Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of the Navy (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program

The Department of Navy's (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) program is designed to increase the participation of HBCU/MIs in the Navy's research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) programs and activities. As part of its mission, the program strengthens the capabilities of the institutions to conduct basic and applied research, and increases the quality and quantity of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs.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.

The Department of Navy's (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) program is designed to increase the participation of HBCU/MIs in the Navy's research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) programs and activities. As part of its mission, the program strengthens the capabilities of the institutions to conduct basic and applied research, and increases the quality and quantity of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs.

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.

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 19, 2025 (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 MSI types.This is a single PI award. No Co-PIs and no sub-awards will be permitted.Limitations on Number of Applications – There is no limitation on the number of applications an applicant (organization) may submit under the announcement.