science_technology_and_other_research_and_development · DOD-ONR

Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of the Navy (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program

Office of Naval Research · N0001426SF001

110 days left

Award Range

$450K – $525K

Total Program Funding

$1.6M

Expected Awards

Deadline

December 11, 2026

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is funding 3 grants ($450K-$525K each, $1.575M total) for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to build STEM research capacity relevant to Navy/Marine Corps needs. These grants support HBCUs in developing research programs in areas like AI, cybersecurity, materials science, autonomous systems, and other defense-relevant technologies.

Who Should Apply

HBCUs with emerging STEM research programs that align with Navy/Marine Corps research priorities. Must demonstrate potential to grow defense-relevant research capacity with this funding.

Who Should NOT Apply

Non-HBCU institutions, HBCUs without STEM programs, purely teaching institutions without research infrastructure, or schools whose research doesn't connect to defense needs.

Key Requirements (Plain English)

•Must be a Historically Black College or University (HBCU)
•Must build STEM research capacity aligned with Navy/Marine Corps needs
•3 awards of $450K-$525K
•Must demonstrate path to competitive defense research capability
•Must develop faculty research expertise and student training
•No cost-sharing required

💡 GrantQuick Tip

ONR HBCU grants are about building CAPACITY — they don't expect you to compete with MIT or Georgia Tech today, but they want to see a realistic path to getting there. Focus your proposal on 1-2 specific Navy-relevant research areas where your faculty have potential but need equipment, students, and time to develop. Include plans for student pipeline (undergrads into grad school into Navy labs). ONR program officers are approachable — contact them before applying to align your proposal with their priorities.

Competitiveness: Moderate — 3 awards restricted to HBCUs. Competition is among ~50 HBCUs with STEM programs; those with existing ONR relationships or strong preliminary results have advantages.

What This Grant Funds

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)

Attachments

PDF

FY27 DoN HBCU/MI Program

N0001426SF001_002.pdf

PDF

N0001426SF001_Amendment 0001

N0001426SF001-Amendment_0001.pdf

Who Can Apply

As provided in 10 U.S.C. §4144, eligibility for this competition is only open to “covered educational institutions,” which are defined as:A. institutions of higher education eligible for assistance under Title III or V of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.); orB. accredited post-secondary minority institutions.The Principal Investigator (PI) and all proposed personnel must be U.S. citizens on September 18, 2026 (Friday), the date white papers are due. In addition, the PI must have a full-time tenured, tenure- track, or tenure-track equivalent academic appointment at one of the seven types of covered educational institutions.This is a single PI award. No Co-PIs and no sub-awards will be permitted.

Eligible Applicant Types

Other (see NOFO for details)

Funding Details

Minimum Award: $450K
Maximum Award: $525K
Total Program Funding: $1.6M
Expected Number of Awards: 3
Cost Sharing Required?: No
Funding Instrument: grant

Key Dates

Posted: June 18, 2026

Application Deadline: December 11, 2026 (110 days remaining)

Agency Contact

Veronica Lacey Grantor Phone 948-215-0115

veronica.y.lacey.civ@us.navy.mil

Ready to apply?

View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov

View on Grants.gov