Air Force Office of Scientific Research

Title Sort descending Due Date Maximum Award Amount Description
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (COE): Intelligent Structures for Morphing High Speed Vehicles $5,000,000.00

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) seeks unclassified proposals from educational institutions in the United States for a University Center of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent Structures for Morphing High Speed Vehicles.This center is a joint project between AFOSR and the Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW), Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ), and Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX), referred to collectively as “we, our, or us” or “AFRL” in this announcement. This Center of Excellence is anticipated to extend the research interests and capabilities of AFRL in this area. and provide opportunities for a new generation of US scientists and engineers to address United States Space Force (USSF) and United States Air Force (USAF) research needs. Proposals must not contain any proprietary information.We will consider proposals for up to five (5) years with a three-year (3) base period and a two-year (2) option period.We will evaluate proposals using peer review panels and the criteria specified in Section E of this FOA (Application Review Information).We anticipate making at least one award under this competition for a team proposal with no more than two universities.AFRL invites proposals for research in the areas described in detail below. The schedule for this announcement is given in Section B, Federal Award Information. This research effort will consist of multidisciplinary teams of researchers with the skills needed to address the relevant research challenges necessary to meet the program’s goals. Multi- investigator teaming is encouraged. University teaming (up to two) is allowed. Under no circumstances will the Government help to create teams.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=346032
Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Create the Future Independent Research Effort $4,500,000.00

The Create the Future Independent Research Effort (CFIRE) seeks to ensure the future technological superiority of the DOD by cultivating emerging areas of research at institutions of higher education (hereafter referred to as “universities”) today. The topic areas that we seek to support with this FOA are independent from those described in our open BAA (Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research) and do not fall completely within any one research program. We seek to support multidisciplinary research efforts, creating synergies to speed DoD-relevant research and development. Basic and applied research are defined in the DoD Financial Management Regulation: Basic research is systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs. It is farsighted high payoff research that provides the basis for technological progress (DoD 7000.14-R, vol. 2B, chap. 5, para. 050201.B). Applied research is systematic study to understand the means to meet a recognized and specific need. It is a systematic expansion and application of knowledge to develop useful materials, devices, and systems or methods. It may be oriented, ultimately, toward the design, development, and improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet general mission area requirements. Applied research may translate promising basic research into solutions for broadly defined military needs, short of system development. This type of effort may vary from systematic mission-directed research beyond that in Budget Activity 1 to sophisticated breadboard hardware, study, programming and planning efforts that establish the initial feasibility and practicality of proposed solutions to technological challenges. It includes studies, investigations, and non-system specific technology efforts. The dominant characteristic is that applied research is directed toward general military needs with a view toward developing and evaluating the feasibility and practicality of proposed solutions and determining their parameters. Applied research precedes system specific technology investigations or development. Program control of the applied research program element is normally exercised by general level of effort. Program elements in this category involve pre-Milestone B efforts, also known as Concept and Technology Development phase tasks, such as concept exploration efforts and paper studies of alternative concepts for meeting a mission need (DoD 7000.14-R, vol. 2B, chap. 5, para. 050201.C). Detailed descriptions and the government point(s) of contact can be found below. The descriptions are intended to provide the applicant a frame of reference and are not meant to be restrictive to the possible approaches and component solutions to achieving the goals of the topic and the program. Innovative ideas addressing these research topics are highly encouraged. Proposals from an investigator team from multiple university departments and universities are warranted to assemble the expertise necessary to address the topics. Teams are also highly encouraged to leverage industry collaborations, where appropriate, to demonstrate an ability to develop solutions that can be eventually applied to a specific application. Proposals shall name one Principal Investigator (PI) as the responsible technical point of contact. Similarly, one institution shall be the primary awardee for the purpose of award execution. The PI shall come from the primary institution. The relationship among participating institutions and their respective roles, as well as the apportionment of funds including sub-awards, if any, shall be described in both the proposal text and budget. The schedule for this announcement is given in Section B, Award Information. In fiscal year 2023, we seek proposals in three topic areas: Astrodynamics, Materials for Quantum Information Science, and Synthetic Biology.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=344688
Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) $1,500,000.00

