U.S. Department of War Invests $4 Million in National STEM Program

The U.S. Department of War (DOW) announced an investment of $4 million on May 13 in a national initiative aimed at strengthening America's manufacturing and defense industrial base (DIB). This partnership with EXPLR Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) Inc. will fund the Washington, D.C. National STEM Festival event series and a 32-month media campaign under the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, with the primary goal of inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals for national security.

Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, the Honorable Michael Cadenazzi, said, "This initiative is a direct response to the need for a robust and skilled workforce to maintain the nation's defense capabilities and industrial resilience." He added, "Our investment in EXPLR aims to shift perceptions about careers in manufacturing and reduce resistance to pursuing paths within the DIB, while highlighting current positions available."

The STEM Festival series will feature annual, multi-day expos in Washington, D.C., where selected students nationwide will present solutions and research to future workforce builders. These events will offer hands-on STEM experiences and programming for all ages, alongside engagement opportunities with speakers and mentors. A supplementary media campaign will sustain interest and reach audiences beyond the capital, connecting students with experts and real-world opportunities to cultivate a dedicated talent pool.

Since its inception in 2014, the IBAS program has seen the DOW's Office of Industrial Base Policy invest over $4.6 billion across 217 projects to bolster the DIB. This program is integral to the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy's efforts to analyze the industrial base, identify critical gaps, and make targeted investments to build new capabilities and secure capacity, partnering directly with industry to achieve the strategic aims of the 2026 National Defense Strategy and presidential executive orders for a strong, resilient national industrial base.