F02 STEM NFO 05022023.pdf

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY: Washington Headquarters Services Acquisition Directorate

(WHS/AD)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE: Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) National Defense

Education Program (NDEP) Notice of Funding

Opportunity (NFO)

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial Announcement

NOTICE OF FUNDING

OPPORTUNITY (NFO) NUMBER:

HQ003423NFOEASD01

ASSISTANCE LISTING: 12.006 National Defense Education Program

KEY DATES: Posted: 9 February 2023

Closes: 2359 Eastern 8 February 2028

This NFO is a continuously open announcement.

Amendments to this NFO will be posted to Grants.gov if they occur. Amendments will detail requirements for white paper submissions, and select white paper submissions will be invited to submit a full application.

AGENCY CONTACT: Jonathan Bertsch

Grants Officer, WHS/AD

E-mail: jonathan.e.bertsch.civ@mail.mil mailto:jonathan.e.bertsch.civ@mail.mil

CONTENTS

I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

B. BACKGROUND

C. TOPICS OF INTEREST

D. AUTHORIZATION

E. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

F. PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

C. CONFLICT OF INTEREST

D. OTHER

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. SUBMISSION DATE AND TIME

B. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

C. APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS

D. APPLICATION WITHDRAWAL

E. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

F. CONTENT AND FORM OF WHITE PAPER AND APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS

G. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. SELECTION CRITERIA

B. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

C. ANTICIPATED ANNOUNCEMENT AND FEDERAL AWARD DATES

VI. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AWARD NOTICES

B. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

C. APPROPRIATIONS PROVISIONS ON TAX DELINQUENCY AND FELONY CONVICTIONS

D. PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTING WITH ENTITIES THAT REQUIRE CERTAIN INTERNAL

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS

VII. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

A. MONTHLY REPORTS

B. QUARTERLY REPORTS

C. ANNUAL REPORTS

D. FINAL REPORTS

E. PROPERTY REPORTS

VIII. OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS

IX. FEDERAL CONTACTS

X. OTHER INFORMATION

A. FEDERAL FUNDING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2006

B. CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYING

C. REPRESENTATION REGARDING AN UNPAID DELINQUENT TAX LIABILITY OR A FELONY

CONVICTION UNDER ANY FEDERAL LAW - DOD APPROPRIATIONS

D. REPRESENTATION REGARDING THE PROHIBITION ON USING FUNDS WITH ENTITIES THAT

REQUIRE CERTAIN INTERNAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS

E. CODE OF CONDUCT

F. HUMAN SUBJECT RESEARCH

G. INSTITUTIONAL DUAL USE RESEARCH OF CONCERN

H. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING PROGRAM

I. PROJECT MEETINGS AND REVIEWS

J. NDAA SECTION 889 COMPLIANCE

K. PROHIBITION OF USE OF HUMAN SUBJECTS

XI. INITIAL WORK PLAN

XII. WHITE PAPER TEMPLATE

XIII. APPENDIX

I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for

Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) seeks innovative applications on mechanisms to implement and research the effectiveness of STEM education, outreach, and/or workforce initiative programs, here onto referred as STEM activities.

In response to this NFO, the Department intends to release amendments and solicitations, such as Industry Days, Opportunity Days, etc., detailing funding opportunities through award(s) in STEM activities. These activities include, but are not limited to:

(1) STEM Education and Outreach

(2) Support for STEM Education at Two-Year Institutions/Community

Colleges (2YI/CCs)

(3) Manufacturing Engineering Education Program

(4) Education and Workforce Development aligned to the DoD Critical

Technology Areas

(5) Enhanced Civics Education

(6) STEM Scholarship Programs

(7) Strategic Partnerships

(8) Program Evaluations and Assessments

(9) Data Analytics and Visualizations

(10) Activities aligned to the DoD STEM Strategic Plan1

(11) Other NDEP Congressional Initiatives and Programs

In response to this NFO, applicants may be asked for a mandatory white paper submission, emailed to osd.dodstem@mail.mil. Use of the white paper is intended to determine which efforts are of merit preparatory to submission of a full application as described in Section IV. Applicants will be selected from the white paper submissions to be invited by the Government via email to submit a full application on Grants.gov for evaluation and possible award consideration. White papers that fail to address the areas listed in the Program Description of the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement will not be evaluated and will not receive an invitation to submit a full technical application.

The submission of a white paper is dependent on the NFO amendment or Industry

Day/Opportunity Day announcement. In addition to the submission requirements outlined in Section IV, all responses should address items in the specific NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement.

