UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY Broad Agency Announcement

The United States Military Academy (USMA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is a long-term research funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground on behalf of West Point. The program is designed to support the Academy’s mission of advancing education, faculty development, and research that addresses critical challenges facing the Army and the nation. The BAA facilitates both basic and applied research, encouraging innovation that contributes to improved military capabilities and broader scientific advancement. The announcement is active over a multi-year period and invites proposals on a rolling basis across a wide array of research domains. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to solicit cutting-edge research proposals that align with USMA’s strategic research campaigns. These campaigns span numerous disciplines including ballistics and weapons systems, infrastructure resilience, energy sustainability, materials science, unmanned systems, human performance, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum science, life sciences, social sciences, and counterterrorism. The scope is intentionally broad, allowing applicants to propose novel ideas that may not be explicitly listed but still contribute to advancing Army capabilities. The emphasis is on innovative, high-impact research that can produce meaningful advancements in defense-related technologies and knowledge. Funding under this BAA may be awarded through multiple mechanisms, including grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, technology investment agreements, and other transaction agreements. The specific instrument used depends on the nature of the proposed work and the level of government involvement required. Notably, no fixed funding amount or number of awards is specified, as allocations depend on government priorities and available appropriations. While cost sharing is generally not required, it may apply in certain cases such as technology investment agreements or prototype-focused awards. Funds may not be used to reimburse proposal preparation costs, and applicants must adhere to federal regulations governing allowable expenses. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, encompassing institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, foreign entities, and for-profit businesses of all sizes. The program encourages collaboration and welcomes participation from diverse organizations, including minority-serving institutions. Proposals must focus on advancing scientific knowledge or technological capability, and projects centered solely on product development without research innovation are not considered appropriate for funding under this announcement. The submission process is structured but flexible. Applicants are strongly encouraged to first submit a whitepaper outlining their proposed research concept. This preliminary step allows the government to assess relevance and scientific merit before inviting a full proposal, although submission of a whitepaper is not mandatory. Full proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov and include detailed technical and cost components, as well as required federal forms. Applicants must also maintain an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) and ensure compliance with all administrative requirements. Applications are evaluated based on scientific merit, relevance to Army needs, and the qualifications of the research team. The review process involves technical evaluation by subject matter experts and selection by authorized government officials. Only contracting or grants officers have the authority to obligate federal funds. Awards are made on a competitive basis, and the government reserves the right to fund all, some, or none of the proposals received. Successful applicants may engage in collaborative research with USMA centers and institutes, contributing to both academic advancement and operational military improvements. The timeline for this BAA is unique in that it operates as a continuously open announcement from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2027. Proposals may be submitted at any time during this period, and there are no fixed deadlines. This rolling structure allows for ongoing engagement with researchers and provides flexibility for applicants to align submissions with their project readiness. Administrative inquiries are directed to a designated government contact, while technical questions are handled by topic-specific points of contact listed throughout the announcement.

Contact the Technical Point of Contact before submitting; ensure strong alignment with Army research priorities; emphasize innovation and scientific merit