Air Force Basic Research Sciences Conference and Workshop Support
🏛 Air Force Office of Scientific Research
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations hosting conferences or workshops in Air Force research areas. IHEs of all types qualify. Nonprofit organizations must be described in 2 CFR 200.1 or be foreign entities operated for scientific, educational, or charitable purposes. For-profit organizations are not eligible. Workshops and conferences must bring experts together to discuss recent research findings or expose researchers and advanced graduate students to new research techniques aligned with AFOSR research interests.
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Program description
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research manages the basic research investment for the Department of the Air Force. Conferences and workshops constitute key forums for research and technology interchange. We provide partial support for conferences and workshops as defined in the DoW Joint Travel Regulations in special areas of science that bring experts together to discuss recent research or educational findings, or to expose other researchers or advanced graduate students to new research and educational techniques in our areas of research interest. Our research interests are described in the most recent version of our general Broad Agency Announcement titled, “Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research” posted on Grants.gov.
We can only consider funding requests from U.S. institutions of higher education (IHE) or nonprofit organizations as described in 2 CFR 200.1, including foreign public entities and foreign organizations operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest. We do not award grants to organizations with a for-profit organization type.
Our support for a workshop or conference is not an endorsement of any organization.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Proposal narrative describing event, objectives, and alignment with AFOSR interests
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational documentation (nonprofit status or IHE verification)
- Conference or workshop agenda and participant list or recruitment plan
Program contact
- 👤 Jennifer Brown Grantor
- 📧 afosr.baa@us.af.mil
- 📞 703-588-1777
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
-
$702,109,658
-
$536,656,761
-
$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 apply for this funding?
U.S. institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations (as defined in 2 CFR 200.1) can apply. Foreign public entities and foreign organizations operated for scientific, educational, or charitable purposes are also eligible. For-profit organizations cannot apply.
What types of events can receive funding?
Conferences and workshops that bring experts together to discuss recent research findings or expose researchers and graduate students to new research techniques qualify. Events must align with AFOSR's published research interests.
Where can I find AFOSR's research interests?
AFOSR publishes a "Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research" document on Grants.gov. Consult this to ensure your event fits their priorities.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $1 to $2,000,000. AFOSR provides partial support for conference and workshop costs.
Is there a deadline?
The deadline is fixed at August 31, 2029. Check Grants.gov for specific details and any submission requirements.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your conference or workshop topics directly with AFOSR research interests listed in their Broad Agency Announcement on Grants.gov before proposing.
- Clearly demonstrate how the event will facilitate research interchange among experts and expose researchers to new techniques.
- Use per diem rates and travel regulations from DoD Joint Travel Regulations to calculate realistic costs.
- Include evidence that your organization can successfully manage and execute the proposed event (past conference experience, letters of support from participants).
- Request only partial funding for the event; show additional funding sources or organizational cost-sharing to strengthen your proposal.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing conferences or workshops outside AFOSR's stated research interests. Submitting vague proposals that don't clearly connect the event to advancing Air Force research priorities. Requesting full funding for an event instead of demonstrating cost-sharing from other sources.
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