Opportunity Information: Apply for W911NF26S0085
The Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) is a Department of the Army (Army Materiel Command) discretionary grant opportunity that funds basic research projects while also strengthening STEM education and workforce preparation at eligible institutions. The program is designed to support fundamental, early-stage research that advances knowledge in areas tied to long-term national security needs, and to do so in a way that directly involves and benefits students through education, training, and exposure to current defense-relevant science and engineering work.
A central requirement is that proposed projects connect to Department of Warfighting (DoW) research interests, including the Under Secretary of Warfighting Research and Engineering (USW(RampE)) critical technology priorities and/or topics described in participating DoW Agencies broad agency announcements. The critical technology areas highlighted for alignment are Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI), Biomanufacturing (BIO), Contested Logistics Technologies (LOG), Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance (Q-BID), Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE), and Scaled Hypersonics (SHY). Applicants are expected to use the posted critical technology descriptions and Agency BAAs mainly to identify relevant research areas and to find technical points of contact who can discuss topic fit; however, applicants must follow the application instructions in this specific notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), not the submission rules written inside the BAAs.
Beyond the named critical technology areas, the solicitation also allows other basic research topics, as long as they are aligned with Agency interests described in the referenced BAAs (for example, the Army Research Laboratory combined BAA and the Office of Naval Research long-range BAA). Proposals that speak to more than one Agency interest area may be reviewed by multiple organizations, which can be helpful when the research cuts across domains. The NOFO also strongly encourages a team structure that includes both a Principal Investigator and a Co-Principal Investigator, and it encourages early communication with technical program managers listed in the Agency materials to confirm mutual interest and alignment.
The program is explicitly focused on basic research as the DoW defines it: systematic study aimed at increasing fundamental understanding of phenomena and observable facts, without a specific product or application as the primary goal. The intent is to fund work that expands the scientific foundation in physical sciences, engineering, life sciences, and information sciences in ways that may later enable defense capabilities, but at this stage remain exploratory and knowledge-building rather than development or prototyping.
A distinguishing feature of this opportunity is the combined emphasis on research excellence and educational impact at the institution. Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative approaches that build stronger science and engineering programs, improve institutional competitiveness for future defense research funding, and help attract, retain, and train students by involving them in state-of-the-art research. The NOFO does not prescribe a single model for how to do this. Instead, it expects each institution to tailor the project to its own strengths and needs, taking into account its current research capabilities, facilities, and equipment, and proposing a plan that realistically enhances both research capacity and student development in STEM areas relevant to DoW priorities.
Eligibility is restricted by statute. Only Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities may apply, as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965 and referenced in Section 223 of the FY 2026 NDAA. In practical terms, that means an HBCU must meet the definition of a "Part B institution" under 20 U.S.C. 1061, and a TCU must meet the definition under 20 U.S.C. 1059c(b). This is a closed competition limited to those institution types, rather than a general open solicitation.
Key administrative details provided include the funding opportunity number W911NF26S0085, CFDA 12.630, funding instrument type Grant, and activity category Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The award ceiling is listed as $2,000,000, and the original closing date is August 11, 2026. The opportunity is posted by the Department of the Army, Materiel Command, and applications are expected to be prepared and submitted according to the rules in the NOFO, using the Agency BAAs only for topic identification and program manager contact information rather than for proposal formatting or submission steps.Apply for W911NF26S0085
- The Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.630.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-11. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Research and Education Program for HBCUs and TCUs?
This is a Department of the Army (Army Materiel Command) discretionary grant opportunity that funds basic research projects while also strengthening STEM education and workforce preparation at eligible institutions. The program is designed to support fundamental, early-stage research tied to long-term national security needs, while directly involving and benefiting students through education, training, and exposure to defense-relevant science and engineering work.
Which federal organization is offering this grant?
The opportunity is posted by the Department of the Army, Army Materiel Command.
What type of funding instrument is used for awards?
The funding instrument type is a Grant.
What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA number?
The funding opportunity number is W911NF26S0085. The CFDA number is 12.630.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is listed as $2,000,000.
What is the closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date is August 11, 2026.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted by statute. Only Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) may apply, as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965 and referenced in Section 223 of the FY 2026 NDAA. This is a closed competition limited to those institution types.
How is an HBCU defined for purposes of eligibility?
An HBCU must meet the definition of a "Part B institution" under 20 U.S.C. 1061.
How is a TCU defined for purposes of eligibility?
A TCU must meet the definition under 20 U.S.C. 1059c(b).
Is this an open competition for all universities and organizations?
No. The solicitation is explicitly a closed competition limited to eligible HBCUs and TCUs.
What kinds of projects does the program fund?
The program funds basic research projects, as defined by the Department of Warfighting (DoW): systematic study aimed at increasing fundamental understanding of phenomena and observable facts, without a specific product or application as the primary goal. The intent is early-stage, exploratory, knowledge-building research that may later enable defense capabilities.
Does the program fund applied development, prototyping, or product-focused work?
The opportunity is explicitly focused on basic research rather than development or prototyping. Projects are expected to expand foundational scientific understanding, not to deliver a specific product or application as the primary goal.
What research areas are prioritized for alignment?
Proposed projects must connect to Department of Warfighting (DoW) research interests, including USW(RampE) critical technology priorities and/or topics described in participating DoW Agencies broad agency announcements (BAAs). The highlighted critical technology areas are Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI), Biomanufacturing (BIO), Contested Logistics Technologies (LOG), Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance (Q-BID), Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE), and Scaled Hypersonics (SHY).
Are research topics outside the named critical technology areas allowed?
Yes. The solicitation allows other basic research topics as long as they align with Agency interests described in the referenced BAAs (for example, the Army Research Laboratory combined BAA and the Office of Naval Research long-range BAA).
What is the role of the Agency BAAs in preparing an application?
The posted critical technology descriptions and Agency BAAs are mainly used to identify relevant research areas and to find technical points of contact who can discuss topic fit. Applicants must follow the application instructions in this specific notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), not the submission rules written inside the BAAs.
If a BAA has its own submission rules, should applicants follow those rules?
No. Applicants are expected to follow the application instructions in the NOFO for this opportunity. The BAAs are referenced for topic identification and program manager contact information, not for formatting or submission steps.
Can a proposal align with more than one Agency interest area?
Yes. Proposals that speak to more than one Agency interest area may be reviewed by multiple organizations. This can be helpful for research that cuts across domains.
Does the program encourage communication with technical program managers before submission?
Yes. The opportunity encourages early communication with technical program managers listed in the Agency materials to confirm mutual interest and alignment.
Does the NOFO recommend a specific team structure?
The NOFO strongly encourages a team structure that includes both a Principal Investigator (PI) and a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI).
What is the main purpose of the educational component?
A distinguishing feature is the combined emphasis on research excellence and educational impact. Projects are expected to strengthen STEM education and workforce preparation by directly involving students through education, training, and exposure to current defense-relevant science and engineering work.
Does the NOFO require a single specific model for how institutions should build education and workforce impacts?
No. The NOFO does not prescribe a single model. Each institution is expected to tailor its approach to its own strengths and needs, considering current research capabilities, facilities, and equipment, and proposing a plan that realistically enhances both research capacity and student development in STEM areas relevant to DoW priorities.
What broader institutional outcomes does the program aim to support?
Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative approaches that build stronger science and engineering programs, improve institutional competitiveness for future defense research funding, and help attract, retain, and train students by involving them in state-of-the-art research.
What is the activity category listed for this opportunity?
The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
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