Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program
Open Opportunities (12)
Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.
- GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE PROCESSING AND EXPLOITATION (GeoPEX) Deadline: Sep 30, 2026 · up to $99.9M
- Air Delivered Effects Deadline: Mar 21, 2027 · up to $750M
- US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Indo-Pacific Fundamental Research Collaboration Opportunities Deadline: Aug 30, 2027
- CHEERS Open Period 1 – All Technical Areas Deadline: Sep 30, 2027
- CHEERS Open Period 2 – All Technical Areas Deadline: Sep 30, 2027
- FOUNDATIONS OF TRUSTED SYSTEMS Deadline: Dec 5, 2028 · up to $99.9M
- Coordinating Austere Nodes through Virtualization and Analysis of Streams (CANVAS) Deadline: May 22, 2029 · up to $24.9M
- Research and Development (RAD) Directed Energy (RD) University Assistance Instruments Deadline: Jul 18, 2029 · up to $49M
- Automated Processes for Knowledge Discovery and Information Retrieval Deadline: Sep 9, 2029 · up to $99M
- Air Dominance Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Deadline: Oct 31, 2029 · up to $750M
- Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research (PACER) Deadline: May 10, 2043
- Continuing Human Enabling Enhancing Restoring and Sustaining Deadline: Aug 22, 2044
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Who has received this funding
Organizations awarded under CFDA 12.800 (USAspending.gov).
- Bioindustrial Manufacturing And Design Ecosystem $536,656,761
- National Center For Defense Manufacturing And Machining 2 awards $452,020,976
- Flextech Alliance, Inc. $316,957,199
- Red Rock Biofuels Llc 2 awards $151,643,310
- The Research Foundation For The State University Of New York $122,126,321
- University Of Dayton $61,554,981
- Calgon Carbon Corporation $41,621,494
- Stryten Energy Llc $37,440,610
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To maintain technological superiority in the scientific areas relevant to Air Force needs; to prevent technological surprise to our nation and create it for our adversaries; to maintain a strong research infrastructure composed of Air Force laboratories, industry, and universities; and to complement the national research effort.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Nonprofit Organization
Private/public educational institutions; other private/public nonprofit organizations which are operated primarily for scientific, educational, or similar purposes in the public interest, and commercial concerns.
Beneficiaries
- Nonprofit Organization
Private/public educational institutions; other private/public nonprofit organizations which are operated primarily for scientific, educational, or similar purposes in the public interest, and commercial concerns.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Awards decisions will be based on a competitive selection of proposals resulting from a peer and/or scientific review.
Decision Timeline
- Appeal: From 1 to 15 days
Contact the appropriate regional contracting office.
Program details & compliance
Description
Research that enhances the ability of the Department of the Air Force (DAF) to perform the DAF mission.
Mission Categories
Primary: Research and Development
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Basic research, applied research, advanced research, and development projects that are necessary to the responsibilities of the United States Air Force in the field of research and development; and, either relate to weapon systems and other military needs; or are of potential interest to the Air Force. Funds must be expended in a manner consistent with the statute and its aforementioned purpose.
Required Documentation
Award is subject to: 1) receipt of applicable/acceptable certifications and representations; 2) having a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) (www.sam.gov); 3), the applicant, its principals, proposed subrecipients/principals, not appearing in SAM Exclusions as currently debarred, suspended, or otherwise ineligible; and 4) meeting other requirements specified in the program announcements.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements