Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Next deadline)
Funding Amounts: Base stipend approximately $95,000 plus $5,000 travel allowance; supplements based on experience; typical tenure 2-3 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral and senior researchers conducting basic research in morphing aircraft structural technology, including actuation, novel structural designs, flexible skins, and micro air vehicle applications.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens; requires contacting a Research Adviser prior to applying; relocation and health insurance benefits included.
Description
This fellowship opportunity supports basic research in morphing aircraft structural technology under the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Air Vehicles Directorate’s Adaptive Structures Team. Morphing aircraft are defined as vehicles capable of large-scale shape changes, such as a 50% change in wing platform area or 100% change in wing span, enabling them to perform diverse mission segments efficiently and flexibly.
Research areas of interest include:
- Integration and distribution of actuation systems within structures to enable effective movement with minimal energy consumption.
- Design of novel structural layouts and mechanization concepts using topology optimization linked to linear and nonlinear structural analysis.
- Development of morphing structural skin concepts that allow large deformations with minimal resistance while maintaining aerodynamic integrity.
- Application of morphing technologies to micro air vehicles.
The technology spans a wide range of vehicle sizes and speeds, from super- and hyper-sonic systems to micro air vehicles.
Due Dates
- Next application deadline: May 1, 2025, 5:00 PM ET
- Review finalized: Early June 2025
- Subsequent deadlines occur quarterly: August 1, November 1, February 1, etc.
If a deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it is moved to the next business day.
Funding Amount
- Base stipend: Approximately $95,000 per year
- Travel allowance: $5,000 annually
- Experience supplements available for postdoctoral and senior researchers based on years of experience beyond PhD
- Typical award duration: 2-3 years
- Additional benefits: Paid relocation for awardees living more than 50 miles from host lab (after 6 months tenure), group health insurance for awardees and dependents in the U.S.
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens only
- Applicant level: Postdoctoral researchers (PhD earned less than 5 years ago) and senior researchers (PhD earned at least 5 years ago or permanent appointment with significant research experience)
- Prior or current employment or postdoctoral fellowship at the sponsoring agency may disqualify applicants
- Applicants must have completed all degree requirements before starting tenure
- Applicants must contact the proposed Research Adviser before applying to discuss research plans and funding availability
Application Process
- Identify research opportunities and contact the Research Adviser listed for the opportunity
- Prepare application including:
- Profile information (contact, education, transcripts for postdocs)
- Research proposal (max 10 pages) with clear problem statement, background, methodology, expected results, and significance
- Letters of recommendation (minimum 3, including dissertation adviser for postdocs) uploaded by letter writers via the online system
- Submit application by deadline via the NRC RAP online portal
- Applications are reviewed by expert panels; scoring above 70/100 typically recommended for award
- Applicants receive reviewer feedback approximately one week after review finalization
- Award offers depend on ranking and available funding
Additional Information
- Health insurance is mandatory and partially cost-shared
- Relocation assistance is provided for eligible awardees
- Applicants may apply to up to three different agency opportunities per cycle but only one per agency
- Letters of recommendation must be from individuals not employed by the sponsoring agency unless they have served as mentors or collaborators during prior academic or research work
- Applicants are responsible for ensuring letters are submitted on time
- Previous NRC Research Associateship holders may apply again after a two-year gap from prior award termination
External Links
Contact Information
For questions about eligibility, application process, or other details, contact the NRC RAP office at the email or phone above.