United States Army Research Institute For The Behavioral And Social Sciences (Ari) Broad Agency Announcement For Basic, Applied, And Advanced Scientific Research

The United States Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is the Army’s principal organization for research, development, and analysis aimed at improving Army readiness and performance through advancements in behavioral and social sciences. ARI's Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0010 provides funding for basic, applied, and advanced scientific research that addresses critical personnel, organizational, and leader development challenges relevant to Army effectiveness and modernization. This announcement covers the fiscal years 2023 through 2028, with the opportunity open from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2028, and is managed by the U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground, Research Triangle Park Division. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support innovative research in a wide array of behavioral and social science domains directly related to the Army’s operational needs. Key focus areas include: measurement science for individuals and teams; organizational dynamics; leadership and context in military environments; and methods for learning and development across Army careers. ARI’s research priorities span basic research that lays theoretical groundwork, applied research to create and refine tools or interventions, and advanced technology development to prototype and test new approaches in field or simulated settings. The scope also covers holistic personnel assessment and talent management, leader development, team assignment and performance, and the development of technological fluency among soldiers and leaders. Funding can be awarded in several forms, including procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, technology investment agreements (TIAs), or other transaction agreements (OTAs). The type of award instrument is determined by the nature of the proposed research and regulatory requirements. While there is generally no cost-sharing requirement, applicants proposing to use OTAs or TIAs may encounter expectations for cost share, especially for projects involving significant commercial applications. No profit or fee is allowed on assistance instruments such as grants, cooperative agreements, or TIAs. Eligible applicants include domestic and foreign institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations, provided they are not on the U.S. State Department List of Countries that Support Terrorism. Government laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and U.S. Service Academies cannot apply as prime recipients but may participate as collaborators with funding routed directly from ARI. All applicants must have the management, technical, and financial capability to perform the proposed research and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to receiving an award. The submission process follows a recommended three-step sequence: (1) prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the ARI Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) or relevant ARI Manager to discuss their concept; (2) submit a white paper outlining the research idea for feedback; and (3) if encouraged, submit a full proposal. White papers are not mandatory but are strongly advised to minimize applicant effort for projects with a low likelihood of funding. Full proposals must be comprehensive and include all required elements, such as technical and cost volumes, personnel qualifications, and compliance with specific submission formats. Proposals for grants and cooperative agreements must be submitted via Grants.gov, while proposals for contracts, TIAs, or OTAs may be submitted via email or Grants.gov. Evaluation of proposals is based primarily on scientific and technical merit, potential contribution to ARI’s mission, qualifications and capabilities of personnel and institutions, and the appropriateness and realism of the requested funding. ARI may solicit external scientific peer reviews and retains the discretion to select proposals that best align with Army priorities. Successful applicants will be contacted by a Government Contract/Grant Specialist to complete the award process, which may include the submission of additional representations, certifications, or documentation. Administrative requirements, national policy mandates, and reporting obligations must be met for all awards. For questions or submission guidance, applicants can contact the ARI TPOC or the designated ARI program manager listed in the solicitation. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Applicants are encouraged to consult ARI Managers for guidance and feedback before submitting.