B. BACKGROUND

The Federal STEM Education Strategic Plan states, “The pace of innovation is accelerating globally, and with it the competition for scientific and technical talent. Now more than ever the innovation capacity of the United States—and its prosperity and security—depends on an effective and inclusive STEM education ecosystem”.2 A readily accessible, highly technical and diverse STEM talent is essential to the success of the Department’s Research and Engineering mission, and a national security imperative. The National Defense Strategy has called for the Department of Defense to make significant investments in critical technology areas to meet key capability and capacity needs, and a diverse technical talent is essential in completing this mission. As the largest employer of Federal scientists

1 https://dodstem-assets.dodstem.us/files/DoD_STEM_Strategic_Plan_2021.pdf 2 America’s Strategy for STEM Education - https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf mailto:osd.dodstem@mail.mil https://dodstem-assets.dodstem.us/files/DoD_STEM_Strategic_Plan_2021.pdf https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/STEM-Education-Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf and engineers across the Federal agencies, the DoD is committed to developing the Nation’s STEM talent.

The DoD employs a comprehensive approach to develop STEM talent for kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12), postsecondary students, and workforces within and beyond the DoD, known as DoD STEM.3 OUSD(R&E) provides policy and oversight for DoD STEM. DoD STEM is inclusive of Department-wide efforts that address near-, mid-, and long-term STEM talent development efforts. DoD STEM follows the DoD STEM Strategic Plan,4 which is aligned with the Federal STEM Education Strategic Plan,5 to ensure a diverse and sustainable STEM talent pool ready to serve the Nation and evolve the DoD’s competitive edge.

This NFO invites proposers to submit innovative ideas to the topics of interest, below.

C. TOPICS OF INTEREST

In accordance with 10 USC §2192, Improvement of education in technical fields:

general authority regarding education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, OUSD(R&E) is seeking a broad range of programs to support the

DoD STEM mission to “attract, inspire, and develop exceptional STEM talent across the education continuum to enrich the current and future DoD workforce to meet defense technological challenges.” The goal of any proposed effort must provide solutions that will establish and maintain a STEM talent pool with an aptitude for innovation, diversity of thought, and the technical agility to sustain the Department’s competitive edge.

The Department seeks to complement its portfolio of programs

(https://dodstem.us/participate/opportunities/) while maintaining and/or increasing its focus on underserved populations to include military-connected children and student veterans, as described in the DoD STEM Strategic Plan. This announcement explicitly encourages projects that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students and teachers, and prepare the 21st century technical workforce. Funding efforts will be targeted primarily towards programs that are aligned with the Federal STEM Education Strategy’s vision for a future where all

Americans will have lifelong access to high-quality STEM education, and the

United States will be the global leader in STEM literacy, innovation, and employment. This consists of strategic partnerships, convergence, and building computational literacy, and aligns with DoD STEM’s mission.

DoD STEM encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) as well as other institutions that support the recruitment, retention, and completion

3 http://dodstem.us/ 4 https://dodstem-assets.dodstem.us/files/DoD_STEM_Strategic_Plan_2021.pdf 5 https://dodstem-assets.dodstem.us/files/2018-23-Federal-STEM-Education-Strategic-Plan.pdf https://dodstem.us/participate/opportunities/ http://dodstem.us/ https://dodstem-assets.dodstem.us/files/DoD_STEM_Strategic_Plan_2021.pdf https://dodstem-assets.dodstem.us/files/2018-23-Federal-STEM-Education-Strategic-Plan.pdf

(certificate, degree, program) of groups historically underrepresented in STEM fields. DoD STEM is particularly interested in proposals from all types of

Minority Serving Institutions, including Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and

Universities, and Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions and programs serving students underserved or underrepresented in STEM.

Specific initiatives supported through this NFO include, but are not limited to, topics outlined in the following sections.

(1) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Outreach

STEM education and workforce development is a priority of the

Department, and the DoD seeks methods in which it can more effectively cultivate a diverse, agile, and world-class STEM workforce. Through effective programming, the DoD supports the transformation of a STEM talent pool that will lead the Department and the Nation into the future.

The Department fully encourages future workforce development initiatives that align with the strategic, operational, and tactical needs of our nation’s defense. By encouraging a broad range of innovative education and workforce development approaches, the DoD aims to put the 21st century STEM workforce in a position for success in an ever-changing and increasingly competitive world.

Project scope may range in size and complexity. Projects may have an emphasis on hands on- problem based learning activities, mentor-centered programming, education outcomes, invention education, Convergence

Education (see Appendix for definition), Computational Literacy (see

Appendix for definition), an awareness of the multiple STEM disciplines, and/or career pathways/opportunities in the DoD.

(2) Support for STEM Education at Two-Year Institutions/Community

Colleges (2YI/CCs)

STEM education is expanding beyond traditional engineering and scientific communities and it is increasingly critical for industrial skills proficiency. As such, the Skilled Technical Workforce (STW)6 and

2YI/CCs are vital to the education and innovation of our Nation. In 2019, 2YI/CCs educated 41% of all undergraduate students.7 Further, the student body of community colleges have a breadth of racial and ethnic representation: among undergraduate students, 56% of Native American students, 53% of Hispanic students, 43% of Black students, and 38% of

6 STW is a term for occupations that require a high-level of knowledge in a technical domain but do not require a bachelor’s degree.

