FY22 DoD Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions | N00014 22 S F005

Opportunity Information: Apply for N00014 22 S F005

The FY22 DoD Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) is a Department of Defense funding opportunity administered through the Office of Naval Research (ONR), in coordination with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)). Backed by the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2362 and contingent on the availability of funds, the program invites unclassified basic or applied research proposals from eligible HBCUs and MSIs in scientific and engineering areas that align with Department of Defense and ONR priorities. The overall intent is to expand the defense research base by strengthening the research capacity and competitiveness of institutions that have historically been underrepresented in major DoD research portfolios.

The program has several interconnected goals that tie research funding to long-term institutional growth and workforce development. First, it aims to enhance research programs and infrastructure in disciplines that matter to national security, meaning fields where new knowledge, tools, systems, and technical capabilities support defense readiness and future mission needs. Second, it is designed to increase the ability of HBCU/MIs to participate more fully across DoD research programs and related activities, which includes not only conducting strong projects under this award but also building the experience, track record, and partnerships that make future DoD participation more likely. Third, it emphasizes growing the number of STEM graduates, including students from underrepresented backgrounds, in areas important to the defense mission. In practical terms, that signals an expectation that proposed projects will include meaningful education and training components, such as research experiences for undergraduate and graduate students, mentorship, and pathways that help students persist into advanced study or technical careers.

A distinctive feature of this FOA is its explicit encouragement for institutions to make commitments that help elevate their research standing, specifically supporting movement from Carnegie R2 (higher research activity) toward R1 (very high research activity) status. That aspect frames awards as catalysts for broader capacity building, not simply one-off research projects. Competitive proposals under this kind of program typically connect the research plan to sustainable improvements, such as developing laboratories and shared capabilities, expanding externally funded research pipelines, strengthening faculty research teams, increasing publications and conference participation, and building durable collaborations that continue after the award period.

Administratively, this opportunity is listed as a discretionary grant under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category (CFDA 12.300). The funding opportunity number is N00014-22-S-F005, and it was posted with a creation date of February 24, 2022, with an original closing date of May 6, 2022. The award ceiling is listed at $9,000,000, with an expectation of approximately three awards, indicating that this competition was structured for a small number of relatively substantial grants. Eligibility is described broadly in the notice as “Others,” with the key clarification that it is targeted to HBCU/MIs as defined in the full announcement materials, so applicants typically need to confirm institutional eligibility status based on the definitions and documentation requirements in the full FOA.

In short, this DoD program is meant to fund unclassified research that matters to defense needs while simultaneously strengthening HBCU/MSI research ecosystems and producing more STEM graduates prepared for national security-relevant careers. The combination of research objectives, education and workforce emphasis, and explicit institutional capacity-building goals signals that applicants are expected to show both technical merit and a credible plan for lasting impact at the institution level. For full details on specific research topics of interest, required proposal elements, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions, the official FOA text referenced in the related attachments controls.

• The Department of Defense, Office of Naval Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY22 DoD Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.300.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 24, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 06, 2022. (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 $9,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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