Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of the Navy (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program
🏛 Office of Naval Research
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions eligible under the HBCU/MI program. You must be a covered educational institution: a Title III or V eligible higher education institution, or an accredited post-secondary minority institution. The Principal Investigator must be a U.S. citizen by September 18, 2026, with a full-time tenured, tenure-track, or tenure-track equivalent academic appointment at one of seven eligible institution types.
The project must advance basic naval-relevant science and technology while engaging faculty and students in STEM discovery. Research capacity expansion is required. This is a single-PI award with no co-PIs or sub-awards permitted.
All proposed personnel must be U.S. citizens by the white paper deadline. The work must contribute to the Department of the Navy's science and technology mission.
Program description
Key programmatic objectives of the DoN HBCU/MI Program are achieved through the implementation and performance of three program goals:
• enhancing the research and educational capabilities of HBCU/MIs in scientific and engineering disciplines critical to the defense mission of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps,
• encouraging cross-institutional, collaborative efforts that explore innovative solutions to naval science and technology (S&T) challenges, and
• increasing the engagement of students in STEM fields important to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.
This particular NOFO aims to enhance the research capacity and research infrastructure for HBCU/MIs. Competitive white papers and invited full proposals submitted to this NOFO must clearly and succinctly describe efforts that advance basic naval-relevant S&T, engage faculty and students in STEM discovery, and expand the research capacity of participant institutions.
This announcement is only for research efforts that also promote student/faculty engagement, and expand the institution’s research capacity. This announcement is not intended for projects that focus on non-research STEM activities.
The technical content of any proposed effort must contribute to the S&T mission and vision of the DoN.
Deadlines
White Paper Inquiries and Questions-Email: don_hbcufoa@navy.mil
09 September 2026 (Wednesday)
White Papers must be received no later than
18 September 2026 (Friday) at 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Application Inquiries and Questions
04 December 2026 (Friday)
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- White paper (preliminary)
- Full proposal (invited only)
- Project narrative
- Budget and budget justification
- Institutional support letter
- Personnel biographical information
Program contact
- 👤 Veronica Lacey Grantor
- 📧 veronica.y.lacey.civ@us.navy.mil
- 📞 703-696-2593
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.300 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$112,259,544
-
$75,985,619
-
$67,720,186
-
$41,951,229
-
$40,990,349
-
$38,763,049
-
$36,400,000
-
$35,252,372
-
$30,000,001
-
$28,978,496
Top States by Funding
- MA 7 awards $191.9M
- DC 8 awards $166.9M
- CA 9 awards $164.4M
- FL 7 awards $118.3M
- HI 7 awards $99.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.300). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $334,244,206 | |
| 2025 | $218,929,958 | |
| 2026 est. | $333,130,069 |
FAQ
What institutions are eligible for this grant?
Covered educational institutions include those eligible for Title III or V assistance under the Higher Education Act, and accredited post-secondary minority institutions. Your PI must hold a full-time tenured or tenure-track appointment at an eligible institution.
Can I submit a proposal with multiple PIs or sub-awards?
No. This is a single-PI award only. Co-PIs and sub-awards are not permitted.
What kind of research projects does this funding support?
Projects must conduct basic naval-relevant science and technology research while engaging students and faculty in STEM. Non-research STEM activities are not eligible.
What is the timeline for submission?
White papers are due September 18, 2026. Invited applicants submit full proposals by December 11, 2026.
How much funding can I expect?
Awards range from $450,000 to $525,000. Total program funding is $1,575,000.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Submit a white paper first. This mandatory step helps the review panel assess fit before requesting a full proposal.
- Clearly connect your research to Navy and Marine Corps S&T priorities. Generic STEM research without naval relevance will be rejected.
- Include detailed student and faculty engagement plans. The program prioritizes expanding research capacity and participation in STEM.
- Highlight your institution's research infrastructure gaps and how this project addresses them. Capacity building is a key objective.
- Ensure your PI meets citizenship and appointment requirements by the white paper deadline. These are non-negotiable eligibility criteria.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting proposals focused on non-research STEM activities like course development or outreach programs. Proposing research without clear naval relevance or connection to DoN priorities. Failing to demonstrate meaningful student and faculty engagement in the research plan.
Similar grants
- OPEN DoW Kidney Cancer, Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award — Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
- OPEN Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP) — National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA
- OPEN Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program — National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- OPEN Food Safety Outreach Program Technical Assistance-Grant Writing Skills Projects — National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA
- OPEN DoW Bone Marrow Failure, Resource Development Award — Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA