Opportunity Information: Apply for MDA 2013 DACV STEM 0001
Apply for MDA 2013 DACV STEM 0001
- The Department of Defense in the education other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Missile Defense Agency STEM Outreach B.E.S.T. Robotics Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 4, 2012 and posted on Dec 4, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 18, 2013. (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 $10,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Missile Defense Agency STEM Outreach B.E.S.T. Robotics Grant (Funding Opportunity Number MDA 2013 DACV STEM 0001) is a discretionary Department of Defense grant designed to expand participation in BEST Robotics by helping official BEST Robotics Local Competition Hubs buy additional team robotics kits. The central idea is straightforward: when a hub has more kits available, it can support more student teams, which in turn increases hands-on exposure to engineering and technology for K-12 students. By growing the number of teams that can compete, the program aims to boost STEM awareness and sustained engagement among younger students through a structured robotics competition environment.
This opportunity sits within the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) STEM Outreach effort, categorized under education and science and technology-related research and development activities, with an explicit outreach emphasis. MDA frames its broader STEM outreach goal as strengthening the future pipeline of U.S. scientists and engineers who can take on complex national security and missile defense challenges across government, industry, and academia. In practice, this specific grant uses robotics competitions as an early-entry pathway into STEM learning, giving students a tangible, team-based, problem-solving experience that aligns with real-world engineering habits like iterative design, testing, troubleshooting, and presentation.
Funding is provided as a grant with no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the barrier for eligible organizations to participate. Individual awards range from a floor of $1,000 to a ceiling of $10,000, making it suitable for targeted equipment purchases rather than large program overhauls. The funding is explicitly tied to purchasing new team robotic kits to support BEST Robotics teams; the emphasis is on increasing capacity at the hub level rather than funding unrelated activities.
Eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education, including both public/state-controlled universities and private universities. That eligibility structure suggests the program expects colleges and universities to serve as anchor institutions for local BEST Robotics hubs, leveraging their facilities, staff, volunteers, and community connections to support K-12 STEM engagement. The notice was posted and created on December 4, 2012, with an application deadline of January 18, 2013, and it was later archived on February 17, 2013, indicating this particular solicitation cycle is historical rather than currently open.
For those needing the full announcement or having access issues, the contact listed is Michael Eagan, Contract Specialist, reachable by phone at 256-450-4689, with an email referenced in the announcement. An additional information link is also noted as "MDA STEM Outreach," pointing applicants toward the program context and any supporting materials associated with the solicitation.
Missile Defense Agency STEM Outreach B.E.S.T. Robotics Grant FAQs
What is the Missile Defense Agency STEM Outreach B.E.S.T. Robotics Grant?
It is a discretionary U.S. Department of Defense grant offered through the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) STEM Outreach effort. The grant is designed to expand participation in BEST Robotics by helping official BEST Robotics Local Competition Hubs purchase additional team robotics kits.
What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is MDA 2013 DACV STEM 0001.
What problem is this grant trying to solve?
The program focuses on capacity. If a local BEST Robotics competition hub has more team robotics kits available, it can support more student teams, which increases K-12 student access to hands-on engineering and technology experiences through robotics competition.
What is the main goal of the grant?
The central goal is to increase the number of BEST Robotics teams a hub can support by funding the purchase of new team robotics kits. By increasing the number of teams that can compete, the program aims to boost STEM awareness and sustained engagement among K-12 students.
How does MDA describe the broader purpose of its STEM outreach effort?
MDA frames its broader STEM outreach goal as strengthening the future pipeline of U.S. scientists and engineers who can address complex national security and missile defense challenges across government, industry, and academia.
What types of activities does this grant fall under?
The opportunity is categorized under education and science and technology-related research and development activities, with an explicit STEM outreach emphasis.
What is the intended use of funds?
Funds are explicitly tied to purchasing new team robotic kits to support BEST Robotics teams. The emphasis is on increasing capacity at the hub level rather than supporting unrelated activities.
Does the grant require cost sharing or a matching contribution?
No. The grant is provided with no cost sharing or matching requirement.
How much funding is available per award?
Individual awards range from $1,000 to $10,000.
Is this grant intended for large program expansions or targeted purchases?
Based on the award size and stated purpose, it is aimed at targeted equipment purchases (team robotics kits) rather than large program overhauls.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education, including public/state-controlled universities and private universities.
Are K-12 schools eligible to apply directly?
The eligibility listed is limited to institutions of higher education (universities). The information provided does not list K-12 schools as eligible applicants.
What role are universities expected to play in this program?
The eligibility structure suggests colleges and universities are expected to serve as anchor institutions for local BEST Robotics hubs, leveraging facilities, staff, volunteers, and community connections to support K-12 STEM engagement.
What is BEST Robotics in the context of this grant?
Within this opportunity, BEST Robotics is described as a structured robotics competition environment used to provide K-12 students with hands-on exposure to engineering and technology through team-based problem solving.
What kinds of student experiences does the program emphasize?
The description highlights practical engineering habits and skills such as iterative design, testing, troubleshooting, and presentation within a team-based robotics competition setting.
When was this opportunity posted?
The notice was posted (and created) on December 4, 2012.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was January 18, 2013.
Is this grant opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity was later archived on February 17, 2013, which indicates this solicitation cycle is historical rather than currently open.
Which agency and department is associated with this grant?
This is associated with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) within the U.S. Department of Defense.
What type of award is offered?
Funding is provided as a grant.
Who is the contact person listed for this opportunity?
The listed contact is Michael Eagan, Contract Specialist.
How can the listed contact be reached?
By phone at 256-450-4689. An email is referenced in the announcement (not fully provided in the information shown).
Where can someone look for additional context about the program?
An additional information link is noted as "MDA STEM Outreach," which points to broader program context and any supporting materials associated with the solicitation.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (MDA 2013 DACV STEM 0001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Missile Defense Agency STEM Outreach B.E.S.T. Robotics Grant Apply for MDA 2014 DACV STEM 0001 Funding Number: MDA 2014 DACV STEM 0001 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Education Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $8,600 |
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