The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) seeks innovative applications on mechanisms to implement and research the effectiveness of STEM education, outreach, and/or workforce initiative programs, here onto referred as STEM activities.
This NFO is a continuously open announcement. Amendments to this NFO will be posted to Grants.gov if they occur. Amendments will detail requirements for white paper submissions, and select white paper submissions will be invited to submit a full application.
Specific initiatives supported through this NFO include, but are not limited to, topics outlined in the following sections.
(1) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Outreach
(2) Support for STEM Education at Two-Year Institutions/Community Colleges (2YI/CCs)
(3) Manufacturing Engineering Education Program
(4) Education and Workforce Development Aligned to the DoD Critical Technology Areas
(5) Enhanced Civics Education
(6) STEM Scholarship Programs
(7) Strategic Partnerships
(8) Program Evaluations and Assessments
(9) Data Analytics and Visualizations
(10) Activities Aligned to the DoD STEM Strategic Plan
(11) Other NDEP Congressional Initiatives and Programs
Closing Date: Feb. 8, 2028
Amendment 01: Civil Society
Deadline for White Papers: 6 March 2023
The Department of Defense (DoD) National Defense Education Program (NDEP) is seeking to strategically fund grants supporting civil society education and outreach programs, as per Topic of Interest five (5) in the DoD STEM NDEP NFO (Section 1.C.5.). Specifically, as directed by Congress through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 117-81), DoD is seeking to work with universities with ethics and public affairs programs to promote civil society education and outreach, including among military and non-military communities.
Proposed civil society education and outreach programs can target any age group, from pre-K to graduate school, as well as the general public. Programs may include, but are not limited to, community engagement as civil servants, media literacy, science communication, and program leadership in civic engagement. Programs should be wideranging, supported by research with nationwide impact in supporting American democracy, ethical leadership, and civic engagement.
Amendment 02: Manufacturing Engineering Education Program (MEEP)
Deadline for White Papers: 6 March 2023
The DoD National Defense Education Program (NDEP) is seeking to establish new or to enhance existing programs (or collections of programs) to better position the current and next-generation manufacturing workforce to produce military systems and components that assure technological superiority for the DoD. For example, proposed programs may support innovative approaches to precision optics workforce development.
Amendment 03: STEM Scholarship Programs
Deadline for White Papers: 6 March 2023
The Department of Defense (DoD) National Defense Education Program (NDEP) is seeking to strategically fund grants supporting scholarship programs for students intending to pursue a research career in STEM fields, as per Topic of Interest six (6) in the DoD STEM NDEP NFO (Section 1.C.6.). The scholarship program may support students at an accredited 2- or 4- year institution of higher education. The scholarship program should prioritize students that show promise of becoming the leading scientists, engineers, and mathematicians that will meet the future of our Nation’s STEM talent needs.
Amendment 04: Enhanced Civics Education
Deadline for White Papers: 6 March 2023
The Department of Defense (DoD) National Defense Education Program (NDEP) is seeking to strategically fund grants supporting Enhanced Civics Education, as per Topic of Interest five (5) in the DoD STEM NDEP NFO (Section 1.C.5.), and as directed by Section 234 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 (in the Appendix of the NFO). The purpose of the pilot program is to provide enhanced civics education on the following topics: (1) Critical thinking and media literacy (2) Voting and other forms of political and civic engagement (3) Interest in employment, and careers, in public service (4) Understanding of United States law, history, and Government (5) The ability of participants to collaborate and compromise with others to solve problems
Eligible applicants include: industry, non-profit institutions, institutions of higher education, state and/or local educational agencies, or consortia of such institutions and/or industry. Foreign entities will not be considered.