Agency Name: Air Force Office of Scientific Research Description: See full announcement in Related Documents folder for detailed descriptions of the SPECIFIC MURI TOPICS. Grantor Contact Information: If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact Katie Wisecarver Program Coordinator Phone 703-696-9544 Business Point of Contact

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=337959
Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 National Science Portal Pilot (NSPP) $4,500,000.00

The Basic Research National Science Portals (NSPs) seek to accelerate DoD critical scientific areas and flood the United States with diverse STEM talent by capitalizing on the demonstrated excellence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities/ Minority Serving Institutions/ Tribal Colleges (HBCU/MSI/TCs) and building their research capacity in critical research areas. The topic areas that we seek to support with this FOA are independent from those described in our open Broad Agency Announcement (Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research) and do not fall completely within any one research program. We seek to support multidisciplinary research efforts, creating synergies to speed DoD-relevant research and development. This FOA is a pilot for the NSPs and is intended to (1) attract faculty and students to conduct cutting-edge basic research in the technical areas listed in Section 1, (2) build capacity needed to support this research and (3) attract students to pursue studies leading to STEM careers, including in government, the defense industry, and academia.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=346920
Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) $7,500,000.00

Agency Name: Air Force Office of Scientific Research Description: See full announcement in Related Documents folder for detailed descriptions of the SPECIFIC MURI TOPICS. Grantor Contact Information: If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact Katie Wisecarver Program Coordinator Phone 703-696-9544 Business Point of Contact

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=346285
Fiscal Year 2022 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program $50,000.00

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) seeks a broad range of applications for augmenting existing and/or developing innovative solutions that directly maintain and/or cultivate a diverse, world-class Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce to maintain the U.S. Air Force and Space Force’s technological superiority. The goal of proposed efforts must provide solutions that establish, build, and/or maintain STEM educational pathways and workforce opportunities for diverse U.S. citizens directly relevant to AFOSR science and technology areas.As the capacity of the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Science and Technology (S&T) workforce is interconnected with STEM education and outreach, AFOSR recognizes the need to support efforts that can jointly improve STEM student outcomes and align education and outreach efforts with DAF S&T current and future workforce needs. This announcement explicitly encourages projects that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students of all ages and the air and space-related workforce. Projects must aim to increase engagement in STEM, from students to the current workforce, and enhance people with needed DAF STEM skills, knowledge and abilities. AFOSR encourages applications to utilize current STEM education research for informing project design and advancing STEM careers and opportunities of DAF relevance.This FOA is specifically seeking STEM education and outreach projects that address scientific and technical areas identified in the following thrust areas. Project scope may range in size and complexity. While not a formal requirement or program focus of this FOA, applicants are strongly encouraged to consider under-represented and under-served populations including women and minorities in project plans. Special audience priority areas may include, but not be limited to, military connected students, veteran initiatives, and education systems integral to DAF science and technology.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=337827
Fiscal Year 2023 Lending Library - Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (LL-DURIP) $50,000.00