7 https://www.aacc.nche.edu/research-trends/fast-facts/ https://www.aacc.nche.edu/research-trends/fast-facts/

Asian/Pacific Islander students attend Community College.8 Additionally, 2YI/CCs reach other non-traditional students such as parents,9 students that are also employed part- or full-time,10 and military personnel.11

However, 2YI/CCs and their students face a unique set of challenges, including, but not limited to, a lack of work-based and research-based opportunities tailored to 2YI/CC students, a need for seamless transition of credit to 4YIs and the workplace, wraparound support services (factors affecting student engagement and participation, for example, childcare, transportation, auxiliary costs), administrative support to execute programs, and the need for mentoring and advising tailored to the unique needs and backgrounds of 2YI/CC students.

The Department may seek to directly support STEM and STW education at 2YIs/CCs by developing exceptional STEM and STW talent. This may look like a regional consortium-based model, grant, or other award.

Through grants and/or cooperative agreement awards to regional consortia or 2YI/CCs, DoD STEM aims to foster communication, collaboration, and a STEM education ecosystem around 2YI/CCs. Two-Year Institutions and

Community Colleges benefit from strong connections to both industry and

4YIs; these regional ecosystems can ensure their coursework and programs address the current need for workers and prepares students for future curricula. Awards should promote the capacity of 2YI/CCs to create impactful STEM and STW educational experiences for students, including, but not limited to, collaborative partnerships.

The DoD seeks programs that emphasize areas that support the future mission of the DoD. These include DoD critical technology areas, such as biotechnology, cyber, microelectronics, and autonomy, from the research and development phase through advanced manufacturing.12 The DoD is interested in supporting placement of qualified students, upon completion of the program, to DoD and DIB manufacturing, research, and career opportunities, or a pathway to other educational opportunities. Proposed programs should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the needs of

2YI/CCs in regards to STEM and STW education, potential solutions, and outcomes from enhanced quality and effectiveness of 2YI/CC support.

(3) Manufacturing Engineering Education Program

A robust, highly skilled advanced manufacturing workforce is critical in defense-focused industrial strategy, which requires innovative and bold solutions of complex systems. The manufacturing sector is a critical

8 https://www.aacc.nche.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DataPoints_V7_N2.pdf 9 https://www.aacc.nche.edu/2021/01/20/42067/ 10 https://www.aacc.nche.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DataPoints_V7_N2.pdf 11 https://www.aacc.nche.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/DataPointsV6N17.pdf 12 https://www.cto.mil/modernization-priorities/ https://www.aacc.nche.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DataPoints_V7_N2.pdf https://www.aacc.nche.edu/2021/01/20/42067/ https://www.aacc.nche.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DataPoints_V7_N2.pdf https://www.aacc.nche.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/DataPointsV6N17.pdf https://www.cto.mil/modernization-priorities/ foundation of our Nation’s workforce prepared to support defense missions.13 In manufacturing, for every job that requires a master’s degree or more, two jobs require a four-year degree, and seven jobs require a one-year certificate or two-year degree.14 However, there is an acute skills gap between current and future manufacturing jobs and the skilled talent pool capable of filling them; a 2018 study found that a manufacturing skills gap may leave an estimated 2.4 million positions unfilled by 2028.15 Further, less than half of Americans believe that manufacturing jobs are interesting, rewarding, clean, safe, stable, and secure, leading to only 27 percent of parents who would encourage their children to pursue a manufacturing career.16

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017 established the “Manufacturing Engineering Education Program,” (MEEP)

(10 U.S.C. § 4843) which authorizes the DoD to support industry-relevant, manufacturing-focused, engineering training at United States institutions of higher education, industry, nonprofit institutions, and consortia of such institutions or industry.

The Department may seek to further support MEEP through establishing new or to enhancing existing programs (or collections of programs) to better position the current and next-generation manufacturing workforce to produce military systems and components that assure technological superiority for the DoD.

Interested parties should focus programs on manufacturing education to support one or more distinct manufacturing technologies; e.g.

manufacturing of lightweight structures, systems and materials; robotics for manufacturing; manufacturing to exploit nanotechnology;

manufacturing of components and systems for power generation, storage, or distribution; manufacturing of multi-functional electronics and/or optical devices; or other manufacturing technologies of regional or industrial sector of interest.

Proposed efforts should develop and enhance curricula and programs to effectively develop skills sets needed for students to operate in multidisciplinary design and manufacturing environments, including those for which manufacturing schema are informed by computational tools for

13 Pisano, Gary P., and Willy C. Shih. “Does America Really Need Manufacturing?” Harvard Business Review, (March 2012), 90, no. 3 14 “Manufacturing Workforce Development Playbook: Preparing for the manufacturing renaissance in America.”

