Opportunity Information: Apply for USAFA FOA 2016 3
The DoD Military Child STEM Education Program Initiative (Funding Opportunity Number: USAFA FOA 2016 3) is a discretionary federal funding opportunity managed by the U.S. Air Force Academy to support Department of Defense STEM education and outreach priorities. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the government expects to play an active role alongside the recipient during execution rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. The overall purpose is to solicit initial white papers, and then, for selected respondents, invite full proposals after issuance of a formal Request for Proposals (RFP). In practical terms, the process is staged: applicants first submit a concept-level submission that helps the Air Force and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) STEM Office identify promising approaches, and only then may some applicants be asked to develop full proposals.
The program is intended to advance DoD-wide STEM education and outreach goals and strategies, with a specific emphasis aligned to Section 233 of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). That section established a pilot program focused on strengthening how military-connected students (dependents of members of the Armed Forces) are prepared for eventual careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. While the notice does not list specific activities in detail, the framing makes clear that the target population is military children and that the intended outcomes relate to improved preparation, exposure, and pathways into STEM fields, consistent with broader DoD STEM workforce and readiness interests.
From a funding and competitiveness standpoint, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $23,000,000 and anticipates making a single award. The estimate is explicitly described as an estimated value only, not a commitment, and the government emphasizes that actual funding is uncertain and subject to change. The notice also states that no award will be made until funds are available and that the government retains broad discretion to cancel the announcement before or after the closing date. If the opportunity is canceled, applicants are responsible for their own costs, and the government has no obligation to reimburse expenses incurred in preparing white papers or proposals. These statements are typical of large federal initiatives where final appropriations, internal prioritization, or procurement decisions can shift.
Eligibility for applicants is listed as unrestricted, which generally means there is no narrow limitation to a specific applicant type (such as only nonprofits or only universities). The funding activity is categorized under Education, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development, and it is associated with CFDA number 12.556. The original closing date shown is August 30, 2016, and the opportunity was created June 14, 2016. Overall, this FOA signals a major DoD effort to coordinate and scale STEM education programming for military dependents, using a competitive, phased solicitation approach and reserving flexibility due to funding and government decision-making constraints.Apply for USAFA FOA 2016 3
- The Air Force Academy in the education, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoD Military Child STEM Education Program Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.556.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-06-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-08-30. (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 $23,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the DoD Military Child STEM Education Program Initiative?
It is a discretionary federal funding opportunity managed by the U.S. Air Force Academy to support Department of Defense (DoD) STEM education and outreach priorities, specifically focused on military-connected students (dependents of members of the Armed Forces).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USAFA FOA 2016 3.
Who is managing this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is managed by the U.S. Air Force Academy.
What type of award is being offered?
The opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement. This means the government expects to play an active role alongside the recipient during execution, rather than providing a hands-off grant.
What is the overall purpose of the solicitation?
The purpose is to solicit initial white papers and then, for selected respondents, invite full proposals after a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued.
How does the application process work?
The process is staged. Applicants first submit a concept-level white paper. The Air Force and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) STEM Office use those white papers to identify promising approaches. Some respondents may then be invited to develop and submit full proposals after the RFP is issued.
Does submitting a white paper guarantee an invitation to submit a full proposal?
No. White papers are used to identify promising approaches, and only selected respondents may be invited to submit full proposals after the RFP is issued.
What is the program trying to achieve?
The program is intended to advance DoD-wide STEM education and outreach goals and strategies, with emphasis aligned to Section 233 of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The focus is on strengthening how military-connected students are prepared for eventual careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Which population is the program focused on?
The target population is military children, described as dependents of members of the Armed Forces.
Is this opportunity tied to a specific legal or policy authority?
Yes. It is framed as aligned with Section 233 of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which established a pilot program focused on improving STEM preparation for military-connected students.
Are specific activities required or listed in detail?
The notice does not list specific activities in detail. It frames the effort around improving preparation, exposure, and pathways into STEM fields for military-connected students, consistent with broader DoD STEM workforce and readiness interests.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $23,000,000.
How many awards does the government expect to make?
The opportunity anticipates making a single award.
Is the $23,000,000 amount guaranteed?
No. The amount is described as an estimated value only and not a commitment. Actual funding is uncertain and subject to change.
Can an award be made if funds are not available yet?
No. The notice states that no award will be made until funds are available.
Can the government cancel the announcement?
Yes. The government states it retains broad discretion to cancel the announcement before or after the closing date.
If the announcement is canceled, will applicant costs be reimbursed?
No. If the opportunity is canceled, applicants are responsible for their own costs, and the government has no obligation to reimburse expenses incurred in preparing white papers or proposals.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning there is no narrow limitation to a specific applicant type in the notice.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 12.556.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity is categorized under Education, Science and Technology, and other Research and Development.
What are the key dates listed in the notice?
The opportunity was created on June 14, 2016, and the original closing date shown is August 30, 2016.
What role do the Air Force and the OSD STEM Office play in the process?
Based on the notice, the Air Force and the OSD STEM Office review the initial white papers to identify promising approaches that may be invited to submit full proposals after the RFP is issued.
What does it mean that this is a discretionary federal funding opportunity?
It indicates the program is offered under a discretionary funding mechanism (as described in the notice) rather than an entitlement program, and it is subject to government funding availability and decision-making.
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