U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Broad Agency Announcement for Basic Research (Fiscal Year 2026)

The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for its Foundational Science Research Unit (FSRU). This grant supports basic research in behavioral and social sciences to enhance the Army’s ability to acquire, develop, employ, and retain professional Soldiers. The focus is on high-risk, high-reward foundational research that advances theories, methods, and models to create innovative concepts for Army personnel readiness. This opportunity seeks novel, multidisciplinary research that can stimulate new directions in behavioral science, but does not support applied research projects, human factors studies, or behavioral health research. The program solicits proposals in four strategic research areas: (1) Measurement of Individuals and Collectives, focusing on advanced psychometric theory for assessing human behavior; (2) Teams and Small Groups, studying coordination, adaptation, and performance optimization in teams; (3) Organizations and Systems, examining multilevel theories and organizational processes; and (4) Formal and Informal Learning and Development, exploring holistic learning and development models for Soldiers and teams. The Army encourages collaboration among universities, nonprofits, and commercial organizations to ensure a broad and innovative approach. The funding opportunity is structured into three proposal categories: Standard Basic Research Proposals, Early Career Proposals (for researchers within five years of earning a Ph.D.), and Short-Term Innovative Research (STIR) Proposals. Standard proposals typically receive around $750,000 over three years, while Early Career Proposals are expected to start with approximately $125,000 in the first year. STIR awards are designed for rapid, short-term investigations with budgets capped at $60,000 for one year. Eligibility is open to higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and commercial entities. Government laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and U.S. Service Academies cannot participate as prime recipients. There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements for this funding opportunity. Awardees must comply with all applicable federal policies, including those related to human subjects research and organizational transparency. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a white paper before submitting a full proposal. The deadline for white paper submission is March 9, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST, while full proposals must be received by July 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM EDT. Questions about white papers must be submitted by February 23, 2025, and questions about proposals by June 15, 2025. Awards are expected to be made between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. Submissions must be made through Grants.gov. Award decisions will be based on scientific and technical merit, potential impact on the Army’s research mission, qualifications of the research team, and cost considerations. The FOA specifies extensive reporting requirements for awardees, including quarterly progress reports, site visits, and final technical reports. All inquiries should be directed to Dr. Kimberly Wingert for technical questions and Ms. Wilveria Sanders for administrative matters.