Opportunity Information: Apply for USAFA FOA 2016 2
Apply for USAFA FOA 2016 2
- The DOD-USAFA in the education, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Department of Defense Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Outreach" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.560.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 16, 2016 and posted on May 16, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 08, 2016. (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 $9,900,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Department of Defense Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Outreach funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USAFA FOA 2016 2) is a discretionary federal program run through the U.S. Air Force Academy (DOD-USAFA) that is designed to strengthen and expand STEM education and outreach efforts aligned with Department of Defense priorities. The core purpose is to gather white papers first and then, for selected respondents, invite full proposals through a later Request for Proposals (RFP). The work sought under this announcement is meant to help the Air Force support broader DoD STEM education and outreach goals and strategies, with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) STEM Office aiming to execute a program that implements key elements of the DoD Science and Technology strategy. In practical terms, the government is looking for program concepts that build the nation’s long-term STEM capacity and readiness while also potentially supporting the DoD mission through meaningful, sustained engagement with students, educators, and partner organizations.
The opportunity emphasizes education and outreach activities that can produce durable impact rather than one-off events. A strong focus is placed on building sustainable partnerships, creating student engagement opportunities, and providing mentorship. The announcement explicitly highlights authentic STEM experiences, which generally signals interest in hands-on, problem-based learning tied to real-world STEM challenges, exposure to DoD-relevant science and technology areas, and experiences that help students see clear pathways into STEM studies and careers. The underlying rationale is workforce and readiness: by strengthening STEM learning pipelines today, the DoD helps ensure a future supply of talent capable of supporting national security-related science and technology needs.
From an administrative standpoint, the eligible applicant pool is listed as unrestricted, meaning the program is open to any type of entity (for example, educational institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, state or local governments, or other organizations), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may appear in the full announcement text. The funding instruments identified are cooperative agreements and grants, which typically indicates an assistance relationship (rather than a procurement contract) and may involve varying levels of government involvement depending on the instrument used. The activity categories attached to the opportunity are Education and Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and the CFDA number is 12.560, which is associated with DoD STEM-related assistance efforts.
In terms of scale, the announcement lists an award ceiling of $9,900,000 and anticipates a single award (Expected Awards: 1), suggesting the DoD intended to fund one large, centralized program or integrator rather than multiple smaller projects. The dates in the posting indicate it was created and posted on May 16, 2016, with an original and current closing date of August 8, 2016. The document also makes clear that the cost estimate is only an estimate and not a guarantee, and it repeatedly stresses that funding is uncertain and may change. No award would be made until funds are available, and the government reserves the right to cancel the opportunity at any time, including after the closing date, without reimbursing applicants for proposal or preparation costs. This language is important because it signals a higher-than-average risk that timing, scope, or funding levels could shift due to budget decisions or internal prioritization.
Overall, this FOA is best understood as a DoD-led STEM outreach and education initiative aimed at building long-term national STEM readiness while connecting participants to mentorship, partnerships, and authentic learning experiences that can also reinforce DoD mission needs. The process begins with white papers to identify the strongest concepts, followed by an RFP-driven proposal stage, with the possibility of one major award of up to nearly $10 million, contingent on funds being made available and the government’s discretion.
FAQs: DoD STEM Outreach Funding Opportunity (USAFA FOA 2016 2)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity run through the U.S. Air Force Academy (DOD-USAFA) under the Department of Defense STEM Outreach program. It supports Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and outreach efforts that align with Department of Defense priorities and broader DoD STEM education goals.
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USAFA FOA 2016 2.
3) What is the main goal of the program?
The goal is to strengthen and expand STEM education and outreach in ways that build long-term national STEM capacity and readiness. The opportunity is framed around durable, sustained impact (not one-off events) and may also support DoD mission needs by developing future STEM talent pipelines tied to national security-related science and technology areas.
4) What is the application process (white paper vs. full proposal)?
The process starts with white papers. After reviewing white papers, the government plans to invite selected respondents to submit full proposals through a later Request for Proposals (RFP). In other words, a full proposal is not the first step; the initial gate is the white paper stage.
5) What kind of projects or activities are they looking for?