2014. Edited by Keith S. Campbell. Published by Summit Media Group.

15 “2018 Deloitte skills gap and future of work in manufacturing study.” 2018.

https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/insights/us/articles/4736_2018-Deloitte-skills-gap-FoW-manufacturing/DI_2018-Deloitte-skills-gap-FoW-manufacturing-study.pdf 16 Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, “A look ahead How modern manufacturers can create positive perceptions with the US public.” 2017, http://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/insights/us/articles/4736_2018-Deloitte-skills-gap-FoW-manufacturing/DI_2018-Deloitte-skills-gap-FoW-manufacturing-study.pdf https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/insights/us/articles/4736_2018-Deloitte-skills-gap-FoW-manufacturing/DI_2018-Deloitte-skills-gap-FoW-manufacturing-study.pdf http://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/ modeling and simulation. Students also should be prepared to work effectively in environments where multiple engineering disciplines are engaged during design, development and manufacturing, and where the roles of manufacturers and suppliers in businesses of various sizes, from start-ups to major systems integrators, are optimized.

Any proposed program or collection of programs should be able to demonstrate the increased understanding of manufacturing engineering challenges and potential solutions, and the enhanced quality and effectiveness of the instruction that result from that increased understanding.

(4) Education and Workforce Development Aligned to the DoD Critical

Technology Areas

To ensure enduring US leadership in science and technology, it is critical to support education and training in DoD critical technology areas17 to develop a robust technical workforce. The Department seeks to enhance its portfolio of programs by focusing on activities aligned to critical technology areas by explicitly encouraging proposals that improve capability of education systems and communities to create impactful educational experiences for students and teachers and prepare the 21st century technical workforce. Current critical technology areas include:

• Biotechnology

• Quantum Science

• Future Generation Wireless Technology (Future G)

• Advanced Materials

• Trusted AI and Autonomy

• Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems

• Microelectronics

• Space Technology

• Renewable Energy Generation and Storage

• Advanced Computing and Software

• Human-Machine Interfaces

• Directed Energy

• Hypersonics

• Integrated Sensing and Cyber

Funding efforts will be targeted primarily towards programs, both formal and informal, with a vision for a future where all Americans will have lifelong access to high-quality education, and the United States will be the global leader in innovation, and employment. Applicants should include how proposed efforts connect to this vision.

17 https://www.cto.mil/usdre-strat-vision-critical-tech-areas/ https://www.cto.mil/usdre-strat-vision-critical-tech-areas/

(5) Enhanced Civics Education

In accordance with Section 234 of the FY2020 NDAA (in the Appendix), NDEP may seek applications on programs that provide Enhanced Civics education in areas such as critical thinking and media literacy, and interest in employment, and careers, in public service. This includes the improvement of students’ abilities with respect to research and information fluency, problem solving skills, technology operations and concepts, and information and technological literacy.

Such support as described can only be provided to eligible entities, which are limited to either a local education agency that hosts a unit of the Junior

Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), a school operated by

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), or some combination of these two.

(6) STEM Scholarship Programs

The DoD may seek applications to fund scholarship programs that support rising scientists and engineers that will be the future of our Nation’s

STEM talent that meets unique defense mission and operational needs.

These scholarship programs may support high school students, Two-Year

Institutions/Community Colleges students, undergraduate students, graduate students, student veterans and their spouses pursuing STEM or

STW careers in fields of high priority to the DoD, and/or researchers.

Scholarship programs may include a service requirement associated with the award. Additionally, dedicated funding may be allocated for scholarships that support target groups in STEM education and workforce development (e.g., underrepresented and underserved populations18 or reskilling/upskilling of veterans). Any new scholarship program should complement existing DoD scholarship funding, rather than duplicate current programs.

(7) Strategic Partnerships

The DoD may seek to fund programs and initiatives that support strategic partnerships with awardees, collaborators, and stakeholders across academia, the defense industrial base, non-profit industries, the Federal

Government, and others, in alignment with the DoD STEM and Federal

STEM Education strategic vision and mission. These strategic partnerships may also be developed and fostered through STEM education ecosystems.19 Through engaging with and leveraging strategic

18 DoD STEM’s definition of traditionally or historically underserved and underrepresented populations in STEM is in the Strategic Plan: https://dodstem-assets.dodstem.us/files/DoD_STEM_Strategic_Plan_2021.pdf 19 Federal definition for STEM education ecosystems: STEM education ecosystems consist of multi-sector partners united by a collective vision of supporting participation in STEM through the creation of accessible, inclusive https://dodstem-assets.dodstem.us/files/DoD_STEM_Strategic_Plan_2021.pdf partnerships, the DoD aims to create more effective and efficient STEM education and workforce development interventions, and to amplify awareness of DoD STEM education and career opportunities. Benefits of collaborating through strategic partnerships and STEM education ecosystems includes, but are not limited to, common articulation of STEM workforce shortfalls, common approach to collecting metrics and evaluating programs, sharing of best practices, and communicating opportunities to engage students in pathways to defense careers.

(8) Program Evaluations and Assessments

Strategic goal 4.0 from the FY 2021-2025 DoD STEM Strategic Plan is to

“advance the efficiency and effectiveness of STEM education and workforce development programs, activities, and outreach through evaluation and assessment.” In alignment with this strategic goal, in alignment with the Federal STEM Education strategic goal of operating with transparency and accountability, and to satisfy the requirements of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Reauthorization

Act of 2010, DoD STEM may seek to fund evaluation efforts that analyze the outcomes and impacts of DoD STEM education and outreach programming. As noted in DoD Instruction 1025.11, DoD STEM

Education Programs and Activities, program evaluation results may be used to assess a program's effectiveness, identify how to improve performance, or guide resource allocation.20 All evaluation efforts should complement and add to current evaluation efforts,21 both at the portfolio and individual program/Component level.

Evaluation efforts of interest may include, but are not limited to, near term outcomes (i.e., participant STEM competencies, such as STEM skills, knowledge, abilities, efficacy; and participant awareness of, and interest in, DoD STEM research and careers), mid- and long-term outcomes (i.e., sustained student pursuit and achievement of STEM and DoD STEM careers; and increased student pursuit of STEM coursework in secondary and post-secondary schooling), and/or system-level evaluations (i.e., assessments on the health, efficiency, and effectiveness of STEM education ecosystems).

(9) Data Analytics and Visualizations

STEM learning opportunities spanning all education stages and career pathways. A STEM education ecosystem continuously evaluates its activities and adapts as needed, plans for the long-term, and communicates its work to build broad support and advance best-practices. (2020 Progress Report on the Implementation of the Federal STEM

Education Strategic Plan (archives.gov)) 20 https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/102511p.pdf?ver=2020-08-26-102256-227 21 https://dodstem.us/about/impact/ https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/102511p.pdf?ver=2020-08-26-102256-227 https://dodstem.us/about/impact/

The DoD may seek to fund data analytic and visualization efforts and initiatives. These efforts may increase effective monitoring and reporting on progress towards program objectives, provide resources that show the availability of STEM education and outreach programs and resources throughout the nation, and/or communicate and demonstrate the value of

DoD STEM programs. Through data analytics and visualizations, DoD

STEM internal and external stakeholders may gain a better understanding of the breadth, depth, and reach of collaborative efforts across the DoD

STEM education and workforce development programs, and DoD STEM may be better positioned at the forefront of public dissemination efforts for program performance and outcome data.

(10) Activities Aligned to the DoD STEM Strategic Plan

The DoD may seek to fund activities aligned to DoD STEM’s strategic vision and mission, and/or support any of the strategic goals. These strategic vision, mission, and goals are subject to change as the DoD

STEM Strategic Plan is updated.

The vision and mission FY 2021-2025 DoD STEM Strategic Plan is below:

• DoD STEM Vision: A Diverse and sustainable STEM talent pool ready to serve our Nation and extend the DoD’s competitive edge; and

• DoD STEM Mission: Inspire, cultivate, and develop exceptional

STEM talent through a continuum of opportunities to enrich our current and future DoD workforce poised to tackle evolving defense technological challenges.

Corresponding strategic goals outlined in the FY 2021-2025 DoD STEM

Strategic Plan are below:

1. Inspire community engagement in DoD STEM education programs and activities to provide meaningful STEM learning opportunities for students and educators.

2. Attract the Nation’s and DoD’s current and future STEM workforce through multiple pathways to educational and career opportunities.

3. Increase participation of underserved and underrepresented groups in

STEM education and workforce development programs, activities, and outreach.

4. Advance the efficiency and effectiveness of STEM education and workforce development programs, activities, and outreach through evaluation and assessment.

(11) Other NDEP Congressional Initiatives and Programs

NDEP fosters and enhances the DoD’s ability to develop and access high-quality STEM talent vital to national defense, now and in the future.

Aligned to the Federal STEM Education Strategic Plan, NDEP addresses critical STEM education and talent development challenges using a continuous learning structure and evidence-based approaches.

Specifically, NDEP is part of the broader Department-wide effort under

DoD STEM, which works collectively with partners from academia, industry, not-for-profit organizations, defense laboratories and engineering centers, and other government entities to: (1) build strong foundations for

STEM literacy; (2) increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM; and

(3) prepare the STEM workforce of the future.

Additionally, the DoD may seek to fund additional NDEP congressional education initiatives, programs, and activities.

D. AUTHORIZATION

The authorization to make awards under this NFO may be found via Assistance

Listing (formerly, the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance [CFDA] Number)

12.006 at https://sam.gov/content/assistance-listings.

E. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Each grant awarded under this announcement will be governed by the general terms and conditions in effect at the time of the award that conform to the DoD’s implementation of OMB guidance applicable to financial assistance in 2 CFR

1100 [Subchapter D – Administrative Requirements Terms and Conditions for

Cost-Type Grants and Cooperative Agreements to Nonprofit and Government

Entities] which are located at https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions. These terms and conditions are incorporated by reference in this announcement.

F. PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Not applicable.

II. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

The Department intends to award multiple grants in the Topics of Interest (Section I.C.)

subject to the availability of funds.

The DoD expects projects to be completed within the performance period of the specified award. Any requests for no-cost extensions must be fully justified and submitted to the

Grants Officer no later than 60 days before the end of the period of performance.

Submission does not guarantee approval. Per 2 CFR 200.339, an award can be terminated for several reasons: failure to comply with terms and conditions of the award, for cause

(meaning non-performance), by consent of the two parties; and the awardee can likewise initiate a termination.

https://sam.gov/content/assistance-listings https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Applicants are required to submit a white paper no later than the date specified in the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement. White papers should follow the designated template (Section XII) and include a project summary, technical concept, rough order of magnitude cost, and relevance to topic(s) of interest (additional information on white paper content is outlined in

Section IV.F.1.). The white paper should be emailed to osd.dodstem@mail.mil with the subject line, “NFO White Paper Submission.” Applicants will be selected from the white paper submissions to be invited by the Government via email to submit a full technical application on Grants.gov for evaluation and possible award consideration.

Eligible applicants include: industry, non-profit institutions, institutions of higher education, state and/or local educational agencies, or consortia of such institutions and/or industry. Foreign entities will not be considered.

Current and past awardees from this initiative, or previous versions of this initiative, are eligible to submit white papers/applications under this NFO.

Defense laboratories, military universities, and warfare centers, as well as other

DoD and civilian agency laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this

NFO. If any such organization is interested in the program described herein, the organization may contact DoD STEM at osd.dodstem@mail.mil to discuss potential projects. The subject line of the email shall read “NDEP NFO Potential

Project Inquiry.”

Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), including

Department of Energy National Laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this NFO. However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal applicants are allowed so long as they are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC.

University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) are eligible to submit white papers and applications under this NFO, unless precluded from doing so by their

Department of Defense UARC contract.

Religious organizations are entitled to compete on equal footing with secular organizations for Federal financial assistance as described in Executive Order

(EO) 13798, “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty.”

To prevent the bias and unfair competitive advantage resulting from conflicting rules, Applicants must identify in their application any organizational conflict of interests (OCI) which may exist. If an Applicant has an actual or potential OCI, their application must identify the OCI and the mitigation plan to address it using mailto:osd.dodstem@mail.mil

ADAP Form 209.506-1. Silence on this topic in an application will be understood to mean there is no OCI with the Applicant.

B. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

The primary basis for selecting applications for award will be technical merit, relevance to the subject of the solicitation, proposed cost realism and reasonableness, and the availability of funds to support the effort. If offered, voluntary cost sharing may be considered as a demonstration of an offeror’s commitment to their proposed project. Any proposed cost sharing becomes a binding term of any award. WHS/AD reserves the right to request and require additional supporting information and documentation after it makes the selection determination. WHS/AD reserves the right to remove Applicants from award consideration if the parties fail to reach agreement on award terms, conditions, or cost/price within a reasonable time; or if the Applicants fail to provide requested or required additional information in a timely manner.

C. CONFLICT OF INTEREST

(1) General Requirement for Disclosure

The Applicant, and any additional partners, must disclose any potential or actual scientific or nonscientific conflict of interest(s) to the Government.

The applicant, and any partners, must also disclose any potential or actual conflict(s) of interest for any identified sub recipient included in the application. The Government or Grants Officer reserves the right to clarify any conflicts of interest, if needed.

At the Government and/or Grants Officer’s discretion, the Government and/or Grants Officer may ask the Applicant and/or additional partners for a conflict of interest mitigation plan after submission of the application.

The plan is subject to Government and/or Grants Officer approval.

(2) Scientific Conflict of Interest

Scientific collaborations on research and development projects are generally the result of close collaboration prior to the submission of applications for support. Accordingly, these collaborations should be considered when considering potential conflicts of interest. The potential conflict is mitigated by the disclosure of these collaborations, and the list of current and pending support the applicant provides for senior and key researchers. Therefore, the applicant must include in their list of current and pending support all collaborators, even if they did not formally provide support.

D. OTHER

The Applicant must include the Acknowledgment of Support and Disclaimer on all materials created or produced under our awards. This language may be found in the

Terms and Conditions included in the award documents.

To apply for grants and other funding opportunities the applicant entity must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). Applications will not be accepted through Grants.gov or other methods unless the entity is registered in SAM.

