AFRL/AFOSR Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 University Center for High-Speed Aerothermoelasticity
🏛 Air Force Office of Scientific Research
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 29, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. universities establishing a multidisciplinary research center on high-speed aerothermoelasticity. Principal investigators must be employed full-time in regular, non-contractor positions at U.S. institutions of higher education. Teams can include up to ten investigators bridging fluid dynamics, thermal transport, and structural mechanics. Researchers at Federally Funded Research and Development Centers and Department of the Air Force laboratories are not eligible.
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Program description
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research, in partnership with the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) Air Warfare Directorate (RA), intends to provide support for a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers at U.S. universities to establish a university-led Center for High-Speed Aerothermoelasticity. This multidisciplinary, basic research initiative focuses on investigating complex problem sets involving the fundamental physics at the intersection of high-speed fluid mechanics, thermal transport, and structural sciences. By supporting a balanced, integrated approach across computational simulation, theoretical modeling, and ground experimentation in these three areas, the Center will tackle critical aerothermoelasticity challenges for the Air Force mission and related challenges in science and engineering. This opportunity is a chance to work closely with the Air Force Research Lab Air Warfare Directorate (AFRL/RA) on computational simulations and ground and flight experiments in the field of high-speed aerothermoelasticity.
We seek unclassified proposals from a highly collaborative, qualified and responsible university-led team that bridges the traditional silos of fluid dynamics, thermal transport, and structural mechanics. The program requires an interdisciplinary roster of up to ten investigators (including computational and experimental leads) and strongly encourages partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), in alignment with Executive Order 14283. Beyond technical discovery, the Center acts as a vital connection between academia and DoW scientists at facilities such as Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC). This ensures that breakthrough academic research translates into tangible capabilities for the Department of the Air Force (DAF) and access to a well-trained future aerospace workforce. It is important that your proposal shows strength in as many of the evaluation areas as practical for maximum competitiveness.
The award shall be made to U.S. institutions of higher education, where the principal investigator is employed on a full-time basis and holds a regular, non-contractor position. Researchers working at the Federally Funded Research and Development Centers and DoW Laboratories are not eligible for this competition.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Technical Proposal
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Approval/Certification
- Biographical sketches of key personnel
- Letters of support or commitment from partner institutions
Program contact
- 👤 Daniel P Smith Procurement Analyst
- 📧 aerothermodynamics@us.af.mil
- 📞 703-588-8494
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
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$702,109,658
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$536,656,761
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$348,044,513
-
$142,187,360
-
$139,955,119
-
$76,955,949
-
$61,554,981
-
$49,606,438
-
$41,621,494
-
$41,026,997
Top States by Funding
- CA 17 awards $132.7M
- OH 4 awards $99.2M
- MA 6 awards $63.2M
- TX 4 awards $32.0M
- PA 4 awards $31.2M
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 can serve as Principal Investigator?
The PI must hold a full-time regular position at a U.S. institution of higher education. Contractors and researchers at FFRDCs or DoD labs are ineligible.
Can our team include industry partners?
The grant requires a university-led team. The description does not explicitly address industry involvement, so contact program officers for clarification.
What is the typical award amount?
Awards range from $8.25M to $13.75M. The total funding pool is $13.75M, suggesting potentially one large award.
Is there a deadline to apply?
Yes, the fixed deadline is April 2, 2027. There is no rolling acceptance mentioned.
Are HBCU partnerships required?
HBCUs are strongly encouraged but not required, in alignment with Executive Order 14283.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Assemble a truly interdisciplinary team with computational leads, theoreticians, and experimentalists covering fluid dynamics, thermal transport, and structures.
- Show clear pathways to translate research into Air Force capabilities. Explain how your work addresses DoW mission needs.
- Consider including an HBCU as a formal partner to strengthen competitiveness and meet federal priorities.
- Plan for collaboration with AFRL/RA, Wright-Patterson AFB, or AEDC. Describe concrete mechanisms for knowledge transfer.
- Demonstrate how your center develops the next generation of aerospace workforce through student training and mentorship.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Siloed proposals that treat fluid dynamics, thermal transport, or structures separately rather than as integrated challenges. Weak or absent connections to Air Force mission needs and real-world DoW applications. Insufficient detail on team structure, roles, and how investigators will collaborate across disciplines.
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