Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), a component of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), manages the basic research investment portfolio for the Department of the Air Force, including both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Through this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), AFOSR seeks to foster foundational scientific discovery that can ultimately transition into capabilities supporting national defense, while also contributing to commercially valuable technologies. The program emphasizes long-term, high-risk basic research across a wide range of scientific and engineering disciplines, with a focus on advancing knowledge rather than immediate application. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to solicit proposals for unclassified basic research aligned with the Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program. Research areas span engineering and complex systems, information and networks, physical sciences, and bio-cognitive sciences. The program is designed to support transformative scientific breakthroughs that may significantly impact future military capabilities, including areas such as aerospace systems, quantum information science, materials science, cybersecurity, and advanced computational methods. The scope is intentionally broad, allowing investigators from academia, industry, and research institutions to propose innovative concepts that address fundamental scientific questions. Funding under this announcement is substantial, with approximately $200 million anticipated to be available, subject to appropriations. Individual research awards typically range between $100,000 and $300,000 per year, with most projects lasting three years, though proposals may request support for up to five years. Total award funding may not exceed $10,000,000. Funding may be issued through grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or other transaction mechanisms. The program does not guarantee funding for any submitted proposal, and AFOSR reserves full discretion to fund all, some, or none of the applications received. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes universities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit entities, and other research institutions capable of conducting fundamental research. Applicants must comply with Department of Defense grant regulations and adhere to “Gold Standard Science” principles, which emphasize reproducibility, transparency, peer review, and scientific integrity. Cost sharing is not explicitly required, and proposals must focus strictly on basic research rather than applied or product development efforts. The submission process is continuous, as the BAA remains open until it is superseded by a future announcement. Proposals may be submitted at any time through Grants.gov, though applicants are strongly encouraged to contact relevant program officers prior to submission to ensure alignment with research priorities. The application typically includes a detailed research proposal, budget justification, and supporting documentation. In some cases, pre-proposals or white papers may be encouraged or required depending on the specific research topic area. Evaluation of proposals is based on scientific merit, relevance to Air Force priorities, and the potential for advancing fundamental knowledge. Additional considerations include the qualifications of the research team and the feasibility of the proposed approach. AFOSR program officers play a significant role in guiding applicants and reviewing submissions. Contact with program officers prior to submission is highly recommended and often critical to success. Because the program operates on a rolling basis, there are no fixed deadlines or recurring cycles. Awards are made throughout the year as proposals are reviewed and selected. This flexible structure allows for continuous engagement with the research community and supports the rapid initiation of promising scientific investigations. Applicants should plan for a multi-year research timeline and anticipate reporting requirements consistent with Department of Defense funding standards.

Contact program officers early to ensure alignment with research priorities; focus on fundamental science not applied development; clearly demonstrate scientific merit and innovation