Registration in SAM now includes the acceptance of Certifications and Assurances. SAM may be accessed at: https://www.sam.gov. See https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/grantors/grantor-standard-language.html and

“Attachment A - Registration and Submission Instructions” for details on how to register in SAM, and Grants.gov.

The Federal Assistance Certifications Report is an attestation that the entity will abide by the requirements of the various laws and regulations; therefore, as applicable, the applicant is still required to submit any documentation, including the SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable), and, if applicable, informing the DoD of unpaid delinquent tax liability or a felony conviction under any Federal law.

For more information, see “Attachment C: Certifications and Representations.”

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. SUBMISSION DATE AND TIME

The DoD will only accept applications submitted on or before the date specified in the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement. Read the instructions in https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/grantors/grantor-standard-language.html about registering to apply for DoD funds. If the applicant experiences difficulties with their submission, Grants.gov provides support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. This ticket number will allow the DoD to verify the issue if it cannot be resolved by the application date.

Applicants are required to submit a white paper no later than the date specified in the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement. The white paper should be emailed to osd.dodstem@mail.mil with the subject line, “NFO

White Paper Submission.” Applicants will be selected from the white paper submissions to be invited by the Government via email to submit a full technical application on Grants.gov for evaluation and possible award consideration.

B. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

The application package for this NFO is available on Grants.gov. Amendments to this NFO will be posted to the above website when they occur. Interested parties are encouraged to periodically check the above website for updates and amendments.

https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/grantors/grantor-standard-language.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/grantors/grantor-standard-language.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/grantors/grantor-standard-language.html mailto:support@grants.gov

C. APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS

This NFO competition is implemented in two stages:

(1) Applicants must submit a white paper by the designated deadline specified in the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement.

(2) Based on assessment of the white paper, selected applicants will be invited to submit an application by the designated deadline.

The Government only seeks white papers that are relevant and responsive to the

Topics of Interest in Section I.C. Applicants MUST submit a separate white paper for each NFO award consideration. Applications that fail to address the areas listed in the Topics of Interest will be rejected and not considered further.

As mentioned prior, white papers are a MANDATORY component of a two-part submission process. White papers must NOT be submitted through Grants.gov.

Instead, white papers are to be submitted via email to DoD STEM at osd.dodstem@mail.mil as a PDF file. The subject line of the email shall read

“NFO White Paper Submission.” There is an email size limit of 5 MB per email.

Only email submissions will be accepted and reviewed.

DO NOT SEND: Hardcopies (including facsimiles)

DO NOT SEND: ZIP files

DO NOT SEND: Password protected files.

White papers received after the due date and time specified in the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement will not be considered under any circumstance. Time of receipt will be determined by the date and time the email is received in the DoD STEM email inbox. Some submitters have experienced significant transmission delays when submitting white papers. Early submission is encouraged. Submitters may request verification of receipt.

Applications will only be accepted if submitted through Grants.gov.

Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), active System for

Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants. Please see “Attachment A - Registration and Submission Instructions” for details on how to go through this process.

Full application packages must be submitted electronically to Grants.gov no later than the date specified in the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement.

Applicants are responsible for submitting their applications in sufficient time to allow them to reach Grants.gov by the date and time specified in this announcement. It is strongly recommended that applications be uploaded at least two days before the closing date and time. This will help avoid problems caused by high system usage or any potential technical and/or input problems involving the applicant’s own equipment. It will also allow any application errors detected by Grants.gov to be corrected in time for the application to be resubmitted. If the application is received by Grants.gov after the exact time and date specified as the deadline for receipt, it will be considered “late” and may not be considered for review.

Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt by Grants.gov includes documentary evidence of receipt maintained by Grants.gov, and Grants.gov e-mails to the applicant confirming receipt. These e-mails will indicate 1) the application was received on time, 2) application was rejected due to errors, 3) application was received after the deadline. Note that this Grants.gov response may occur over several e-mails, e.g., one acknowledging on-time receipt, and a later e-mail rejecting for errors the system detected. Applicants can also track the status of their applications at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/track-my-application.html.

D. APPLICATION WITHDRAWAL

An applicant may withdraw an application at any time before award by written notice or by email. Notice of withdrawal shall be sent to the grants officer identified in this announcement. Withdrawals are effective upon receipt of notice by the grants officer.

E. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

Not applicable.

F. CONTENT AND FORM OF WHITE PAPER AND APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS

See https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/grantors/grantor-standard-language.html for information on how to complete the application using Workspace on

Grants.gov.

Proposals will be evaluated by Government personnel and/or Non-Government reviewers. Non-Government reviewers may include university faculty and staff researchers. Each reviewer is required to sign a conflict-of-interest and confidentiality statement attesting that the reviewer has no known conflicts of interest, and that application and evaluation information will not be disclosed outside the evaluation panel. The names and affiliations of reviewers are not disclosed. All submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable law and DoD regulations. Applicants are expected to appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains proprietary information.

