FY26 DEFENSE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (DEPSCoR) - RESEARCH COLLABORATION (RC)
The FY26 DEPSCoR Research Collaboration grant offers up to $600,000 over three years to support S&E research by universities in eligible states, aiming to boost DoD-relevant research and infrastructure.
Funder: Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Due Dates: October 7, 2026 (RunGrants registration/Q&A cutoff) | October 12, 2026 (White Paper submission) | April 5, 2027 (Full Proposal, by invitation)
Funding Amounts: Up to $600,000 per award ($200,000/year for 3 years); ~24 awards; $14.4M total program funding.
Summary: Supports basic research collaborations in DoD-relevant science and engineering between new and experienced DoD-funded faculty in DEPSCoR-eligible states/territories.
Key Information: White Paper submission is required for full proposal eligibility; strict eligibility rules for both Applicant and Collaborator.
Description
This opportunity, administered by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) under the Department of Defense (DoD), aims to build research capacity and stimulate competitive science and engineering research in states and territories that have historically received less DoD research funding. The program specifically funds collaborative basic research projects between a new DoD investigator (Applicant) and an experienced DoD-funded researcher (Collaborator), with the goal of increasing the number and competitiveness of university researchers and institutions in eligible regions. Projects must address one of several DoD mission-relevant topic areas, ranging from biosciences and condensed matter physics to wireless networks and shock mitigation materials.
