Future Scholars for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Workforce Development Programs

Category/Topic
Education, Workforce Development
Level
Federal
Summary

This announcement encourages programs or projects that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students and teachers, and prepare the 21st century STEM workforce. AFRL’s Workforce Development programs or projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Internships (High School through Doctoral)
  • Fellowship Apprentice/Residency Programs
  • College or University project-based learning programs
  • Formal or informal workforce development programs or projects that align with the Federal STEM Strategy and DOD STEM Mission

Program Goals. AFRL’s program goals are to:

  1.  Address geographic disparities and broaden participation for underrepresented and underserved communities.
  2. Foster community engagement that support and encourage STEM learning, understanding, build STEM skills and literacy in an evidence-based and innovative manner.
  3. Increase awareness of DoD and AFRL science and technology priorities such as artificial
    intelligence/machine learning, biotechnology, cyber security and DoD science and technologies.
  4. Develop partnerships with industry and other organizations to promote sustainable STEM Workforce Development programs or projects.

Program Objectives. AFRL’s program objectives are to:

  1. Provide opportunities for intellectual challenge and collaboration by promoting scientific interactions between the academic community and scientists at the AFRL’s laboratories and facilities.
  2. Develop and maintain a long-term recruiting pipeline supporting the AFRL’s laboratories and facilities by training and educating the next generation of scientists and engineers in fundamental research of relevance to the Federal STEM Strategy, the DoD STEM Mission, and AFRL’s STEM driven
    activities.
  3. Support graduate students pursuing advanced degrees (i.e. Masters and PhDs) in areas of relevance to STEM literacy, innovation, and employment.
  4. Provide program participants with exposure to researchers and the environment AFRL’s laboratories and facilities and make participants aware of future career and employment opportunities at AFRL.
Eligible Entities
Academic Institutions, K-12 School Districts, Local Public Agencies, Native American Tribes, Nonprofit Organizations, Private Corporations, State Government
Eligibility Notes

Individuals are also eligible.
Due Date
Jun 17, 2025
Due Date Notes

Initial submission deadline for proposals is 21 July 2020, 2:00 PM EST. Proposals submitted during the initial submission deadline will be prioritized for evaluations. After, proposals may be submitted any time from the FOA issue date, until the final submission deadline for proposals and will be evaluated as they are received.

This is a five year open Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) accepting proposals from the date of publication for award of grants and cooperative agreements, subject to the availability of funds. Once the FOA has reached the five year period and/or funds are no longer available, the announcement will be modified to reflect the announcement as closed. AFRL intends to award multiple grants and cooperative agreements, subject to the availability of funds.
RFP Release Date
Jun 17, 2020
Min Award
$25,000
Max Award
$25,000,000
Total Possible Multi-Year Award
$25,000,000
Annual or Multi-Year?
null
Match Required?
No
Funder
Department of Defense
Total Amount Available for All Grants
$50,000,000
Competition Notes

Prior to submitting a proposal, recipients are required to submit a Letter of Intent to the Points of Contact (POCs) listed in Section VII – Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s).
Resources
Opportunity Posting or Webpage
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