FY26 DEFENSE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (DEPSCoR) CAPACITY BUILDING (CB)
Limited submission
The FY26 DEPSCoR Capacity Building grant offers up to $6M to help universities in eligible states strengthen their science and engineering research capabilities relevant to Department of Defense needs.
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Funder: Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Due Dates: October 12, 2026 (White Paper) | April 5, 2027 (Full Proposal, by invitation only)
Funding Amounts: $750,000–$1,500,000 per award (2 years); up to $6M total program funding; 1–4 awards expected
Summary: Supports capacity building in basic research at institutions of higher education in underfunded states/territories to enhance competitiveness for DoD-relevant science and engineering grants.
Key Information: Only IHEs in DEPSCoR-eligible states/territories may apply; White Paper submission is mandatory for full proposal invitation.
Description
This Department of Defense (DoD) opportunity, administered by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), aims to build basic research capacity at institutions of higher education (IHEs) in states and territories that have historically received less DoD science and engineering (S&E) research funding. The program’s objectives are to:
- Increase the number of university researchers in eligible states/territories who can perform DoD-relevant S&E research,
- Enhance the research capabilities of IHEs in these regions,
- Improve their competitiveness for future federal S&E research funding.
The program funds strategic, multi-thrust efforts to address gaps in basic research capacity, including equipment acquisition, faculty hiring, educational initiatives, and research planning, all in support of long-term, sustainable growth in DoD-relevant research.
