UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 29, 2013

GENVEC, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT

Section 2 – Registrant’s Business and Operations

Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

On July 29, 2013, GenVec, Inc. (the “Company”) and the U.S. Naval Medical Logistics Command entered into a modification (the “Modification”) to their existing contract dated September 29, 2012 related to the support of malaria vaccine development efforts at the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center (the “NMRC Contract”). The modification terminates the NMRC Contract pursuant to the Navy’s right of termination for convenience effective July 30, 2013, and was the result of a request by the Company in light of the Company’s efforts to reduce its ongoing business operations. Of the originally anticipated $3.5 million over a three year period, through the date of termination the Company has received approximately $1.4 million under the NMRC Contract.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.