Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence

The Intelligence Community Centers for Academic Excellence (IC CAE) Program is codified in the National Security Act with the intent to increase the pool of applicants for Intelligence Community (IC) organizations by expanding awareness of the IC mission and culture throughout ethnically and geographically diverse communities. The IC CAE Program Office at ODNI (IC CAE PO) encourages applications that showcase innovative ideas for establishing enduring curricula, partnerships, and programs in areas of interest to the IC and national security. The IC CAE PO has found that the most successful recipients are those guided by personnel with knowledge of and experience in the IC; however, this is not a requirement. Further findings show that school programs are enhanced by partnerships with and outreach to IC installations and private industry in their regions supporting intelligence and national security work. The IC CAE has nine objectives that serve as the foundation of the program: (1) Consortium and Single Institution of Higher Education, (2) Curriculum Development, (3) Establish and Maintain IC CAE Program Management, Marketing, and Sustainment Action Plans, (4) Foreign Language Programs, (5) Faculty Research and Professional Development in Support of Teaching to the Chosen Curriculum Pathway, (6) Student Participation in Academic Programs and Professional Development Activities, (7) Host an Annual Colloquium or Speaker Series in Collaboration with Sub-recipients, (8) Study Abroad and Cultural Immersion, (9) Use of Grant Funds to Create Scholarships for IC CAE Scholars.

Any acceptably accredited four-year Institution of Higher Education (IHE) in the United States (including its territories and the District of Columbia) shall be eligible to apply as a Lead Institution. If the IHE is one of the four Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) categoriesHBCU, PBI, HSI, and/or AANAPISIas designated by the U.S. Department of Education, a consortium partner is optional but not required. If applying without a consortium partner, the IHE will be considered the Lead Institution. However, if the IHE does not belong to one of the four MSI categories, the application must include at least two IHEs, with at least one being from one of the four MSI categories listed above. Schools designated as any of these four MSI categories may be either the lead applicant or a consortium partner, or these MSI categories may make up the entire consortium. IHEs with Minority-serving designations other than the four listed may be either the lead applicant or a partner, provided there is at least one member school from the four named MSI categories also serving as a partner. Acceptably accredited two-year IHEs in the United States (including its territories and the District of Columbia), such as community colleges, shall be eligible to apply as consortium partners but not as lead institutions.

The criteria for selecting proposals will be detailed in the FOA. These will include the eligibility of the applicant and will correlate to the nine objectives listed earlier in this notice.

Statutory Formula: Title 2, Part 306, Subpart a,Public Law 117-263.Consistent with Section 6302 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263), by signing this agreement, the recipient certifies that it has not received financial or material in-kind support from the People's Republic of China, the Russia Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or the Republic of Cuba, during the 5-year period prior to the date of application for the grant. If during the period of this grant, the recipient receives financial or in-kind support from one of the above countries, the recipient will disclose this to the grants officer in the next progress report. Acceptance of financial and/or in-kind support from one of the designated countries may impact participation in the program and funding of grant options.Matching...

Fiscal Year2021: Curriculum Development/Enhancement: The grant funds for the schools to creatively expand, upgrade, enrich or integrate undergraduate or graduate course offerings in intelligence/national security or critical studies. Student Participation in Academic Programs and Professional Development Activities: The grant provides funds for the schools to organize and run academic and professional development activities. The grant also specifies the lead institution will develop an ability to provide broadband access, where possible, for those students with limited access across the consortia.Fiscal Year2024: The grant number 2024-24073100007 was awarded to Arizona State University. The grant number 2024-24073100008 was awarded to Southern University at Baton Rouge.