Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), operating within the Air Force Research Laboratory, manages the basic research investments of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Through this broad agency announcement, AFOSR outlines the U.S. Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program, which supports fundamental scientific and engineering research aimed at enabling revolutionary breakthroughs. AFOSR funds research conducted in academic institutions, industry, and laboratories, seeking to build a portfolio of projects that enhance future defense capabilities and expand technological leadership. The program is focused exclusively on fundamental research, with applied or classified work outside its intended scope. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support proposals that advance scientific understanding in areas aligned with Air Force and Space Force needs. Research areas are organized under two main scientific branches: Engineering and Information Sciences, and Physical and Biological Sciences. Within these branches, the program addresses topics such as fluid dynamics, propulsion, materials science, information networks, cybersecurity, complex systems, chemistry, and biological sciences. The overarching aim is to foster discoveries that are militarily significant and potentially valuable to broader U.S. industries, ensuring that advancements can transition to defense applications over time. Funding is expected to total approximately $200 million annually, subject to congressional appropriations and availability of funds. Awards typically range between $100,000 and $300,000 per year, generally lasting three years, with a maximum duration of five years. AFOSR will not consider requests exceeding $10 million. Awards may take the form of grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, technology investment agreements, or other transaction authorities. Funding decisions are based on programmatic interest, merit, and availability of funds, with AFOSR reserving the right to make no awards. Eligibility is broad and includes institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, small businesses, and government-affiliated research entities. International organizations may also participate, though specific security and export control restrictions may apply. There is no stated requirement for matching funds. Proposals must comply with the eligibility criteria and instructions in the announcement. Applicants should note that proposals must be unclassified and free of proprietary information to be considered under this funding mechanism. The submission process is continuous and remains open until this announcement is superseded. Proposals are reviewed and evaluated as they are received, rather than against a single deadline. Applicants may submit full proposals at any time, although topic-specific solicitations may occasionally specify preferred submission dates. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov in accordance with federal requirements, including registration in SAM.gov, possession of a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and compliance with federal administrative standards. Evaluation is based on scientific merit, potential for Air Force or Space Force relevance, and the ability of the proposed research to advance fundamental science. Reviewers assess originality, potential impact, and the qualifications of the principal investigator and team. AFOSR emphasizes the importance of contacting program officers in advance to ensure alignment with program interests. Applicants are encouraged to submit pre-proposals or white papers to discuss scope, cost, and relevance before preparing full submissions. The announcement remains active until replaced and does not provide a fixed closing date, functioning instead as an open solicitation for fundamental research proposals. Prospective applicants should monitor AFOSR communications for updates and topic-specific calls. Key contacts for administrative and procedural questions are Jennifer Brown and Daniel Smith, both Procurement Analysts at AFOSR, available via the central program email address afosr.baa@us.af.mil. Program-specific scientific inquiries should be directed to the listed program officers within each research area.