Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of the Navy (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of the Navy (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program. This funding initiative is designed to enhance the research and educational capacities of HBCUs and MIs in scientific and engineering disciplines that are aligned with the defense missions of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The program is managed under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4001 and governed by federal regulations including 2 CFR 200 and DoD Grants and Agreements Regulations (DoDGARS). The main objective of this NOFO is to foster institutional capabilities through basic and applied research that is relevant to naval science and technology (S&T). The program prioritizes projects that engage both faculty and students in research activities, particularly in STEM fields, while simultaneously strengthening institutional research infrastructure. Proposals must articulate clear naval relevance and demonstrate the potential to address specific naval S&T challenges. Emphasis is also placed on student participation, with applicants required to provide explicit plans for undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral engagement. The total funding available under this announcement is $1,575,000, and ONR anticipates making three awards, each ranging between $450,000 and $525,000 over a three-year performance period. Annual funding is capped at $185,000, $175,000, and $165,000 respectively, including both base costs and specified allocations for materials, equipment, and supplies. Projects must adhere strictly to these limits, and proposals exceeding the $525,000 cap will be deemed non-responsive. No cost-sharing is required, and supplemental or renewal applications will not be considered. Each project must be completed within the three-year period, and any no-cost extension requests must be submitted no later than 90 days before the performance end date. Eligibility is restricted to U.S. institutions classified as "covered educational institutions" under 10 U.S.C. § 4144. This includes institutions eligible under Title III or V of the Higher Education Act or accredited post-secondary minority institutions. Furthermore, the Principal Investigator (PI) and all project personnel must be U.S. citizens as of September 19, 2025. The PI must hold a full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty position. Only single PI applications are accepted—Co-PIs and sub-awards are not permitted. The application process consists of two mandatory phases: the submission of white papers and, if invited, full proposals. White papers are due by September 19, 2025, with inquiries accepted until August 29, 2025. Invited full proposals must be submitted by December 12, 2025. Applicants will receive notifications regarding white paper evaluations by November 7, 2025, and award notifications by March 27, 2026. The anticipated project start date is July 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the ONR Submission Portal for white papers and via Grants.gov for full proposals. Compliance with all formatting, budgetary, and documentation requirements outlined in the NOFO is mandatory. Evaluation criteria include naval relevance, technical merit, student engagement strategy, personnel qualifications, and risk assessments related to foreign influence. Points of contact for technical and programmatic inquiries are provided. Technical questions should be directed to Navy Technical Points of Contact affiliated with ONR or similar commands. Programmatic questions can be addressed to Mr. Anthony C. Smith, Sr. at don_hbcufoa@navy.mil, and submission-related questions can be sent to Ms. Veronica Lacey at veronica.y.lacey.civ@us.navy.mil. This NOFO is not open-ended and does not support activities unrelated to research, such as general STEM outreach. All communication should reference the appropriate section of the NOFO, and questions submitted within two weeks of a deadline may not be answered. The program encourages early and clear communication with ONR representatives to ensure alignment with research priorities and compliance with submission guidelines.

Engage Navy TPoC early to ensure alignment and improve chances.