OF TRUSTED SYSTEMS
Can you apply?
This grant is for research organizations, educational institutions, and contractors working on fundamental research related to trusted systems and cybersecurity. The Air Force Research Laboratory funds basic and applied research that advances the technological foundations of trustworthy computing systems, including work on verification, formal methods, secure hardware, and related areas. Eligible applicants typically include universities, nonprofit research organizations, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), and for-profit contractors. Research may be conducted at the applicant's facilities or through collaborative arrangements. The program supports projects across the United States that align with Air Force priorities in AI safety, cybersecurity, and resilient systems.
Program description
https://sam.gov/opp/6a5d1f379ee34a0395eeb98e220c730c/view
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and SF-424 (R&R) forms
- Project Narrative/Technical Proposal (typically 15-25 pages)
- Budget Justification and Budget Narrative
- Current and Pending Support statement
- Organizational Capability Statement
- Key Personnel Biographical Sketches (e.g., NSF format)
- Facilities and Equipment Description
- Letters of Commitment from collaborators (if applicable)
- Conflict of Interest Disclosure
- Data Management Plan or Research Data Sharing Plan
Program contact
- 👤 Kenneth R Gigliotti Grantor
- 📧 AFRL.RIKA.Support@us.af.mil
- 📞 315-330-4234
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.800 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$536,656,761
-
$402,229,566
-
$316,957,199
-
$122,126,321
-
$76,955,949
-
$74,687,361
-
$61,554,981
-
$49,791,410
-
$41,621,494
-
$37,440,610
Top States by Funding
- CA 16 awards $123.7M
- OH 3 awards $77.2M
- MA 5 awards $47.6M
- NY 4 awards $31.3M
- TX 4 awards $30.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.800). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $874,454,904 | |
| 2025 | $652,065,758 | |
| 2026 est. | $700,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Universities, research institutions, nonprofit research organizations, FFRDCs, and for-profit contractors are eligible. Applicants must have relevant research capacity and typically need to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).
What types of research activities are supported?
The program funds fundamental and applied research on trusted systems, including formal verification, secure computing architectures, AI safety, cybersecurity foundations, and resilience. Both theoretical and experimental work is considered.
What is the typical funding range and project duration?
Air Force research grants vary widely in scope and budget. Project periods typically range from 1-3 years for initial phases, with possibilities for extension based on progress and performance.
How competitive is this grant program?
This is a highly competitive federal research grant. The Air Force receives thousands of proposals annually. Success typically requires strong technical merit, clear alignment with Air Force research priorities, and demonstrated institutional research capacity.
What should I include in my proposal narrative?
Include a clear statement of research objectives, technical approach, expected outcomes and deliverables, timeline, budget justification, key personnel qualifications, and explanation of how the work advances Air Force interests in trusted systems and national security.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your research explicitly with Air Force Research Laboratory priorities and the "Trusted Systems" focus area. Review recent Air Force research strategies and published research interests before drafting your proposal.
- Demonstrate institutional research capacity through past accomplishments, relevant facilities, and a strong team with proven experience in cybersecurity, formal methods, or related domains.
- Be specific and quantifiable about research outcomes. Vague promises of "advancing security" will not be competitive. Propose measurable milestones, prototypes, publications, or datasets that demonstrate progress.
- Budget carefully and justify all costs. Federal reviewers scrutinize budget narratives. Connect every expense directly to research activities and explain why each resource is necessary.
- Coordinate with other researchers early if your work is interdisciplinary. Air Force values proposals that bring together expertise in cryptography, hardware security, software verification, and other complementary areas.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many proposals fail because they lack clear alignment with Air Force priorities or fail to articulate how the research will benefit national defense and security. Weak proposals also underestimate the level of technical detail required—reviewers expect rigorous methodology, not just conceptual ideas. Finally, many applicants ignore budget and administrative requirements, resulting in rejection before technical review.
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