Funder: Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command
Due Dates: February 23, 2025 (Questions on white papers) | March 9, 2025 (White papers) | June 15, 2025 (Questions on proposals) | July 1, 2025 (Full proposals)
Funding Amounts: Standard awards: typically ~$750,000 over 3 years; Early Career: ~$125,000 for 1 year; STIR: up to $60,000 for 1 year; no set minimum/maximum.
Summary: Supports basic research in behavioral and social sciences to advance Army personnel readiness, focusing on measurement, teams, organizations, and learning.
Key Information: White paper submission is strongly encouraged but not required; open to international applicants (with some restrictions).
Description
This opportunity, issued by the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI), seeks proposals for basic research that will provide a scientific foundation for improving the Army’s ability to acquire, develop, employ, and retain soldiers and leaders. The program is designed to address long-term personnel readiness and performance challenges through foundational research in behavioral and social sciences.
Research should be basic in nature (not applied or focused on specific technology development or training program evaluation) and should aim to advance theory, methods, or models relevant to Army personnel, teams, organizations, and learning processes. Multidisciplinary and high-risk/high-reward projects are encouraged.
The program is organized around four strategic research domains:
- Measurement of Individuals and Collectives: Advanced psychometric theory, new assessment methods, and measurement of complex behaviors.
- Teams and Small Groups: Team composition, adaptation, formation, and performance, including dynamics of rapidly formed or heterogeneous teams.
- Organizations and Systems: Multilevel theory and methods for understanding organizational culture, identity, and processes in complex, adaptive systems.
- Formal and Informal Learning and Development: Models and measures of learning and development across the career span, including self-directed and technology-enabled learning.
Proposals may be submitted as standard research projects, Early Career Proposals (ECP), or Short-Term Innovative Research (STIR) projects.
Due Dates
- Questions on White Papers: February 23, 2025 (5:00 PM EST)
- White Paper Submission Deadline: March 9, 2025 (5:00 PM EST)
- Questions on Full Proposals: June 15, 2025 (5:00 PM EDT)
- Full Proposal Submission Deadline: July 1, 2025 (5:00 PM EDT)
White paper submission is strongly encouraged to receive early feedback but is not required for proposal submission.
Funding Amount
- Standard Awards: Typically around $750,000 total for a 3-year period.
- Early Career Proposals (ECP): Approximately $125,000 for the initial year (with possible option years).
- Short-Term Innovative Research (STIR): Up to $60,000 for a 1-year project.
- No set minimum or maximum award amount. Funding is subject to availability and program priorities.
Eligibility
- Eligible Applicants:
- Institutions of higher education (domestic and foreign)
- Non-profit organizations
- Commercial entities
- International applicants are eligible, except those from countries on the U.S. State Department List of Countries that Support Terrorism.
- Not eligible as prime recipients: U.S. Government Laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and U.S. Service Academies.
- Early Career Proposals: PI must have received their PhD within 5 years of submission and not previously received ARI funding as PI.
- STIR Proposals: Open to all, for rapid, short-term innovative research.
Application Process
- White Papers: Strongly encouraged, but not required. Submit by email to Dr. Kimberly Wingert (see Contact Information).
- Full Proposals: Must be submitted via Grants.gov. Registration with SAM.gov and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) are required.
- Proposal Format:
- Technical volume (max 25 pages, single-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman)
- Cost volume (detailed budget and justification)
- Required forms (SF 424 R&R, attachments)
- Required Content: Abstract, background, application potential, technical approach, references, CVs, and budget.
- Review Criteria: Scientific/technical merit, impact, qualifications, and cost.
Additional Information
- Types of Proposals:
- Standard (3 years typical)
- Early Career (1 year, with possible option years)
- STIR (1 year, up to $60,000)
- Collaboration: Multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaborations are encouraged.
- Use of Military Participants: Not required or encouraged; ARI is unlikely to arrange access to military participants or data for basic research.
- Reporting: Quarterly progress reports, annual reviews, and a final technical report are required.
- No cost sharing or matching required.
- No profit/fee allowed on grants or cooperative agreements.
External Links
Contact Information
For additional information, see the funder's contact page.