FY25 ONR Office Of Naval Research (ONR) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics(STEM) Education and Workforce Program | N0001425SF006

Opportunity Information: Apply for N0001425SF006

The FY25 Office of Naval Research (ONR) STEM Education and Workforce Program (Funding Opportunity Number N0001425SF006) is a discretionary grant opportunity that supports a wide range of STEM education efforts designed to strengthen the current and future science and engineering workforce. The program is open to projects that take place in formal settings (like K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, and graduate programs) as well as informal settings (such as museums, after-school programs, community organizations, and other public-facing learning environments). ONR defines STEM broadly for this opportunity, covering physical sciences, natural sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, and also social sciences when they are tied to STEM disciplines, topics, or issues. The scope explicitly includes environmental science education and stewardship, which signals interest in programs that build knowledge and skills related to the environment alongside core STEM learning.

At its core, the NOFO is meant to fund STEM education programs and activities where the primary objective fits at least one of several key outcomes. One major focus is improving learners knowledge, skills, and interest in STEM, which can include hands-on learning experiences, curriculum development, challenge-based learning, labs, makerspaces, competitions, and other approaches that build competence and motivation. Another priority is strengthening the pipeline into STEM by attracting students to pursue credentials and career pathways, ranging from two-year degrees and professional certifications up through doctoral and post-doctoral training, as well as entry into STEM careers. The program also emphasizes opportunities that help post-secondary, college, and graduate learners grow through research exposure, such as structured research experiences, mentorship by active researchers, internships, laboratory placements, or projects where conducting research is primarily intended to advance education and training rather than solely to produce research results.

In addition to student-facing work, the NOFO supports efforts that raise the quality of mentors and educators across the learning ecosystem. This includes K-12 pre-service and in-service teacher development, professional learning for informal educators, and capacity-building for post-secondary faculty and mentors. Programs could focus on improving teaching practices, mentorship skills, curriculum implementation, research supervision, or other educator supports that lead to better STEM instruction and guidance. A final major category is institutional capacity-building, meaning projects that improve or expand an organizations ability to promote and sustain STEM fields. That can include building partnerships, expanding programs, creating scalable models, strengthening infrastructure for education and training, or developing systems that make STEM opportunities more accessible and effective over time.

Eligibility is broad. The NOFO states that all responsible sources from academia, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit organizations may apply. Foreign entities will also be considered, which is notable because many federal STEM education opportunities restrict eligibility to domestic organizations. University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) are allowed to submit white papers under this NOFO unless their Department of Defense UARC contract specifically prevents them from doing so. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is listed under science and technology and other research and development, with CFDA number 12.330. The opportunity was created on July 7, 2025, and the original closing date is listed as June 30, 2026.

In practical terms, this opportunity is designed for organizations proposing STEM education and workforce development initiatives that can show a clear primary education objective aligned to one or more of ONRs stated outcomes: building STEM knowledge and interest, moving learners into STEM credentials and careers, providing research-based growth experiences for post-secondary learners, improving the quality of educators and mentors, and strengthening institutional capacity to support STEM.

• The Office of Naval Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY25 ONR Office Of Naval Research (ONR) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics(STEM) Education and Workforce Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.330.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-07-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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