Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
The Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence (IC CAE) Program is codified in the National Security Act with the intent to increase the pool of applicants for Intelligence Community (IC) organizations by expanding awareness of the IC mission and culture throughout ethnically and geographically diverse communities. The IC CAE Program Office at ODNI (IC CAE PO) encourages applications that showcase innovative ideas for establishing enduring curricula, partnerships, and programs in areas of interest to the IC and national security. The IC CAE PO has found that the most successful recipients are those guided by personnel with knowledge of and experience in the IC; however, this is not a requirement. Further findings show that school programs are enhanced by partnerships with and outreach to IC installations and private industry in their regions supporting intelligence and national security work. The IC CAE has nine objectives that serve as the foundation of the program: (1) Consortium and Single Institution of Higher Education, (2) Curriculum Development, (3) Establish and Maintain IC CAE Program Management, Marketing, and Sustainment Action Plans, (4) Foreign Language Programs, (5) Faculty Research and Professional Development in Support of Teaching to the Chosen Curriculum Pathway, (6) Student Participation in Academic Programs and Professional Development Activities, (7) Host an Annual Colloquium or Speaker Series in Collaboration with Sub-recipients, (8) Study Abroad and Cultural Immersion, (9) Use of Grant Funds to Create Scholarships for IC CAE Scholars.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
Any acceptably accredited four-year Institution of Higher Education (IHE) in the United States (including its territories and the District of Columbia) shall be eligible to apply as a Lead Institution. If the IHE is one of the four Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) categories—HBCU, PBI, HSI, and/or AANAPISI—as designated by the U.S. Department of Education, a consortium partner is optional but not required. If applying without a consortium partner, the IHE will be considered the Lead Institution. However, if the IHE does not belong to one of the four MSI categories, the application must include at least two IHEs, with at least one being from one of the four MSI categories listed above. Schools designated as any of these four MSI categories may be either the lead applicant or a consortium partner, or these MSI categories may make up the entire consortium. IHEs with Minority-serving designations other than the four listed may be either the lead applicant or a partner, provided there is at least one member school from the four named MSI categories also serving as a partner. Acceptably accredited two-year IHEs in the United States (including its territories and the District of Columbia), such as community colleges, shall be eligible to apply as consortium partners but not as lead institutions.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
The grants will be competitively awarded through a merit review process. The Merit Review Panel (MRP) will review the proposals and document findings. Final selection will be approved by a Selection Official (SO). The ODNI Grants Officer (GO) will issue the Federal financial assistance.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 60 to 90 days
Program details & compliance
Description
The IC CAE Program’s purpose is to develop a cadre of qualified intelligence professionals to carry out America’s long-term national security initiatives by creating a competitive, knowledgeable, and diverse workforce through the provision of single and multi-year grants to colleges and universities. The program encourages eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs) to submit proposals that support curricula and programs designed to create, attract, and sustain a robust, knowledgeable, and diverse talent pool in multidisciplinary areas of interest to the IC. Schools selected as grant recipients are known as IC CAE Program Schools. Students who participate in IC CAE Program school-funded curricula and programs are aware that these efforts are funded by the IC and are given the opportunity to work towards becoming an IC CAE Scholar, an elite status achieved by meeting certain milestones. This association propels students toward becoming a talent pool of choice for the IC.
Any acceptably accredited four-year IHE in the United States (including its Territories and the District of Columbia) is eligible to apply as a Lead Institution. If the IHE falls under one of the four Minority Serving Institution (MSI) categories—HBCU, PBI, HSI, or AANAPISI—as designated by the U.S. Department of Education, a consortium partner is optional but not required. If applying without a consortium partner, the IHE is considered to be the Lead Institution. However, if the IHE does not belong to one of the four MSI categories, then the application must include at least two IHEs, one of which must belong to one of the four MSI categories listed above. Schools designated under any of these four MSI categories may serve as the lead applicant or a consortium partner, or these MSI categories may make up the entire consortium. IHEs with minority-serving designations other than the four listed may serve as the lead applicant or a partner, provided that at least one member school from the four named MSI categories is also a partner. Acceptably accredited two-year IHEs in the United States (including its Territories and the District of Columbia), such as community colleges, are eligible to apply as consortium partners, but not as Lead Institutions.
Mission Categories
Primary: Higher Education
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Assistance may be used to build an IC CAE program as described herein.
Required Documentation
All accredited Institutes of Higher Education (IHE), four-year colleges and universities, in the United States are eligible to serve as the applicant (lead) institution. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is the body responsible for accreditation (https://www.chea.org/. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Reporting & Compliance
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
Formula
Consistent with Section 6302 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263), by signing this agreement, the recipient certifies
that it has not received financial or material in-kind support from the People's
Republic of China, the Russia Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or the Republic of Cuba, during the 5-year
period prior to the date of application for the grant.
If during the period of this grant, the recipient receives financial or in-kind support
from one of the above countries, the recipient will disclose this to the grants officer in
the next progress report. Acceptance of financial and/or in-kind support from one of
the designated countries may impact participation in the program and funding of grant
options.