Research Interests of the United States Air Force Academy (formerly USAFA-BAA-2021)

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is soliciting white papers and proposals from academia and industry for research efforts through a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). The USAFA Dean of Faculty Research Office seeks to develop technologies to meet current and future Air Force research needs, with a focus on a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines. The research is conducted in collaboration with cadets, faculty, and external partners to enhance learning experiences, faculty development, and the overall mission capabilities of the Air Force. Awards under this BAA may be made as research and development contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other types of agreements. This funding opportunity is open-ended, allowing for continuous submission of white papers and proposals. Awards are contingent on funding availability, and USAFA reserves the right to select and fund all, some, or none of the submissions received. Research topics of interest span multiple disciplines and research centers, including but not limited to: Aeronautics: Research in aerodynamics, propulsion, hypersonic vehicle simulation, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Astronautics and Space Systems: Research in orbital mechanics, spacecraft design, and space situational awareness. Biosystems and Life Sciences: Studies in military public health, biological materials, extremophiles, and PTSD tracking. Chemistry and Material Sciences: Development of smart coatings, composite materials, renewable polymers, and high-temperature composites. Computer Science and Cybersecurity: Research in artificial intelligence, cyber defense, machine learning, and big data analytics. Mechanical Engineering and Aircraft Structural Integrity: Studies on corrosion prevention, aircraft component testing, and material fatigue analysis. Laser Optics and Space Physics: Investigations into quantum optics, atmospheric research, and space weather. Civil and Environmental Engineering: Sustainable infrastructure, energy-efficient designs, and military construction techniques. Electrical and Computer Engineering: Research in robotics, renewable energy, circuit development, and RF systems. Social Sciences and Leadership: Human-machine teaming, leadership studies, military psychology, and decision-making analysis. Military and Strategic Studies: Research into future air, space, and cyberspace warfare strategies. Foreign Languages and Digital Humanities: Studies in cultural immersion, language learning assessment, and digital humanities applications. Eligible applicants include academia, industry, small businesses, historically black colleges and universities, and minority institutions. However, federally funded research and development centers, federal agencies, and individuals are ineligible to apply. Proposals must demonstrate a direct benefit to the public, beyond Air Force needs, and should align with USAFA’s broader research priorities. Cost-sharing is permitted but not required. The application process involves submitting an initial white paper, which will be evaluated based on technical merit, alignment with USAFA and Department of Defense research needs, potential for cadet involvement, and the qualifications of the principal investigators. Based on the evaluation, USAFA may request full proposals from selected applicants. The full proposal submission must be completed through Grants.gov and adhere to detailed formatting and content requirements outlined in the BAA. Funding decisions are made through a peer or scientific review process. The estimated total funding available under this BAA is up to $99 million, with awards varying in size and duration based on project scope and funding availability. While there are no set deadlines, USAFA may issue specific calls with due dates throughout the open period of the BAA. Interested applicants should monitor Grants.gov and sam.gov for updates. For additional information or inquiries, applicants are encouraged to contact USAFA's research department representatives listed in the BAA. The announcement outlines detailed requirements for application submission, evaluation criteria, and award administration, including reporting requirements and compliance with federal regulations. Applicants must ensure they are registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and comply with applicable federal laws and regulations.