Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU)

The Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities is administered by the Department of Defense through the Department of the Army Materiel Command, with program execution supported by the Army Research Laboratory and the Office of Naval Research. The program is authorized under federal statute and aligned with national defense priorities to strengthen research capacity and workforce development at eligible institutions. It is designed to expand participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities in defense-related research and to increase the number of students trained in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields that are relevant to long-term national security needs. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support basic research projects that advance scientific knowledge while simultaneously enhancing educational outcomes for students at eligible institutions. Projects must align with Department of Defense research priorities, including critical technology areas such as applied artificial intelligence, biomanufacturing, contested logistics technologies, quantum information dominance, directed energy, and hypersonics. While these priority areas are emphasized, the program also allows for broader research topics identified through agency research announcements, provided they contribute to foundational scientific understanding and align with defense-related interests. Funding supports projects that are strictly defined as basic research, meaning systematic study aimed at increasing fundamental knowledge without immediate application to products or processes. Awards are structured as grants with a performance period of up to four years. Each project may receive funding up to a specified ceiling, and applicants are expected to distribute requested funds across the project period unless otherwise justified. Certain costs are explicitly unallowable, including student tuition and stipends, equipment purchases above defined thresholds, foreign travel, consultant services, and facility renovations. Cost sharing is not required for participation. Eligibility is limited exclusively to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities as defined under federal law. Institutions may submit a limited number of applications, and proposals must be led by a principal investigator with an identified co-principal investigator. Projects must be conducted at the applicant institution, and while collaborations may exist, they cannot be funded through this program. Applicants are encouraged to engage with program managers from relevant defense agencies to ensure alignment with research priorities prior to submission. Applications must be submitted through the Grants.gov system and require institutional registration, including a Unique Entity Identifier and active System for Award Management registration. Required components include standard federal forms, a project summary, a detailed project narrative describing research objectives and methodology, biographical sketches, and a comprehensive budget with justification. The project narrative must also demonstrate how the research will enhance institutional capacity and student engagement in STEM fields. Strict formatting and page limits apply, and incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Proposals are evaluated through a merit review process based on scientific and technical quality, alignment with defense priorities, potential to enhance research capacity, and qualifications of the research team. Secondary considerations include the project’s contribution to STEM education and the reasonableness of the budget. Awards are expected to be announced several months after the application deadline, with project start dates anticipated shortly thereafter. Applicants may contact designated program and contracting officers for administrative or technical questions during the application process. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is August 11, 2026, with questions accepted until late July 2026. Awards are anticipated to be announced in November 2026, with funding expected to begin in early 2027. The program does not explicitly state recurring cycles, though it is tied to annual federal appropriations and legislative authorization, suggesting potential future opportunities. Applicants should monitor official channels for updates on subsequent funding rounds.

Ensure strong alignment with DoD critical technology areas; emphasize institutional capacity building and student involvement; clearly justify budget and adhere strictly to formatting requirements