Center for Foundational Academic Research and Strategic Innovation for the Defense Enterprise (C-FARSIDE)
🏛 Washington Headquarters Services
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for a single, designated awardee: Virginia Tech Applied Research Cooperation (VT-ARC). This is a cooperative agreement to establish a center bridging foundational academic research with strategic defense innovation.
VT-ARC must facilitate transdisciplinary collaborations among scholars, defense strategists, and industry partners. The center will conduct technology scouting, support concept incubation, enable research partnerships, and accelerate innovation pathways.
DoD labs and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) cannot receive direct awards or subcontract funds. Industry and international partners may collaborate but cannot be primary awardees.
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Program description
Bridging foundational academic research and strategic innovation for the Defense enterprise, the Center for Foundational Academic Research and Strategic Innovation for the Defense Enterprise (C-FARSIDE) will facilitate deep transdisciplinary collaborations among top-tier scholars, informed by defense strategists, that will transform rigorous and blue-sky research into breakthrough national security solutions and build a deep and lasting relationship between academia, foundations, international partners, industry and venture capital, and the DoW.
The awardee will support technology scouting and transition, as well as collaboration activities that accelerate innovation and improve mission effectiveness. The awardee will also conduct and enable transdisciplinary research, bridging academic disciplines and industry and societal stakeholders to address complex, real-world challenges. Activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Conduct technology scouting and market research (as authorized) to maintain awareness of industry trends, emerging capabilities, and innovation opportunities; provide summaries and recommendations.
- Support concept incubation, prototyping pathways, pilot planning, and technology transition activities, including transition criteria and adoption planning.
- Support industry/university/government engagement, collaboration forums, and coordination activities, as directed, including workforce development support activities where applicable.
- Investigate new and transdisciplinary approaches to basic and exploratory research to transform how fundamental research and partnerships can drive toward more assured outcomes and impact.
- Develop and form university and industry research teams and consortia consisting of multiple, integrated disciplines and capabilities focused upon problem-based research and outcomes (through a Problem-based Basic Research Consortium).
- Drive collaboration between university researchers and Service laboratory researchers and Combatant Commands, while also creating opportunities for accelerating the development and advancement of basic and higher TRL research (through a Translational Research Initiative for Academia and Defense Partnership).
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 Federal Application for Grants and Cooperative Agreements
- Project Narrative/Technical Proposal
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity Documentation
- Consortium/Partnership Letters of Commitment
- Organizational Chart and Key Personnel CVs
- Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Program contact
- 👤 Jonathan Bertsch Grantor
- 📧 jonathan.e.bertsch.civ@mail.mil
- 📞 7035453559
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.630 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$142,583,696
-
$129,332,838
-
$118,290,185
-
$111,562,198
-
$88,016,412
-
$74,437,752
-
$72,572,588
-
$48,526,095
-
$44,471,403
-
$37,826,791
Top States by Funding
- TX 10 awards $234.0M
- CT 10 awards $215.0M
- CA 9 awards $190.1M
- PA 5 awards $127.9M
- AZ 6 awards $53.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who is eligible for this grant?
Only Virginia Tech Applied Research Cooperation. This is a single-awardee cooperative agreement, not open to other institutions.
What happens if my organization isn't VT-ARC?
You cannot apply directly. VT-ARC is the sole eligible recipient. You may collaborate as a subcontractor if VT-ARC includes you.
What activities are funded?
Technology scouting, concept incubation, prototyping, transdisciplinary research, and collaboration forums bridging academia, industry, and defense.
What's the funding level?
Awards range from $50 million to $150 million. This is a major center funding opportunity.
Can DoD labs or FFRDCs participate?
No. They cannot receive direct funding or subcontract awards under this agreement.
💡 Tips for applicants
- This is a single-awardee opportunity. If you're not VT-ARC, explore collaboration rather than direct application.
- Focus proposals on transdisciplinary integration—the center must bridge multiple academic disciplines and defense stakeholders.
- Emphasize technology transition pathways from basic research to real defense applications.
- Build a strong consortium plan with universities, industry, and labs as partners (not subcontractors to FFRDCs).
- Document your capacity to conduct blue-sky research while maintaining operational focus on defense priorities.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying as a non-VT-ARC institution when only Virginia Tech Applied Research Cooperation is eligible. Proposing FFRC or DoD lab direct funding when these entities are explicitly prohibited. Treating this as a traditional research grant rather than a center-building cooperative agreement requiring substantial administrative and collaborative infrastructure.
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