Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics (STEM) with Focus on Robotics | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

This funding opportunity, titled "Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with Focus on Robotics" (Funding Opportunity Number KYPTBAA 11 0001), is a reposted announcement from NUWC Division Keyport after technical issues affected the earlier posting. It is offered under U.S.C. Title 10, section 2192(b), and is aimed at supporting STEM education outreach programs that emphasize robotics, especially Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The core purpose is workforce-oriented: helping cultivate the next generation of scientists and engineers in disciplines that matter to the Department of Defense by giving students practical, hands-on engineering experiences and exposure to real technical problem-solving.

The program is intended to be carried out primarily in Kitsap County, Washington, with the possibility of expanding into other counties if that helps replicate similar community STEM organizations and activities. A key feature is coordination: the selected recipient is expected to act as a central organizer linking the Navy and DoD community with contractors, schools, and private citizens. The outreach goals are straightforward and measurable in spirit: increase student interest in STEM, provide training and structure for government employees who volunteer in the program, and expand the long-term local talent pipeline that the Navy and related employers can potentially hire from in the future.

Operationally, the recipient is expected to handle the practical backbone of these activities, not just the educational content. That includes managing materials and equipment logistics (for example, parts, tools, event supplies, pool access where needed, and scheduling) as well as organizing and running events. Just as important, the recipient must manage interfaces with school districts, meaning they will need to coordinate with school administrators and teachers, align activities with school calendars and policies, and ensure programs can be executed smoothly in real school environments.

The announcement highlights several example project areas that proposals can support, centered on underwater robotics and broader STEM competition pathways. One flagship activity is the High School ROV Challenges, where students design and build an underwater robot using low-cost, widely available parts while working within design specifications and timelines. The learning emphasis goes beyond assembly and includes real engineering habits: project management, team communication, troubleshooting, soldering and wiring, mechanical structure building, and component and system-level testing. The activity culminates in pool-based testing, beginning with a "shake out" test to verify basic functionality, followed by a more realistic pool challenge that simulates performance under constraints.

Another major pathway is SeaPerch, a well-known entry-level underwater robotics build that is also hands-on but more guided. Students build an underwater robot by following structured instructional materials that teach foundational science and engineering concepts. Like the high school challenge, SeaPerch still develops practical skills such as soldering, wiring, and basic fabrication, and it ends with a pool-based challenge that provides a clear, motivating performance goal.

For more advanced students, the announcement includes Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) activities, framed as a higher difficulty, industry-like experience where students work in "subcontractor teams." The longer-term ambition is to develop one or more teams capable of competing in the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) competition, which implies deeper engagement with autonomy, sensors, controls, systems integration, and competitive engineering readiness.

The opportunity also encourages a pipeline model that spreads STEM interest downward into younger grades. The Multiply Science Infusion Program is designed to increase STEM exposure at elementary and middle school/junior high levels by training high school students, preferably those already involved in the ROV program, to present and support STEM applications in lower grades. In practice, this means high school students would assist teachers and serve as near-peer mentors, helping make STEM feel more accessible and relatable for younger students while reinforcing the older students' own mastery through teaching.

Beyond underwater systems, the announcement supports broader robotics mentoring and competition ecosystems. The robotics component is described as mentor-based and focused on building technical skills alongside "life capabilities" such as confidence, communication, and leadership. Examples explicitly included are FIRST Robotics Challenge, FIRST Lego League, and microrobotics applications, signaling that proposals can cover a range of ages and sophistication levels, from Lego-based introductory engineering to full-scale competitive robotics.

Recognizing that STEM engagement is not only about building hardware, the opportunity also lists MathCounts as an eligible outreach activity, with an emphasis on sustaining student interest in mathematics through afterschool math clubs. This complements robotics and engineering activities by strengthening the math foundation students need to succeed in more advanced technical work.

Finally, the announcement mentions a Summer Program component that involves partnering with Olympic College and other schools to implement science application programs during the summer, supporting broader community efforts to increase STEM participation and hands-on learning opportunities outside the traditional school year.

In terms of award structure, the agency plans to make one award with an estimated total funding amount of $80,000, and the award ceiling is also $80,000. The funding instruments are listed as a grant or cooperative agreement, which generally signals that the government may expect substantial involvement in the program for a cooperative agreement, particularly given the coordination requirements with Navy and DoD stakeholders. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated. The activity category is listed as science and technology and other research and development, and the CFDA number is 12.630 (Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering).

Eligibility is open to a range of education and nonprofit entities, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, and nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education in that nonprofit category). The posting date is January 12, 2011, with a closing date of February 11, 2011.

For access issues or questions tied to the full announcement, the listed contact is Cindy Harley, Grants/Contract Specialist at NUWC Keyport, reachable by phone at 360-315-3868 or by email at cindy.harley@navy.mil.

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