Defense Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Consortium (DSEC) Cooperative Agreement

Overview

The Department of Defense Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (DoD STEM), under its National Defense Education Program (NDEP) and 10 U.S. Code 2192, seeks to enter into a cooperative agreement with a Consortium of like‐minded organizations (herein “Consortium Members”) to provide a continuum of meaningful STEM learning experiences for students and educators through effective STEM education and outreach programs. The Consortium will be named Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC). The Department intends to award ONE (1) cooperative agreement award of up to $190M over a period of performance of (up to) ten‐years. This cooperative agreement will consist of ONE (1) two‐year base period of up to $37M, followed by up to FOUR (4) two‐year option periods of $37.5M to $39M each, totaling up to ten years and up to $190M total Optional renewal periods are subject to availability of funds based on annual budget appropriations.

Program Description
The Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC) is a collaborative partnership between States, local governments, Indian tribes, Institutions of Higher Education (IHE), nonprofit organizations, for‐profit organizations and other partners in STEM that aims to broaden STEM literacy and prepare the STEM workforce of the future for the Department of Defense and for the Nation. 

Aligned to the Federal STEM Strategic Plan4 and the DoD STEM Strategic Plan1, DSEC will aim to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers through activities that engage students and educators in meaningful STEM experiences; connect student and educator participants to the DoD science and technology mission; empower parents and legal guardians of student participants to be better informed of the DoD STEM opportunities; serve military‐connected students and those historically underrepresented in STEM; leverage the network of Consortium Members to broaden reach and impact; and to evolve approach based on data.