit and scope of each application. Although the opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds, applicants must adhere to strict eligibility rules. Only “covered educational institutions,” including those eligible under Title III or V of the Higher Education Act or accredited post-secondary minority institutions, may apply. Community colleges and two-year institutions that meet these criteria are also eligible. The submission process is two-phased. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit whitepapers to the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), Evelyn Kent, via email. While submission of a whitepaper is not mandatory for submitting a full application, it can improve alignment with program goals and influence the invitation to submit a full proposal. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and include required forms such as SF-424, budget documents, project narratives, biographical sketches, and a data management plan. Collaborations with up to two other institutions of higher education are allowed, but non-IHE collaborators are not eligible to receive funding. Applications are evaluated based on scientific merit, alignment with DoD priorities, potential to build institutional research capacity, STEM education enhancement, and qualifications of key personnel. Secondary criteria include collaboration potential and budgetary realism. Final funding decisions are made by the Research Director of OUSD(R&E)/ASD(S&T). All applications undergo a fundamental research risk-based security review for key personnel. The application deadline is December 11, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET. This is not a rolling submission, and the program is not recurring. Applicants will be notified of decisions via email. Although this opportunity does not fund equipment, classified research, or consultant services, it does allow for scholarships and fellowships for students. Program contacts include Evelyn Kent (TPOC), Tamika Carey, Tara Smith, and William A. Creech (Grants Officer).