Funder: Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
Due Dates: Rolling (proposals accepted at any time until May 18, 2028)
Funding Amounts: Typical awards: $100,000–$300,000 per year for 3 years; up to $10,000,000 total; most awards 3–5 years
Summary: Supports fundamental research in science and engineering fields relevant to U.S. Air Force and Space Force priorities, spanning engineering, physical, biological, and information sciences.
Key Information: Open to academic, nonprofit, and industry organizations; individuals and federal agencies are not eligible to apply.
Description
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) funds basic scientific and engineering research with the potential for significant impact on future Air Force and Space Force capabilities. This opportunity covers a broad range of topics in engineering, information science, physical sciences, and chemistry/biological sciences. AFOSR seeks proposals for fundamental research that advances the state of the art and aligns with the technical needs of the Department of the Air Force.
Research areas are managed within two main departments:
- Engineering and Information Science (RTA)
- Physical and Biological Sciences (RTB)
Each department encompasses multiple specialized program areas (see below for examples). International collaborations are welcome, and AFOSR maintains overseas offices for non-U.S. applicants.
Proposals are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Researchers are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a full proposal.
Due Dates
- Rolling submission: Proposals are accepted at any time until May 18, 2028.
- Some program areas may recommend submission by specific dates to align with annual funding cycles; contact the relevant program officer for guidance.
Funding Amount
- Typical award: $100,000–$300,000 per year
- Award duration: Most awards are 3 years; proposals may request up to 5 years.
- Award ceiling: $10,000,000 (no exceptions above this amount)
- Total anticipated funding: Approximately $200 million available over the life of the announcement, subject to Congressional appropriations.
Eligibility
- Eligible applicants: Academic institutions (including HBCUs and minority institutions), nonprofit organizations, and industry.
- Not eligible: Individuals, federal agencies, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) cannot apply as primary recipients.
- International applicants: Eligible and encouraged to apply via AFOSR’s international offices.
- Cost sharing: Not required for grants or cooperative agreements (may be required for certain other transaction agreements).
- Conflict of Interest/Commitment: Disclosure of all current and pending support is required for all covered individuals.
Application Process
- Contact the relevant program officer: Strongly encouraged before submitting a proposal.
- Prepare your application: Proposals must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov.
- Use the Standard Form (SF) 424 (R&R) and all required attachments.
- Include a project abstract, narrative, budget, biosketches, and current/pending support.
- Complete the required Security Program Questionnaire and Privacy Act Statement for all covered individuals.
- Obtain an ORCID ID for all key personnel.
- Ensure your institution is registered in SAM.gov and has a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and CAGE code.
- Submit via Grants.gov: Proposals are only accepted electronically through Grants.gov.
- Review process: Proposals are evaluated for technical merit and relevance to Air Force/Space Force missions; additional criteria include team qualifications and risk assessment.
Research Areas of Interest
Examples include (but are not limited to):
- Engineering and Complex Systems
- Information and Networks
- Physical Sciences (quantum, plasma, optics, materials)
- Chemistry and Biological Sciences (biophysics, molecular dynamics, organic materials)
A full list of program areas and program officer contacts is provided in the full Broad Agency Announcement (BAA).
Additional Information
- Security review: All proposals undergo a risk-based security review. Required forms must be completed at submission.
- Public dissemination: Results of funded research are expected to be published and publicly disseminated unless otherwise restricted.
- Reporting: Annual and final technical and financial reports are required.
- No guaranteed award: Submission does not guarantee funding.
External Links
Contact Information
| Program Area / Inquiry Type | Contact Person / Email | Phone |
|---|
| General BAA/Administrative | Jennifer Brown, Procurement Analyst | |
| afosr.baa@us.af.mil | |
| Program-specific questions | See BAA PDF, section I for all program officer contacts | |
| Grants.gov technical support | Grants.gov Support Center | 1-800-518-4726 |
For technical questions, email the relevant program officer listed in the BAA. For general or administrative questions, use afosr.baa@us.af.mil.