Funder: Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Due Dates: October 12, 2026 (White paper) | April 5, 2027 (Invited full proposal)
Funding Amounts: $750,000–$1.5 million per award over two years, up to $750,000 annually; $6 million total anticipated
Summary: Builds institutional capacity for competitive, DoD-relevant basic research at higher education institutions in DEPSCoR-eligible jurisdictions.
Key Information: Each institution may submit only one application, led by a member of its executive staff.
Description
The FY26 DEPSCoR Capacity Building program supports institutions of higher education (IHEs), individually or in partnership, in developing sustainable capacity for basic science and engineering research relevant to Department of Defense needs. The Basic Research Office within OUSD(R&E) sponsors and manages the program, AFOSR awards the grants, and the Office of Naval Research administers them.
The program seeks strategic expansion beyond an institution’s existing research capacity through equipment, faculty hires, education, research, and regional outreach. Proposals must identify existing capabilities and gaps, explain how planned activities address those gaps, and establish management and long-term sustainment plans. Equipment-focused proposals can qualify when tied to a cohesive institutional strategy. Applied research and incremental improvement, centralization, or reorganization of existing recognized capacity are not responsive.
