Air Dominance Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

The Air Dominance Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Munitions Directorate under the U.S. Department of Defense. AFRL serves as the primary research and development organization for advancing technologies that support air, space, and cyberspace superiority. This BAA is part of the Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program and is designed to promote scientific discovery and technological innovation that strengthens national defense capabilities, particularly in the area of air-delivered effects and advanced munitions systems. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to solicit innovative research concepts across a wide spectrum of science and technology disciplines that contribute to air dominance. The BAA supports basic research (6.1), applied research (6.2), and advanced technology development (6.3). Research topics span multiple technical domains including autonomous systems, advanced sensors, weapon systems, modeling and simulation, energetics, and materials science. The program encourages novel, high-impact ideas grounded in credible scientific principles, with an emphasis on advancing the state of the art rather than incremental improvements. Funding under this BAA is flexible and may be awarded through various instruments, including contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transaction agreements, depending on the nature of the proposed work. While the total cumulative funding is anticipated to not exceed 750,000,000 dollars, individual awards may vary significantly, with a ceiling up to 750,000,000 dollars. There is no required cost sharing or matching, although voluntary cost sharing is permitted. Allowable uses of funds include research activities, personnel, reporting, and development of deliverables such as prototypes, technical reports, and data products. Specific funding allocations and restrictions are determined at the individual award or call level. Eligibility for this opportunity is unrestricted, meaning that a wide range of entities may apply, including private industry, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses. Foreign entities may participate but are subject to additional review procedures. Certain projects may require compliance with export control regulations, security clearances, or U.S. citizenship requirements for personnel accessing sensitive facilities or data. Offerors are encouraged to engage with technical points of contact prior to submission to ensure alignment with AFRL priorities. The application process follows a two-step submission model. Initially, applicants must submit a white paper of no more than five pages outlining the proposed concept, technical approach, deliverables, and estimated cost. White papers may be submitted at any time during the open period of the BAA. If the white paper is favorably evaluated, the applicant may be invited to submit a full technical and cost proposal. Periodically, the government may also issue specific Calls under the BAA requesting proposals for targeted research areas, each with its own submission requirements and deadlines. Evaluation of submissions is based primarily on technical merit, innovation, feasibility, and potential contribution to AFRL mission objectives. Secondary considerations include cost realism and alignment of the proposed schedule with technical goals. Proposals are categorized as highly recommended, selectable, or not selectable, and funding decisions depend on both evaluation outcomes and available resources. Deliverables typically include periodic reports, final reports, and potentially hardware or software outputs. The BAA was posted on April 14, 2025, and remains open through October 31, 2029, with an archive date of November 30, 2029. Because white papers can be submitted on a rolling basis and calls may be issued throughout the lifecycle of the announcement, this opportunity functions as a continuous pipeline for innovation. Applicants should monitor Grants.gov and SAM.gov for updates, amendments, or new calls. Questions can be directed to designated technical points of contact or contracting officers, including Jane Ellison, who serves as a listed grantor contact.

Focus on clearly demonstrating technical innovation feasibility and alignment with AFRL research priorities; engage with technical POCs before submission to improve alignment