National Defense Education Program

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education, Outreach, and Workforce Development Programs
CFDA 12.006 Active Cooperative Agreement

Open Opportunities (1)

Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$20M FY2026
$19.7M
FY24
$23M
FY25
$20M
FY26*
* estimated

Who has received this funding

Organizations awarded under CFDA 12.006 (USAspending.gov).

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 In fiscal year 2025, the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC) engaged 53,436 students and 2,460 educators in its funded activities. Military-connected individuals represented 19% of student participants and 5% of educators. DSEC's programming was extensive, operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa.

While successful robotics programs with partners like FIRST™, Rec Foundation, and RoboNation continued, DSEC expanded its offerings to include activities which focused on critical defense technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and biotechnology.

Program Objective

To obtain support or partner with like-minded organizations in the management, development, implementation, research/evaluation, and furthering of new and existing partnerships between the Department of Defense and its National Defense Education Program (NDEP) for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and outreach activities, and other educational outreach efforts, as well as STEM workforce development initiatives across the PreK through College continuum, to include skilled trades and advanced manufacturing that do not require four-year degrees . The scope will cover all 50 states, U.S. territories, and DoDEA schools.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • School District Government
  • School District
  • Not-for-Profit Organization
  • Small Business Person
  • Other

Please refer to funding opportunity announcement for specific eligibility requirements. Profit is not allowed.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

After merit review is completed, awards will be negotiated, and POCs will be contacted.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: > 180 Days
  • Renewal interval: > 180 Days
Program details & compliance

Description

The purpose of this listing is to solicit partners in developing the America’s 21st Century STEM talent through innovative approaches which addresses the K-12 and post-secondary education challenges in STEM education and workforce development, and other educational activities. These approaches may include student-centered programs in formal and informal STEM education, teacher professional development, work-based learning, and parent outreach. Programs will emphasize serving military connected students providing unique experiential learning opportunities in STEM subjects.

Mission Categories

Primary: STEM Education

Other categories:
Work EducationTeacher EducationFederal EmploymentResearch and Development

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

1. Develop, implement, recommend, manage, evaluate, and support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and outreach programs, other educational outreach programs, as well as workforce development initiatives aligned to DoD's National Defense Education Program (NDEP), and to the Federal STEM strategic plan. Partnerships between academia, industry, nonprofit organizations, and local educational agencies are strongly encouraged.

2. Develop, implement, manage and evaluate programs that demonstrate an effective integration of math across science and technology subject areas.

3. Develop and implement exploratory pilot programs that seek to create new educational experiences for students in STEM, especially those from underserved populations to include military connected students and schools

4. Develop larger cohesive STEM education and outreach activities that strengthen the capacity of regional/local communities and stakeholders to leverage partnerships.

5. Develop, implement, manage, and evaluate manufacturing engineering education program (MEEP) at various levels from pre-college, to collegiate levels of undergraduate and graduate that prepares participants for realistic job previews.

6. Develop activities that exposes participants to the necessary technical and problem solving skills for competency in cyber, promote/encourage computational and digital literacy.

7. Encourage partnerships in the STEM ecosystem to develop and implement STEM education and outreach programs with a holistic approach to understanding real-world applications.

8. Develop trans-disciplinary activities which creates understanding of innovation entrepreneurship in the development of new technologies and technology transfer

9. Provide training, marketing and outreach videos.

10. Provide programmatic support to the NDEP STEM programs/initiatives for students, teachers, parents, and schools.

11. Informing K-12 and post-secondary students/learners of the possibility of a career in the STEM fields so as to insure that a viable workforce will be available from which DoD and the Nation can recruit future scientists, engineers, and other STEM professionals.

Required Documentation

Applicants should reference the funding announcement on grants.gov. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Reporting & Compliance

Audit Required
Yes — Determined at Time of Award
Records Retention
5 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Louie Lopez
5713726715
4800 Mark Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22350
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-01-16. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-29 05:43:40.