FY25 Department of the Navy (DoN) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Workforce Program

The FY25 Department of the Navy (DON) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Workforce Program, announced under ONR funding opportunity number N0001425SF003, is administered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). This grant initiative seeks to support education and workforce programs that directly contribute to developing and sustaining a world-class STEM workforce. The program's overarching mission is to preserve the technological superiority of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through impactful STEM educational pathways and workforce initiatives across the country. This funding opportunity is designed to promote STEM education programs that align with the Department of the Navy’s current and future science and technology needs. Projects may target formal or informal education settings and must primarily focus on areas such as physical and natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, technology, and mathematics. Funding is available for programs that develop learner interest and competencies in STEM, attract students to STEM careers, support post-secondary student research experiences, improve educator quality, and enhance institutional capacity in STEM disciplines. Proposals with educational research objectives must primarily aim to support educational development and not generate intellectual property. The ONR anticipates awarding approximately eight grants, each potentially valued at $200,000 annually for up to three years. White papers are mandatory for consideration and must be submitted via FedConnect by April 11, 2025. Full proposals are accepted by invitation only and are due August 29, 2025. Evaluation criteria include alignment with the Navy’s mission, scientific and technical merit, and the project's potential for sustainability beyond the grant period. Selected proposals will be notified by December 12, 2025, with an anticipated project start date of February 1, 2026. All application forms must comply with 2 CFR 200 and be submitted electronically through Grants.gov following the outlined procedures. Eligibility is open to all responsible sources from academia, nonprofits, and industry (excluding foreign entities, FFRDCs, and most federal labs). University Affiliated Research Centers may apply unless restricted by existing DoD contracts. Applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and comply with specific national security and disclosure requirements. Although cost sharing is not required, voluntary contributions may be considered. Funding restrictions are in place related to telecommunications and equipment procurement per NDAA Section 889. The key contacts for this program are Dr. Michael Simpson, Director of Education and Workforce Division (Technical POC), and Veronica Lacey, Grants Officer (Business POC). Questions about eligibility or technical aspects must be submitted by April 4, 2025, and inquiries about proposal submission by August 22, 2025. The application process includes detailed formatting and content requirements for both white papers and full proposals, including submission of SF-424 and other standardized federal forms, project narratives, budgets, and evaluation metrics. The grant terms emphasize responsible research conduct, export control compliance, and participation in performance and program review meetings.