The Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI), funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering / Assistant Secretary of Defense (Science and Technology), will be administered through DEVCOM ARL.
The Army has a long history of supporting research and education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions. The DoD, in cooperation with the DEVCOM ARL, is leading new initiatives based on 10 U.S.C. § 4144, which directs DoD to provide assistance to HBCUs and MIs (hereafter ‘covered educational institutions') to enhance their defense-related research and education capabilities in areas of importance to national defense; increase the number of graduates in disciplines important to the national security functions of the Department; and encourage research and educational collaborations with other institutions of higher education.
The DoD and the Nation need the best scientists and engineers to sustain defense capabilities. This can be accomplished through partnerships with, and support of, Institutions of Higher Education (IHE). The DoD will address this need by supporting innovative research and education programs that encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), particularly at covered educational institutions.
The DEVCOM ARL invites applications from covered educational institutions that meet the 10 U.S.C. § 4144 objective to enhance defense-related research and education. The statutory objective shall be accomplished through initiatives designed to:
- enhance the research and educational capabilities in areas of importance to national defense;
- increase the number of graduates STEM disciplines; and
- encourage research and educational collaborations between such institutions and other institutions of higher education, Government defense organizations, and the defense industry.
Support for research and research-related educational enhancements will be achieved through competitively awarded grants and cooperative agreements. Applications should reflect the unique needs and capabilities of the applicant institution and explain how the proposed project will support the above objective.
The scope of an application should align with the DoD critical technology priorities listed below:
- Biotechnology
- Quantum Science
- Future Generation Wireless Technology (Future G)
- Advanced Materials
- Trusted Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy
- Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems
- Microelectronics
- Space Technology
- Renewable Energy Generation and Storage
- Advanced Computing and Software
- Human-Machine Interfaces
- Directed Energy
- Hypersonics
- Integrated Sensing and Cyber
- Other Defense priorities as defined in the 2022 National Defense Strategy
Applicants are encouraged to consider innovative approaches that will enhance their institution's science and engineering programs, strengthen the institution's competitiveness in defense research programs, attract students by exposing them to state-of-the-art research, and encourage careers in STEM disciplines.
None is available.
Projects proposed for funding under this FOA must align with the research interests of the DoD and the Army. Applications should describe how the proposed project will enhance defense-related research and research-related education pursuant to the objective and initiatives defined by 10 U.S.C § 4144 and should demonstrate alignment with one or more of the DoD critical technology areas or ARL research areas.
The DoD will not prescribe an approach for an application; instead, it expects applicants to reflect on the unique needs and capabilities of their respective institution. Methods through which the statutory objective can be achieved are as varied as the institutions. Factors such as research capabilities and facilities are unique to each institution and should be considered when preparing an application.