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

The Department of War Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities Equipment/Instrumentation opportunity is funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering and the Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology. The program is administered through the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Command Army Research Laboratory, the Office of Naval Research, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Under 10 U.S.C. Section 4144 and Section 223 of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, the program supports acquisition of equipment and instrumentation at eligible Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities. Its objectives are to enhance research and education capabilities in scientific and engineering disciplines important to national security, increase institutional capacity to participate in Department of War research programs, and increase the number of graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Funding supports equipment and instrumentation that augments existing capabilities or establishes new capabilities in research areas of interest to the Department of War while strengthening research-related STEM education. Proposals must align with Department of War research interests and explain the effect of the requested equipment on student participation in research. Relevant critical technology areas include Applied Artificial Intelligence, Biomanufacturing, Contested Logistics Technologies, Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance, Scaled Directed Energy, and Scaled Hypersonics, although other research areas identified in the participating Agencies' Broad Agency Announcements may also be considered. Approximately $50 million is intended for awards, subject to availability of funds. Individual grants will range from $200,000 to $1,500,000 and have a 12-month performance period. Cost sharing or matching is not required and is not an evaluation factor. Requested items must meet the federal definition of equipment by having an acquisition cost of at least $10,000 and a useful life exceeding one year. Applicants may request one item, multiple items, or items forming a system for a common research purpose. Equipment must be intended for research or research-related education at the applicant institution. Prohibited costs include alteration or renovation of existing facilities, classified projects, consultants and consultant services, operation and maintenance expenses, extended warranties, user fees, maintenance agreements, postdoctoral associates, student support, costs for carrying out research, travel outside the contiguous United States, payments to non-IHE collaborators, and subawards. Funding also may not support equipment or costs at other institutions. Applications cannot request more than $1.5 million, and applications requesting less than $200,000 or more than $1.5 million will not be accepted for review. Eligibility is limited to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965. A Historically Black College or University must meet the meaning of a part B institution under section 322 of the Act, while a Tribal College or University must meet the definition in section 316(b). An institution may submit no more than three applications under this opportunity. Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier, active System for Award Management registration, and a Grants.gov account. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using funding opportunity number W911NF26S0105. The Authorized Organization Representative must complete the electronic submission. The Department recommends submitting at least two days before the deadline to reduce the risk of a late application caused by network or equipment problems. The application includes the mandatory SF-424 Research and Related form, SF-424 Research and Related Other Project Information form, Project Summary/Abstract, Project Narrative, Facilities and Other Resources information, required representations, SF-424 Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile Expanded form, biographical sketches for the PI and one Co-PI, required Common Disclosure Forms, SF-424 Research and Related Budget, and budget justification. A complete vendor quotation dated no earlier than 90 days before application submission is required and must identify the vendor, equipment or instrumentation, unit and total prices, and catalog or part number. The technical portion consisting of the Project Summary/Abstract, Project Narrative, and Facilities and Other Resources is limited to 25 pages. The abstract is limited to one page and 4,000 characters. Attachments must be PDFs and cannot be password protected. Letters of support should not be submitted. Primary merit criteria are the impact of the requested equipment on the institution's ability to conduct research or research-related education in Department of War areas of interest, its impact on institutional STEM programs, its impact on student participation in STEM programs, and the qualifications of the PI and other key personnel. Secondary criteria are the institution's ability to operate and maintain the equipment after Department of War support ends and the realism and reasonableness of costs. Applications will be evaluated by Department of War subject matter experts, with the most meritorious applications recommended for awards consistent with available funding. Award decisions are expected in November 2026, with grant awards expected by mid-January 2027. Applicants should assume a proposed start date of February 1, 2027, and equipment ordering, installation, and applicable training are expected within the 12-month performance period. The opportunity was issued August 27, 2026. Questions and application inquiries are due September 30, 2026, and questions submitted after that date may not be answered. Applications are due through Grants.gov by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 9, 2026. Program policy contacts include Evelyn Kent at Evelyn.W.Kent.civ@mail.mil, Tamika Carey at Tamika.A.Carey.ctr@mail.mil, and Tara Smith at Tara.L.Smith38.ctr@mail.mil. Program execution and administration questions may be directed to Patrice D. Collins at patrice.d.collins.civ@army.mil. The Grants Officer is William A. Creech at William.A.Creech3.civ@army.mil and 9195494387. The statutory framework directs separate HBCU and TCU focused funding solicitations for fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, supporting treatment of this opportunity as recurring for future-cycle tracking.

Align the equipment with DoW research interests and explain whether it augments existing capabilities or creates new ones. Address impact on institutional research and research-related education, STEM programs, and student participation. Demonstrate PI and key-personnel qualifications, post-award operation and maintenance capability, and realistic, reasonable costs. Ensure every equipment item meets the federal equipment definition, provide a compliant recent vendor quotation, keep the technical portion within 25 pages, submit before the Grants.gov deadline, and avoid prohibited costs and prohibited subject references identified in the NOFO.