The opportunity emphasizes STEM education and outreach efforts designed to produce durable outcomes. It highlights sustainable partnerships, student engagement opportunities, mentorship, and authentic STEM experiences, which typically means hands-on, problem-based learning connected to real-world STEM challenges and exposure to DoD-relevant science and technology topics.
6) What does "authentic STEM experiences" mean in this announcement?
Based on the language in the opportunity, "authentic STEM experiences" signals interest in hands-on and problem-based activities tied to real-world STEM challenges, exposure to DoD-relevant science and technology areas, and experiences that help students understand pathways into STEM education and careers.
7) How does this connect to Department of Defense priorities?
The announcement is meant to support DoD STEM education and outreach goals and strategies, with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) STEM Office aiming to execute a program that implements key elements of the DoD Science and Technology strategy. The rationale is workforce and readiness: strengthening STEM pipelines today helps ensure future talent for national security-related science and technology needs.
8) Who is eligible to apply?
The eligible applicant pool is listed as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may apply. Examples mentioned or implied include educational institutions, nonprofits, for-profits, and state or local governments, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may exist in the full announcement text.
9) What types of funding instruments will be used?
The identified funding instruments are cooperative agreements and grants. These are assistance mechanisms (not procurement contracts) and may involve varying degrees of government involvement depending on whether the award is structured as a grant or a cooperative agreement.
10) What program categories does this opportunity fall under?
The activity categories listed are Education and Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
11) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 12.560, which is associated with DoD STEM-related assistance efforts.
12) How much funding is available?
The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $9,900,000. The posting also notes that the cost estimate is only an estimate and is not a guarantee, and that funding is uncertain and may change.
13) How many awards does the government expect to make?
The opportunity anticipates a single award (Expected Awards: 1). This suggests the intent to fund one large, centralized program or integrator rather than multiple smaller awards.
14) When was the opportunity posted?
The posting indicates it was created and posted on May 16, 2016.
15) What is the closing date?
The original and current closing date listed is August 8, 2016.
16) Is funding guaranteed if we submit a white paper or proposal?
No. The announcement repeatedly stresses that funding is uncertain and may change. It states that no award will be made until funds are available.
17) Can the government cancel this opportunity?
Yes. The opportunity states the government reserves the right to cancel the opportunity at any time, including after the closing date.
18) Will applicants be reimbursed for proposal preparation costs if the opportunity is canceled?
No. The announcement states the government may cancel without reimbursing applicants for proposal or preparation costs.
19) Does this opportunity favor short events or long-term programs?
The opportunity emphasizes durable impact rather than one-off events. It highlights sustainability, meaningful engagement over time, partnerships, and mentorship.
20) What outcomes is the DoD trying to achieve through these STEM efforts?
The underlying outcomes described are building national long-term STEM capacity and readiness, strengthening STEM learning pipelines, increasing meaningful and sustained engagement with students and educators, and supporting DoD mission needs by encouraging pathways into STEM studies and careers relevant to national security science and technology.
21) Why does the announcement mention an RFP later?
The announcement is structured to gather and evaluate white papers first. Only selected respondents are expected to be invited to submit full proposals through a later Request for Proposals (RFP), which is the stage where detailed proposals would be requested.
22) Is this a procurement contract opportunity?
The instruments listed are grants and cooperative agreements, which indicate an assistance relationship rather than a procurement contract.
23) Does the opportunity indicate any risk related to timing or funding?
Yes. The language about uncertain funding, awards only if funds are available, and the government reserving the right to cancel at any time signals that timing, scope, or funding levels could change due to budget decisions or internal prioritization.
24) What does "single large award" imply for applicants?
Because the opportunity anticipates only one award with a ceiling of $9.9 million, it implies the government may be looking for a single lead organization to run or integrate a broad STEM outreach and education effort, rather than distributing funds across many separate projects.
25) What should a strong concept emphasize based on the description provided?
Based on the information provided, strong concepts would emphasize sustainable partnerships, mentorship, authentic hands-on STEM learning tied to real-world challenges, meaningful and sustained engagement with students and educators, and alignment with DoD STEM priorities and the DoD science and technology strategy.
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