Basic energy science research to improve warfighter effectiveness

The University of St. Thomas received a $3.3 million Cooperative Agreement awarded on August 4, 2025, by the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command under the Basic Scientific Research program (CFDA 12.431). This agreement, with performance through August 3, 2027, supports fundamental scientific investigation aimed at improving warfighter effectiveness through basic energy science research. The university will conduct research activities at its St. Paul, Minnesota campus, leveraging its established research capabilities and scientific expertise to generate innovative discoveries applicable to long-term national security challenges in materials science, energy systems, and related scientific disciplines.

Under the Basic Scientific Research program guidelines, the University of St. Thomas will deliver research outputs consistent with high-risk, high-payoff scientific initiatives, including experimental design, data collection and analysis, technical reporting, and dissemination of findings. The cooperative agreement structure indicates collaborative engagement between the university and the Army, with the institution's research activities expected to contribute to the Department of the Army's strategic objectives for maintaining dominant capabilities in energy science and related technologies supporting military operational effectiveness.