FEDERAL AWARDING

AGENCY:

Washington Headquarters Services Acquisition

Directorate (WHS/AD)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

TITLE:

Department of War (DoW) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) National Defense

Education Program (NDEP) Notice of Funding

Opportunity (NFO)

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Amendment 06: STEM Education and Outreach – JROTC

STEM Leadership Academy

NOTICE OF FUNDING

OPPORTUNITY (NFO)

NUMBER:

HQ003423NFOEASD01

ASSISTANCE LISTING: 12.006 National Defense Education Program

KEY DATES: Amendment Posted: 7 May 2026

Technical Applications Due: 19 May 2026, 23:59 Eastern

Notification of Award (Tentative): 1 June 2026

Award Finalized (Tentative): 15 June 2026

AGENCY CONTACT: Jonathan Bertsch

Grants Officer, WHS/AD

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

I. Program Description

The DoW National Defense Education Program (NDEP) is seeking to enhance its existing program in STEM education and workforce development through JROTC STEM Leadership

Academies nationwide. NDEP is seeking applications aimed to support this nationwide programming for both 2026 and 2027 for JROTC cadets including program implementation, curriculum development for cyber and Artificial Intelligence concepts, and data collection and reporting. Awardees should leverage partnerships with new and existing connections with school districts as well as JROTC programs nationwide to successfully execute programs.

STEM education and workforce development is a priority of the Department, and the DoW seeks methods in which it can more effectively cultivate an agile and world-class STEM workforce.

Through effective programming, the DoW supports the transformation of a STEM talent pool that will lead the Department and the Nation into the future.

Interested parties should submit a technical application in response to this amendment no later than 19 May 2026, 23:59 Eastern following the instructions and template outlined in

Section IV of the NFO.

The technical application must be submitted on Grants.gov for evaluation and possible award consideration.

Federal Award Information

The Department intends to award one grant with a maximum grant award of $2M for the period of 15 June 2026 through 31 October 2027, subject to the availability of funds.

II. Technical Application Requirements

Technical applications must adhere to all application guidelines and page limits, found in NFO

Section IV.

The Project Narrative page limit is 25 pages, and is broken out as follows. Descriptions of each section are outlined in the NFO (Section IV.F.b.).

• Cover Page – 1 page

• Table of Contents – 1 page

• Technical Approach and Justification – no more than 7 pages

• Project Schedule and Milestones – no more than 2 pages

• Financial Breakdown – no more than 2 pages

• Reports – no more than 1 page

• Management Approach – no more than 1 page

• Metrics and Evaluation – no more than 2 pages

• Qualifications – no more than 1 page

• Responsibility – no more than 1 pages

• Facilities & Equipment – 1 page

• Work Plan – no more than 5 pages

III. Evaluation Criteria

Awards under this NFO Amendment will be made to applicants on the basis of the evaluation criteria listed below. The weight or relative importance of each criterion is included in parentheses.

1) Overall technical merits (60%):

Overall technical merits of the applicant’s proposal shall clearly describe its creativity, innovation, feasibility, and efficacy to achieve the NFO objectives. Also considered is:

a) The quality of the program’s plan to execute proposed activity and assess effectiveness of the program and participant outcomes;

b) The Applicant’s capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of these which are integral factors for achieving the application objectives; and

c) The qualifications, capabilities and experience of the proposed Project Director /

Principal Investigator, team leader and key personnel who are critical to achieving the application objectives.

2) Relevance and Alignment (20%):

Application must address programs and capabilities listed in this Amendment. Manufacturing activities, industrial sectors, or regional interests should be relevant to national security and economic competitiveness.

3) Cost Analysis (20%):

A cost analysis will be performed to determine reasonableness of the proposed budget. Long-term sustainability plan will also be evaluated under this criterion. The availability of funds to support the effort and long-term sustainability of the project will also be considered.