[Munitions Directorate](https://www.afrl.af.mil/RW/)

May 14, 2025 (Proposal Due) | April 29, 2025 (Questions Due)

$75,000–$100,000 per award | 5–6 awards | 12-month projects

Short-term seedling grants for U.S. universities (preferably new to AFRL/RW) in bioprincipic systems or weapon autonomy/control research, with virtual pitch day for selected proposals.

Only one research area per proposal; open only to U.S. universities; security risk review required.

--- ## Description The Munitions Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RW) is seeking proposals from U.S. universities for short-term, high-impact research projects in two targeted areas: (1) bioprincipic systems (sensors, processing, control, and materials) and (2) weapon autonomy and control technology. This call is primarily intended for academic collaborators who do not currently have an existing contract or grant relationship with AFRL/RW, though all U.S. universities are eligible to apply. Selected proposals will be invited to a virtual pitch day, after which awards will be made. The goal is to seed new partnerships and assess the technical quality and feasibility of future collaborations. --- ## Due Dates - **Proposal Questions Due:** April 29, 2025 - **Proposal Submission Deadline:** May 14, 2025, 3:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST) - **Anticipated Award Notification:** June 16, 2025 --- ## Funding Amount - **Award Size:** $75,000–$100,000 per project - **Number of Awards:** 5–6 anticipated - **Project Duration:** 12 months (10 months research + 2 months final report) - **Cost Sharing:** Not required --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible Applicants:** - Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education - Private institutions of higher education - **Geographic Restriction:** U.S. universities only - **Preference:** Priority for institutions without an existing AFRL/RW contract or grant, but all U.S. universities may apply - **Foreign Participation:** Not authorized - **Other Requirements:** Security risk review for all senior/key personnel and “covered individuals” (see Application Process) --- ## Research Areas ### 1. Bioprincipic Systems (Sensors, Processing, Control, and Materials) - Focus: Understanding biological swarming/collective behavior, especially the sensors and algorithms enabling emergent behavior in autonomous biological agents. - Example topics: Sensor suites in animal swarms, modeling emergent behavior, impact of sensor properties on swarm structure. ### 2. Weapon Autonomy and Control Technology - Focus: Development of computationally efficient, intelligent guidance and control algorithms for autonomous systems in complex environments. - Example topics: Decentralized, context-aware reasoning; multi-agent collaboration; optimization and machine learning for guidance and control; resilient, distributed system performance. For more details, see the [full research topic descriptions (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Atch%203%20Research%20Topic%20Area%202%20%26%2017.pdf). --- ## Application Process - **Submission Platform:** [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/358673) - **Proposal Format:** - Technical/management volume (max 5 pages, Times New Roman 10pt, 1.5 spacing) - Statement of Objectives (SOO, max 2 pages) - Cost/business section (max 3 pages) - Cost breakdown in unlocked Excel format - **Required Attachments:** - Standard Form 424 (Research and Related Senior and Key Person Profile) - Security Program Questionnaire - Privacy Act Statement for each covered individual - Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Disclosure (if applicable) - **Security Risk Review:** All proposals undergo a security risk review for key personnel. Disclosures of all current and pending research support are required. - **Submission Notification:** Notify the Government POC (see below) when submitting via Grants.gov. --- ## Additional Information - **Only one research area topic per proposal.** - **Virtual pitch day:** Only proposals rated as “highly selectable” or “selectable” will be invited. - **Deliverables:** Scientific and final report. - **Period of Performance:** 12 months (10 months research, 2 months final report). - **Classification:** Anticipated to be Distribution A (publicly releasable); proposals with other classification levels must be marked appropriately. - **No cost sharing required.** - **Early submission is encouraged.** --- ## External Links - [Funder Home Page: Munitions Directorate, AFRL/RW](https://www.afrl.af.mil/RW/) - [Official Grants.gov Opportunity Page](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/358673) - [Full BAA Call Document (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/FA8651-22-S-0001%20CALL%2005%20UD%202025%20FINAL.pdf) - [Research Topic Areas 2 & 17 (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Atch%203%20Research%20Topic%20Area%202%20%26%2017.pdf) - [SOO Template (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Atch%201_SOO%20Template.pdf) - [Model Assistance Instrument/Grants Agreement (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Atch%202%20Model%20Assistance%20Instrument%20-Grants%20Agreement.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email/Link | Phone | |--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Adam Noffke (Contracts) | [afrl.afrl.rwkbaacallsworkflow@us.af.mil](mailto:afrl.afrl.rwkbaacallsworkflow@us.af.mil) | 850-883-2151 | | AFRL/RW Technical Library| [techlib1@us.af.mil](mailto:techlib1@us.af.mil) | (850)-882-5586| | AFRL/RW Security | [afrl.rw.risc@us.af.mil](mailto:afrl.rw.risc@us.af.mil) | | | Program Manager (Security)| [tonya.savage.1@us.af.mil](mailto:tonya.savage.1@us.af.mil) | | | General Contact Form | [AFRL/RW Contact Page](https://www.afrl.af.mil/Contact-Us) | |

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