[Air Force -- Research Lab](https://www.afrl.af.mil)

July 18, 2029 (Final Letter of Intent)

Up to $49,000,000 total; multiple awards anticipated; project periods from 1–5 years.

Supports university-led research in directed energy technologies relevant to Air Force and DoD missions.

Mandatory Letter of Intent required via Valid Eval portal; only invited applicants may submit full proposals.

--- ## Description This opportunity, offered by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Directed Energy Directorate, funds basic, applied, and advanced research in directed energy and related technologies. The program aims to foster university research that advances the state of the art in areas critical to the Department of Defense (DoD), with a focus on laser systems, high power electromagnetics, electro-optics for space superiority, and weapons modeling and simulation. The program is open for five years, with a total funding ceiling of $49 million and multiple awards expected. --- ## Due Dates - **Mandatory Letter of Intent (LOI):** May be submitted at any time up to **July 18, 2029, 4:00 PM EST**. - **Full Application:** By invitation only, after LOI review. No hard deadlines for full proposals; submit upon invitation. --- ## Funding Amount - **Total Program Ceiling:** $49,000,000 over five years. - **Award Size & Duration:** Multiple awards anticipated; individual project periods may range from 1 to 5 years. Award size will vary based on project scope and available funds. - **Cost Sharing:** Not required, but voluntary cost sharing is allowed and not an evaluation factor. --- ## Eligibility - **Who May Apply:** Accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (degree-granting, non-profit) in science, mathematics, and/or engineering. For-profit educational institutions are not eligible. - **Geographic Restrictions:** Work must be performed in the United States. - **Project Scope:** Research must be unclassified and fundamental in nature (results are expected to be publishable and broadly shared). - **Other Requirements:** Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). --- ## Application Process ### 1. **Mandatory Letter of Intent (LOI)** - **Submission:** All applicants must submit an LOI via the [Valid Eval portal](https://usg.valideval.com/teams/afrl_rad/signup). - **Content (max 2 pages):** - CTC Topic (see below) - Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate - Short technical description - Period of performance - Public purpose statement - University contacts - Cage Code - **Attachments:** - SF 424 Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) - Security Program Questionnaire - Privacy Act Statement for each covered individual ### 2. **LOI Review** - LOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis (allow up to 30 working days for response). - Evaluation criteria: relevance to AFRL topic, available funds, and applicant eligibility. - Only applicants invited by the Grants Officer may submit a full application. ### 3. **Full Application (by invitation only)** - **Submission:** Through the Valid Eval portal (no hard copies). - **Format:** PDF, max 20 pages (including cover, charts, references). - **Required Forms:** SF 424 (R&R), budget forms, project narrative, data management plan, and other standard federal forms. - **Budget:** Follow [AFRL budget proposal instructions](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment%201-Budget%20Proposal%20Instructions%20Assistance%20Instruments.pdf). - **Data Management Plan:** Max 2 pages, addressing data types, sharing, archiving, and preservation ([see guidelines](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment%203%20-Data%20Management%20Plan%20DMP.docx)). - **Security Review:** All key personnel must complete a security questionnaire; proposals are subject to a security risk review. --- ## Research Focus Areas Proposals should address one or more of the following Core Technical Competencies (CTCs): - **Laser Systems:** Solid-state, fiber, and hybrid lasers; beam control; laser effects; modeling and simulation. - **Directed Energy and Electro-Optics for Space Superiority:** Optical/imaging technologies, adaptive optics, atmospheric compensation, quantum communication. - **High Power Electromagnetics:** High-power microwave generation, pulsed power, system vulnerability, plasma physics, numerical simulation. - **Weapons Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis:** Mission-level simulation and analysis of directed energy and kinetic weapons. --- ## Additional Information - **Security & Compliance:** All proposals undergo a security risk review. Disclosure of all current and pending support for key personnel is required. - **Performance Location:** All work must be performed in the U.S.; foreign travel requires prior approval. - **Reporting:** Final technical, financial, and patent reports are required for all awards. - **Workshops/Conferences:** One per award may be supported, with justification and cost details. --- ## External Links - [AFRL Directed Energy Directorate](https://www.afrl.af.mil/RD/) - [Official Grants.gov Opportunity Page](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/355499) - [Valid Eval Submission Portal](https://usg.valideval.com/teams/afrl_rad/signup) - [AFRL Budget Proposal Instructions (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment%201-Budget%20Proposal%20Instructions%20Assistance%20Instruments.pdf) - [Data Management Plan Guidelines (DOCX)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment%203%20-Data%20Management%20Plan%20DMP.docx) - [DoD R&D General Terms & Conditions (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment%202-DoD-research-and-development-rd-general-terms-and-conditions-september-2023.pdf) - [Security Program Questionnaire (DOCX)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment%205-Security%20Program%20Questionnaire.docx) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | |---------------------------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Mariah Salazar | Grants Officer | mariah.salazar@us.af.mil | | Jennifer Jaramillo | Alternate Grants Officer | jennifer.jaramillo@us.af.mil | | Monique Esquibel-Sena | Grants Specialist | monique.esquibel_sena@us.af.mil | | Brendan Merritt | Grants Specialist | brendan.merritt@us.af.mil | | AFRL Ombudsman | Conflict Resolution | afrl.pk.workflow@us.af.mil | For technical or administrative questions, contact the Grants Officer or Specialist listed above. For unresolved concerns, contact the AFRL Ombudsman. ---

Research and Development (RAD) Directed Energy (RD) University Assistance Instruments

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