NDEP STEM Open NFO

The Department of War (DoW), through the Washington Headquarters Services Acquisition Directorate (WHS/AD), released Amendment 06 under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) National Defense Education Program (NDEP) Notice of Funding Opportunity. This amendment focuses specifically on STEM Education and Outreach through the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) STEM Leadership Academy initiative. The funding opportunity is identified as HQ003423NFOEASD01 and is associated with Assistance Listing 12.006, National Defense Education Program. The amendment was posted on May 7, 2026, and seeks applications that can support and expand nationwide STEM programming for JROTC cadets during the 2026 and 2027 program years. The Department emphasizes the strategic importance of STEM education and workforce development as a national defense priority and seeks proposals that cultivate a highly skilled and agile STEM talent pipeline for future national security and economic competitiveness. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to enhance and support JROTC STEM Leadership Academies nationwide through implementation support, curriculum development, data collection, and reporting activities. The Department specifically seeks programs that can provide cyber and Artificial Intelligence education concepts to participating cadets while also leveraging partnerships with school districts and JROTC programs across the country. Applicants are expected to demonstrate the ability to coordinate nationwide programming efforts, develop curriculum resources, and establish strong relationships with both existing and new educational partners. The Department's stated objective is to strengthen the STEM workforce development ecosystem by transforming and preparing a future-ready STEM talent pool capable of supporting Departmental and national priorities. The Department intends to award one grant with a maximum funding amount of $2,000,000 for a performance period beginning June 15, 2026 and ending October 31, 2027, subject to the availability of funds. The solicitation does not specify a minimum award amount, cost-sharing requirement, or matching obligation. The funding is intended to support implementation activities, curriculum development, evaluation, and reporting functions associated with the JROTC STEM Leadership Academy initiative. Applicants are expected to include a detailed financial breakdown in their submission, and long-term sustainability planning is specifically included within the evaluation framework. The notice does not identify indirect cost limitations, subaward restrictions, or additional funding tiers. Eligible applicants are not explicitly restricted within the amendment itself, but applicants are expected to possess the capability, partnerships, experience, facilities, and personnel necessary to execute a nationwide STEM education initiative involving JROTC cadets and school districts. The amendment repeatedly references collaboration with school districts and JROTC programs nationwide, indicating that applicants should have demonstrated organizational and operational capacity to manage a large-scale national education and outreach effort. Because the solicitation does not provide a definitive list of eligible entity types, prospective applicants must rely on the broader NFO guidance and their alignment with the program's operational requirements. The opportunity is national in scope and does not impose state or regional geographic limitations. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov no later than May 19, 2026 at 23:59 Eastern Time. The amendment directs applicants to follow the instructions and templates contained within Section IV of the underlying Notice of Funding Opportunity. The technical application must comply with all application guidelines and page limitations. The Project Narrative is limited to 25 pages and includes multiple required sections such as a Cover Page, Table of Contents, Technical Approach and Justification, Project Schedule and Milestones, Financial Breakdown, Reports, Management Approach, Metrics and Evaluation, Qualifications, Responsibility, Facilities and Equipment, and Work Plan. The application structure indicates a highly detailed and operationally focused submission process requiring both programmatic and administrative planning documentation. Applications will be evaluated according to three weighted criteria categories. Overall technical merit accounts for 60 percent of the evaluation and includes assessment of creativity, innovation, feasibility, program effectiveness, organizational capabilities, facilities, techniques, and personnel qualifications. Relevance and alignment account for 20 percent of the evaluation and require applicants to demonstrate alignment with the amendment's stated programs and capabilities related to national security and economic competitiveness. Cost analysis accounts for the remaining 20 percent and evaluates the reasonableness of the proposed budget as well as long-term sustainability planning. The Department also evaluates whether sufficient funding is available to support the proposed effort. Tentative award notifications are expected on June 1, 2026, with awards tentatively finalized by June 15, 2026. The listed agency contact is Jonathan Bertsch, Grants Officer for WHS/AD, reachable at jonathan.e.bertsch.civ@mail.mil.

Emphasize technical merit innovation feasibility and measurable program outcomes. Demonstrate strong nationwide partnerships with JROTC programs and school districts. Clearly explain sustainability planning budget reasonableness and staff qualifications because these areas are explicitly weighted in evaluation criteria.