Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU)

Key facts

Funder

William A Creech Contracting Officer

Application deadline

August 11, 2026

Award range

$100K – $2M

Eligibility

As provided in Section 223 of the FY 2026 NDAA, eligibility for this competition is open only to "Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities" which are defined as:a. The term ‘‘Historically Black College or University'' has the meaning given the term ‘‘part B institution'' under section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).b. The term ‘‘Tribal College or University" has the meaning given the term in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).

Geography

United States

Focus areas

Research

Opportunity number

W911NF26S0085

Program overview

This solicitation invites applications (also referred to as “proposals”) for basic research projects. The proposals must align with the research areas of interest to the DoW (which includes the USW(R&E) and the Agencies) and enhance the education of students in areas of STEM that align with the DoW research interests. Information about these areas of interest (including websites) is discussed below. The USW(R&E) Critical Technology Area descriptions are at https://www.cto.mil/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/CTA-One-Pager-Option-Nov2025.pdf . The critical technology priorities rely on innovation and workforce talent. The critical technology areas are: - Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI) - Biomanufacturing (BIO) - Contested Logistics Technologies (LOG) - Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance (Q-BID) - Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE) - Scaled Hypersonics (SHY) Basic research projects in research areas of interest to the Agencies are presented in their respective Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), which are available as follows: Army Research Laboratory combined Broad Agency Announcement is available at: https://www.arl.army.mil/collaborate-with-us/opportunity/arl-baa/ . This BAA may also be found on Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov) by entering the BAA number, W911NF-23-S-0001, in the “Search Grants” keyword box. Office of Naval Research: https://www.onr.navy.mil/ Select “Work With Us,” then “Funding Opportunities,” and then “BAAs, FOAs and Special Program Announcements” to see the FY26 Long Range Broad Agency Announcement for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology, BAA N00014-23-S-B001 . This BAA may also be found on Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov) by entering the BAA number in the “Search Grants” keyword box. In addition to providing details about the Agencies’ research interests, the above documents include names and contact information of technical program managers. Principal Investigator and a Co-Principal Investigator (PI/Co-PI) are encouraged to peruse the research interests of each Agency and to contact the respective program managers to discuss mutual research interests. Applications with relevance to the interests of multiple Agencies may receive multiple reviews. Additional information and questions about the critical technology areas should be directed to Agency Contacts identified in Section II.G. of this NOFO. Other research areas that are not aligned with the (OUSW(R&E)/ASW(S&T) critical technology priorities listed in I.B.7 will be considered. The Agencies’ BAA listed above under I.B.6 provides other research areas of interest to the DoW. NOTE: Use the above-referenced Agency documents only to identify research areas of interest to the Agencies. Disregard instructions contained therein regarding application preparation, content, and submission requirements. Instead, follow the instructions in this NOFO. Projects proposed for funding under this NOFO must be for basic research. As defined by DoW, “basic research” is systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications toward processes or products in mind. It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, life sciences, and information sciences related to long-term national security needs. Principal Investigator and a Co-Principal Investigator (PI/Co-PI) are encouraged to consider innovative approaches for their research projects with a view toward enhancing the ability of their institution to develop stronger science and engineering programs that will enable the institution to participate more competitively in a variety of defense research programs, attract and retain good students by exposing them to state-of-the-art research, and encourage them to pursue careers in

How to apply

1. Confirm your organization meets the eligibility criteria above.
2. Read the full funding opportunity announcement from William A Creech Contracting Officer.
3. Draft your narrative against the funder's stated priorities and review criteria.
4. Submit before August 11, 2026, allowing time for registration and validation.

View the official funding announcement

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