Opportunity Information: Apply for W911NF26S0105
The Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) Equipment/Instrumentation opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number W911NF26S0105) is a U.S. Department of the Army, Materiel Command discretionary grant program (CFDA 12.630) focused on helping HBCUs and TCUs purchase research and teaching equipment and instrumentation. It is issued under federal authority in 10 U.S.C. 4144 and is explicitly aligned with Section 223 of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), related NDAA provisions from FY 2020 and FY 2022, FY 2026 defense appropriations, and Executive Order 14332 on improving oversight of federal grantmaking. The program sits under the policy direction of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (described in the notice as OUSW(RampE)) and is administered through three defense research organizations: the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), collectively referred to as the Agencies.
At its core, this solicitation is about strengthening the research and education capacity of eligible institutions in STEM areas that matter to national security. The stated goals are threefold: first, to enhance research and education programs and capabilities in scientific and engineering disciplines that are critical to Department of Defense needs; second, to increase the ability of HBCUs and TCUs to participate meaningfully in defense research programs and related activities; and third, to contribute to a larger pipeline objective by increasing the number of STEM graduates. In practical terms, the grant funds are meant to buy equipment and instrumentation that either expands existing lab capabilities or creates new ones, so institutions can conduct stronger research and provide students with access to modern tools and facilities tied to defense-relevant research areas.
The notice emphasizes that proposals must align with Department of Defense research interests, including those of the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering and the administering Agencies (ARL, ONR, AFOSR). While the funding cannot be used for direct student support (for example, scholarships or stipends), applicants are still expected to make a clear case for how the requested equipment will increase student participation in research and improve STEM education outcomes. In other words, even though the budget cannot pay students, the proposal should show how the equipment will create hands-on research experiences, expand course and laboratory opportunities, strengthen mentorship and lab training, and ultimately make STEM pathways more attractive and accessible to students.
This particular solicitation is part of the broader Research and Education Program under the HBCU/MI program element, and it is described as supporting the Fiscal Year 2027 effort for equipment/instrumentation. It also reflects a structural change mandated by Section 223 of the FY 2026 NDAA: the Department must run separate solicitations, with one specifically focused on HBCUs and TCUs and another aimed at other Minority-Serving Institutions that are not HBCUs or TCUs. This NOFO is the HBCU/TCU-focused track, meaning only HBCUs and TCUs (as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965) are eligible. For eligibility, an HBCU is defined using the “part B institution” definition in section 322 of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1061), and a TCU is defined using section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).
Key basic details included in the posting are that awards are made as grants, the activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and the award ceiling is $1,500,000. The opportunity’s original closing date is listed as 2026-10-09, and the posting shows a creation date of 2026-08-27. Overall, the program is best understood as a targeted federal investment in lab and research infrastructure at HBCUs and TCUs, with the expectation that better equipment translates into stronger defense-aligned research capacity, richer STEM training environments, and a larger, better-prepared pool of future STEM graduates.Apply for W911NF26S0105
- The Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) Equipment/Instrumentation" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.630.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-09. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Research and Education Program for HBCU and TCU Equipment/Instrumentation opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of the Army, Materiel Command discretionary grant program designed to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) purchase research and teaching equipment and instrumentation. The goal is to strengthen research and education capacity at eligible institutions in STEM areas connected to national security needs.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this solicitation?
The Funding Opportunity Number is W911NF26S0105.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The notice lists CFDA 12.630.
What type of award is being offered?
Awards are made as grants.
What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only HBCUs and TCUs are eligible under this solicitation, as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965.
How does the solicitation define an HBCU for eligibility purposes?
An HBCU is defined using the "part B institution" definition in section 322 of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1061).
How does the solicitation define a TCU for eligibility purposes?
A TCU is defined using section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)).
Is this opportunity open to Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) that are not HBCUs or TCUs?
No. This NOFO is the HBCU/TCU-focused track. The notice explains that separate solicitations are required, with another solicitation aimed at other MSIs that are not HBCUs or TCUs.
What is the purpose of the funding (what is it meant to buy)?
The funding is intended to purchase equipment and instrumentation that expands existing laboratory capabilities or creates new ones, strengthening research and teaching environments.
What are the program goals stated in the notice?
The stated goals are: (1) enhancing research and education programs and capabilities in scientific and engineering disciplines critical to Department of Defense needs; (2) increasing the ability of HBCUs and TCUs to participate meaningfully in defense research programs and related activities; and (3) increasing the number of STEM graduates as part of a broader pipeline objective.
Do proposals need to align with Department of Defense research interests?
Yes. The notice emphasizes that proposals must align with Department of Defense research interests, including those of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the administering defense research organizations.
Which organizations administer the program?
The program is administered through three defense research organizations: the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). In the notice, these are collectively referred to as the Agencies.
What office provides policy direction for the program?
The notice states the program sits under the policy direction of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (described in the notice as OUSW(RampE)).
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $1,500,000.
Can grant funds be used for direct student support such as scholarships or stipends?
No. The notice states funding cannot be used for direct student support (for example, scholarships or stipends).
If direct student support is not allowed, how should applicants address student impact?
Applicants are still expected to explain how the requested equipment will increase student participation in research and improve STEM education outcomes, such as enabling hands-on research experiences, expanding course and lab opportunities, strengthening mentorship and training, and making STEM pathways more attractive and accessible.
What fiscal year effort does this solicitation support?
The notice describes this solicitation as supporting the Fiscal Year 2027 effort for equipment/instrumentation.
Why are there separate solicitations for HBCUs/TCUs and other MSIs?
The notice says this reflects a structural change mandated by Section 223 of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which requires separate solicitations: one specifically for HBCUs and TCUs and another for other Minority-Serving Institutions that are not HBCUs or TCUs.
What legal authorities and policy references are cited for this opportunity?
The notice states it is issued under federal authority in 10 U.S.C. 4144 and is explicitly aligned with Section 223 of the FY 2026 NDAA, related NDAA provisions from FY 2020 and FY 2022, FY 2026 defense appropriations, and Executive Order 14332 on improving oversight of federal grantmaking.
When is the application closing date?
The original closing date listed is 2026-10-09.
What is the posting creation date shown for the opportunity?
The posting shows a creation date of 2026-08-27.
What is the program fundamentally trying to achieve for institutions?
It is a targeted investment in lab and research infrastructure at eligible HBCUs and TCUs, with the expectation that improved equipment and instrumentation will translate into stronger defense-aligned research capacity, richer STEM training environments, and a larger, better-prepared pool of future STEM graduates.
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