The Department of Defense has announced a total of $3.3 million in grants awarded to three higher education institutions under the National Defense Education Program. These two-year grants are aimed at supporting the NDEP's Civil Society programs, which focus on enhancing civics education in areas such as critical thinking, media literacy, and public service engagement.

"Investments in civil society and civics education are vital to ensuring the United States prepares its talent base for the challenges of the 21st century," stated Dr. Aprille Ericsson, assistant secretary of defense for science and technology. "DoD invests heavily in STEM to prepare students to tackle current and future technology challenges. It invests in civics education to prepare them to be tomorrow's leaders, able to think independently, communicate adeptly, and engage with their communities as active, informed citizens."

In 2023, a total of 13 institutions received $53 million in grants supporting not only Civil Society programs but also the department's Manufacturing Engineering Education Program, STEM scholarship programs, and Enhanced Civics Education initiatives.

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering has allocated the 2024 grants to these institutions:

- The Regents of the University of Colorado (Colorado Springs, Colorado): "Digital Citizenship and Civics Leadership in the Pikes Peak Region (DCCL)"

- University of Montana (Missoula, Montana): "Project on American Democracy"

- Winona State University (Winona, Minnesota): "Winona State University Civic Center"

For more information about these awards or other DoD STEM partners, visit https://dodstem.us/about/partners/.

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) serves as the Chief Technology Officer for the Department of Defense. USD(R&E) promotes research, science, technology, engineering, and innovation to maintain technological superiority within the U.S. military. More details can be found at www.cto.mil or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ousdre.