U.S. Department of War funds national STEM program to build defense workforce pipeline

The U.S. Department of War said it made a $4 million investment on May 13 in a national initiative to strengthen America’s manufacturing and defense industrial base. In partnership with EXPLR Public Benefit Corporation Inc., the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy will fund the National STEM Festival event series in Washington, D.C., and a 32-month media campaign through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program. The effort is intended to inspire the next generation of skilled professionals needed for national security.

“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,” said Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, the Honorable Michael Cadenazzi. “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 festival will consist of annual, multi-day expos in Washington where selected students from across the country will present solutions, prototypes, and research. Programming is designed for all ages and will feature hands-on STEM activities, along with speakers and mentors from varied backgrounds. A companion media campaign over 32 months aims to sustain interest and reach audiences beyond the nation’s capital. By linking students with mentors, industry experts, and real-world opportunities, the department and EXPLR aim to cultivate a skilled, dedicated talent pipeline.

Since the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program launched in 2014, the Office of Industrial Base Policy has invested more than $4.6 billion across 217 projects to bolster the defense industrial base. The program is part of a broader effort to analyze the industrial base, identify critical gaps, and make targeted investments to build capabilities and secure capacity in partnership with industry.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy works with domestic and international partners to sustain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base that enables the warfighter. Its Warfighting Investments, Resourcing, and Execution office manages the IBAS program and Defense Production Act purchases, supporting strategic aims outlined in the 2026 National Defense Strategy and presidential executive orders that call for a strong, resilient, and responsive industrial base capable of meeting national security requirements.