This announcement seeks proposals from universities to create, market and implement a lending library program using DURIP-funded instrumentation. Proposals are accepted from entities who previously received a DURIP grant and currently have access to the DURIP-funded instrumentation. These could have been funded by the Army Research Office (ARO), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and AFOSR. However, this STEM supplement is a stand-alone opportunity that is only provided by the AFOSR.A central purpose of the DURIP-LL program is to provide hands-on experiential learning opportunities using equipment and instrumentation to enhance research related education in areas of interest and priority to the DoD. Therefore, your proposal must address the impact of the equipment or instrumentation on your institution’s ability to educate K-12 students through research in disciplines important to DoD missions.DoD STEM goals are as follows:Goal 1.0: Inspire community engagement in DoD STEM education programs and activities to provide meaningful STEM learning opportunities for students and educators.Goal 2.0: Attract the Nation's and DoD's current and future STEM workforce through multiple pathways to educational and career opportunities.Goal 3.0: Increase participation of underserved and underrepresented groups in STEM education.Goal 4.0: Advance the efficiency and effectiveness of STEM education and workforce development programs, activities, and outreach through evaluation and assessment. Relevant information includes, but is not limited to, details of any other Federal funds to be used, and any funds to be contributed by non-Federal sources toward STEM outreach and education.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=345430
Fiscal Year 2023 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program $50,000.00

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) seeks a broad range of applications for augmenting existing and/or developing innovative solutions that directly maintain and/or cultivate a diverse, world-class Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce to maintain the U.S. Air Force and Space Force’s technological superiority. The goal of proposed efforts must provide solutions that establish, build, and/or maintain STEM educational pathways and workforce opportunities for diverse U.S. citizens directly relevant to AFOSR science and technology areas.As the capacity of the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Science and Technology (S&T) workforce is interconnected with STEM education and outreach, AFOSR recognizes the need to support efforts that can jointly improve STEM student outcomes and align education and outreach efforts with DAF S&T current and future workforce needs. This announcement explicitly encourages projects that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students of all ages and the air and space-related workforce. Projects must aim to increase engagement in STEM, from students to the current workforce, and enhance people with needed DAF STEM skills, knowledge and abilities. AFOSR encourages applications to utilize current STEM education research for informing project design and advancing STEM careers and opportunities of DAF relevance.This FOA is specifically seeking STEM education and outreach projects that address scientific and technical areas identified in the following thrust areas. Project scope may range in size and complexity. While not a formal requirement or program focus of this FOA, applicants are strongly encouraged to consider under-represented and under-served populations including women and minorities in project plans. Special audience priority areas may include, but not be limited to, military connected students, veteran initiatives, and education systems integral to DAF science and technology.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=345510
Fiscal Year 2024 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) $3,000,000.00

The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the Fiscal Year 2024 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). DURIP is designed to improve the capabilities of accredited United States (U.S.) institutions of higher education to conduct research and to educate scientists and engineers in areas important to national defense, by providing funds for the acquisition of research equipment or instrumentation. For-profit organizations are not eligible for DURIP funding.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=346064
FY22 DEFENSE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (DEPSCoR) – CAPACITY BUILDING (CB) $1,000,000.00

1. The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the fiscal year 2022 (FY22) Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) – Capacity Building. The program is sponsored and managed by the Basic Research Office, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD [R&E]), awarded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), and administered through the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The DoD plans to award FY22 DEPSCoR appropriations through this announcement. DEPSCoR's objectives are to:(1) increase the number of university researchers in eligible States/Territories capable of performing science and engineering (S&E) research responsive to the needs of the DoD; and(2) enhance the capabilities of institutions of higher education (IHE) in eligible States/Territories (listed below) to develop, plan, and execute S&E research that is relevant to the mission of the DoD, and competitive under the peer-review systems used for awarding Federal research assistance;(3) increase the probability of long-term growth in the competitively awarded financial assistance that IHE in eligible States/Territories receive from the Federal Government for S&E research.Consistent with these long‑term objectives of building research infrastructure, the DoD intends to competitively make, and fund from fiscal year 2022 appropriations, multiyear awards for capacity building in IHEs with research areas relevant to the DoD’s mission and which are important to national security.The Basic Research Office anticipates up to $4 million in total funding will be made available for this program to fully fund and award between one to four grants up to $1 million (total cost) each. Each grant award will be funded up to $500,000 (total cost) per year for two (2) years.The award is subject to funding availability. The Basic Research Office reserves the right to select and fund for award all, some, part, or none of the proposals received. There is no guarantee of an award.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=340046