Opportunity Information: Apply for W911NF24S0003
The Defense Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Consortium (DSEC) Cooperative Agreement is a Department of Defense STEM funding opportunity run under the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) and authorized by 10 U.S. Code 2192. Its central purpose is to stand up and operate a single, coordinated consortium of organizations that can deliver a connected, end-to-end pipeline of STEM learning experiences for students and educators. In practice, the DoD is looking for a group of aligned partners that can collectively provide strong STEM education and outreach programs rather than isolated one-off activities, with the intent of creating sustained engagement and measurable impact across different ages and stages of learning.
The award will take the form of a cooperative agreement, which generally signals that the government expects an active partnership relationship during execution (more involvement and coordination with the agency than a typical grant). The DoD plans to make one award to one Lead Organization that will be responsible for organizing and managing the consortium (referred to as the Defense STEM Education Consortium, or DSEC). That lead will coordinate the consortium members, align program design and delivery, and serve as the primary interface with the government.
Eligibility is broad but specific to non-federal entities. The Lead Organization must qualify as a non-federal entity as defined in 2 CFR 200.1, meaning it can be a state government, local government, Indian tribe, institution of higher education, nonprofit organization, or, as also noted in the opportunity, a for-profit organization consistent with 32 CFR 34. While only one lead award is anticipated, the model is explicitly consortium-based, so the expectation is that the lead assembles a network of like-minded partners (the consortium members) to cover a wide range of STEM education and outreach needs and to deliver programming at scale.
Administratively, the opportunity is listed as discretionary funding and falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category, with CFDA number 12.006. The sponsoring agency is the Department of the Army, Materiel Command. The funding opportunity number is W911NF24S0003, the original application closing date was March 11, 2024, and the posting (creation) date was January 11, 2024. The award ceiling is $190,000,000, and the government expects to make one award, which underscores that this is intended to be a large, centralized vehicle for coordinating and delivering DoD STEM education efforts through the DSEC structure.Apply for W911NF24S0003
- 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 "Defense Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Consortium (DSEC) Cooperative Agreement" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.006.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-01-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-11. (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 $190,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC) Cooperative Agreement - FAQs
What is the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC) Cooperative Agreement?
The DSEC Cooperative Agreement is a Department of Defense STEM education funding opportunity under the National Defense Education Program (NDEP), authorized by 10 U.S. Code 2192. Its purpose is to establish and operate a single, coordinated consortium of organizations that can deliver a connected, end-to-end pipeline of STEM learning experiences for students and educators.
What is the main goal of this opportunity?
The central goal is to stand up and operate one coordinated consortium that delivers sustained, measurable STEM education and outreach across multiple ages and stages of learning. The DoD is emphasizing aligned, connected programming rather than isolated one-off activities.
What does "end-to-end pipeline" mean in this context?
Based on the opportunity description, an "end-to-end pipeline" refers to a connected sequence of STEM learning experiences that supports students and educators across different ages and stages of learning, with continuity and sustained engagement rather than disconnected events.
Is this a grant or something else?
The award will be issued as a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates the government expects active involvement during execution, with more coordination and partnership with the agency than a standard grant.
How many awards does the DoD expect to make?
The DoD expects to make one award.
Who will receive the award?
One Lead Organization will receive the cooperative agreement award. This Lead Organization will be responsible for organizing and managing the consortium (DSEC) and serving as the primary interface with the government.
What is the role of the Lead Organization?
The Lead Organization is expected to organize and manage the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC), coordinate consortium members, align program design and delivery, and act as the primary point of contact with the government throughout execution.
Does this opportunity require a consortium?
Yes. Even though only one award is anticipated, the model is explicitly consortium-based. The expectation is that the Lead Organization assembles and coordinates a network of aligned partners (consortium members) to deliver programming at scale and address a broad set of STEM education and outreach needs.
What kinds of activities is the DoD looking to support?
The DoD is looking for strong STEM education and outreach programs delivered through a coordinated consortium approach, with sustained engagement and measurable impact across different ages and stages of learning. The emphasis is on connected programming rather than isolated, one-off activities.
Who is eligible to be the Lead Organization?
Eligibility is broad but limited to non-federal entities as defined in 2 CFR 200.1. The Lead Organization may be a state government, local government, Indian tribe, institution of higher education, nonprofit organization, or (as noted in the opportunity) a for-profit organization consistent with 32 CFR 34.
Are federal entities eligible?
No. The Lead Organization must qualify as a non-federal entity under 2 CFR 200.1.
Can a for-profit organization serve as the Lead Organization?
Yes. The opportunity notes that a for-profit organization may be eligible, consistent with 32 CFR 34, as long as it qualifies as a non-federal entity.
Who is the sponsoring agency for this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the Department of the Army, Materiel Command.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is W911NF24S0003.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 12.006.
What type of funding is this listed as?
It is listed as discretionary funding.
What activity category does this opportunity fall under?
It falls under the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" activity category.
What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $190,000,000.
When was the opportunity posted?
The posting (creation) date was January 11, 2024.
What was the application closing date?
The original application closing date was March 11, 2024.
Why is the DoD making only one award?
Based on the description, making one award supports the intent to create a large, centralized vehicle for coordinating and delivering DoD STEM education efforts through a single, unified consortium structure (DSEC), rather than distributing funds across separate, unconnected efforts.
What does "measurable impact" imply for program delivery?
The opportunity emphasizes sustained engagement and measurable impact, meaning the consortium is expected to deliver programming that can demonstrate results across different ages and stages of learning rather than offering isolated activities without broader, trackable outcomes.
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