Common formatting requirements across all submitted documents:

• Font: 12 point, Times New Roman

• Margins: 1 inch on all sides https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/track-my-application.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/track-my-application.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/grantors/grantor-standard-language.html

• Paper size: 8 ½ by 11 inches

• Titles given to white papers and full applications should be descriptive of the proposed work and should not be merely a copy of the title of this announcement.

• Documentation submitted under this NFO are expected to be unclassified;

classified applications are not permitted.

• All documents must be submitted in PDF format.

• Preapplications and proposals will be evaluated by Government personnel and/or Non-Government reviewers. Non-Government reviewers may include university faculty and staff researchers. Each reviewer is required to sign a conflict-of-interest and confidentiality statement attesting that the reviewer has no known conflicts of interest, and that application and evaluation information will not be disclosed outside the evaluation panel. The names and affiliations of reviewers are not disclosed.

• All submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable law and DoD regulations. The applicant is expected to appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains proprietary information.

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) is required for both white paper and full application submissions (two (2) page limit, single-sided per applicant). The CV should include relevant experience, publications, and funding received in the area of interest, and any previous involvement and experiences with the DoD. List all previous DoD funding including project titles within the last eight years.

(1) White Papers

• The due date for receipt of white papers will be specified in the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement. White papers received after the published deadline will not be considered under any circumstance. Early submission of white papers is welcomed and encouraged. White papers should follow the designated template in Section XII of this NFO.

• Sections required:

o Cover page (1 page maximum): The Cover Page shall be labeled

“White Paper,” and shall include the Funding Opportunity

Number, project title, applicant’s institution, technical and administrative Points of Contact (POCs), proposed title, Topic of

Interest(s) addressed (as specified in the NFO amendment or

Industry Day/Opportunity Day announcement), and estimated total cost of the project.

o Summary (1 page maximum): A summary of the proposed effort.

Proposed public benefit must be expressly addressed.

o Technical Concept (3 page maximum): A description of the proposed effort and how it advances the DoD STEM mission. The project idea, technical rationale, and approach must identify a problem(s), arguments to substantiate the claims made, and proposed approach to address the issue. The Applicant’s capacities must be discussed as they relate to achieving success in the project, to include effective program evaluation and sustainability plans.

The project must address the Topic of Interest stated in Section

I.C. and provide answers to the following:

▪ What does the proposed work aim to accomplish or do? If applicable, how are these goals related to and advancing any current outcomes of existing programs?

▪ What is the approach to meeting those goals?

▪ What will the impact be if the work is successful?

▪ Discuss how the effort will be evaluated, including what metrics will be collected and evaluation method(s) used.

o Relevance to Topic(s) of Interest specified in the NFO amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day (1 page maximum): A description of relevance to Topic(s) of Interest. How does it meet the goals of the Topic of Interest, as outlined in the NFO

Amendment or Industry Day/Opportunity Day?

o Rough Order of Magnitude Cost (1 page maximum): White papers shall include a rough order of magnitude cost showing requested funding per year and total cost, and which suggests spending priorities to satisfy Section I.C. This includes, but is not limited to, a rough explanation of anticipated costs including indirect, direct, administrative, overhead, labor, travel, and sub-contracting costs.

Also describe a strategy for program sustainability, such that following the completion of DoD STEM’s investment under this funding opportunity, the effort will have a clear financial path and leave enduring organization capability.

o CV and References (2 page maximum for each CV): The CV of the lead PI, as well as any accompanying references, should be included at the end of the document.

The white paper should be emailed to osd.dodstem@mail.mil with the subject line, “NFO White Paper Submission.” Applicants will be selected from the white paper submissions to be invited by the Government via email to submit a full technical application on Grants.gov for evaluation and possible award consideration.

(2) Full Applications

Applicants must complete the mandatory forms and any optional forms in accordance with the instructions on the forms and the additional instructions below. The required fields should be completed in accordance with the “pop-up” instructions on the forms. To activate the instructions, turn on the “Help Mode” (icon with the pointer and question mark at the top of the form). Files that are attached to the forms must be in Adobe

Portable Document Form (PDF), except for the Initial Work Plan, and unless otherwise specified in this announcement. The applicant must mark their application with the announcement number. A summary of what is required for a complete application is below.

Attachments to Required forms (See Attachment B for detailed instructions on filling out the SF-424 Forms for DoD grants)

The chart below specifies which forms and attachments required and specifies the maximum page lengths for attachments to be submitted along with the completed form.

Form Associated

Field

Attachment Attachment Maximum

Length (Suggested)

SF 424 (R&R)

Application for

Federal Assistance, including an authorized signature

17 SFLL Disclosure of

Lobbying Activities

As Required

18 Representation for

Tax Delinquency, Felony Conviction, and Internal

Confidentiality

Agreements

As…