ENERGY TECHNOLOGY EXPERIMENTATION RESEARCH ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUCEMENT (DETER ARA)
🏛 AFRL Kirtland AFB
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions, contractors, and educational organizations pursuing advanced research in directed energy technologies. Eligible applicants typically include universities, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), defense contractors, small businesses, and other organizations with technical capacity in physics, engineering, and related fields. The program supports exploratory and experimental research leading to innovative directed energy systems and concepts. Geographic scope is nationwide, and the focus is on fundamental and applied research that advances U.S. military capabilities in directed energy weapons, sensing, and related technologies. Foreign nationals may have restrictions on participation depending on technology classification levels.
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Program description
For all details and Industry User Guide:
https://beta.sam.gov/opp/22eb214b23bc40f19f0ebdb5566c9f31/view?keywords=DETER&sort=-relevance&index=opp&is_active=true&page=1
Forr information on Virtual Industry Days, including registration forms:
https://beta.sam.gov/opp/22eb214b23bc40f19f0ebdb5566c9f31/view?keywords=DETER&sort=-relevance&index=opp&is_active=true&page=1
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- AF Form 52 (Application for Federal Assistance) or SF-424 (General Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative/technical proposal (typically 15–25 pages) describing research objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes
- Detailed budget and budget justification (SF-424A or equivalent)
- Resumes or biographical sketches of key project personnel
- Facilities and equipment information describing lab capabilities and infrastructure
- Letters of commitment or subcontract agreements (if applicable)
- Conflict of interest disclosures
- Data management plan (if applicable)
- Cost sharing or matching fund documentation (if required)
Program contact
- 👤 LISA R PENDRAGON Grantor
- 📧 AFRL.DETER.ARA@us.af.mil
- 📞 5058537656
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
-
$609,510,961
-
$536,656,761
-
$343,216,877
-
$122,126,321
-
$76,955,949
-
$74,687,361
-
$61,554,981
-
$49,791,410
-
$41,621,494
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$37,440,610
Top States by Funding
- CA 17 awards $130.8M
- OH 3 awards $77.2M
- MA 5 awards $51.6M
- NY 4 awards $31.4M
- 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 DETER ARA?
Eligible applicants include universities, colleges, FFRDCs, small businesses (including SDBEs and 8(a) firms), large defense contractors, and other research organizations. Specific eligibility may depend on facility clearances and technology access requirements.
What types of research does this grant support?
The program funds exploratory and experimental research in directed energy technologies, including but not limited to high-energy lasers, high-power microwave systems, particle beams, and related sensing and control technologies. Both fundamental research and applied development work may be eligible.
Are there citizenship or security clearance requirements?
Depending on the specific research topic and technology classification, U.S. citizenship or security clearance requirements may apply. Check the specific solicitation for restrictions on foreign national participation.
What is the typical funding level and project duration?
Advanced research announcements typically fund projects ranging from $100,000 to several million dollars, with project periods of 1-3 years. Specific amounts vary by research topic and agency priorities.
How competitive is this opportunity?
DOD research grants are highly competitive. Successful proposals typically demonstrate technical innovation, clear research methodology, team expertise, and alignment with military technology priorities. Previous publications and related preliminary data strengthen applications significantly.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your research approach directly with stated AFRL priorities and directed energy technology focus areas; review recent AFRL publications and technology roadmaps to demonstrate understanding of current technical challenges and gaps.
- Emphasize technical innovation and how your approach differs from or improves upon existing methodologies; include preliminary data, feasibility studies, or proof-of-concept results to reduce perceived risk.
- Clearly articulate the pathway from research outcomes to practical military application; explain how your work supports AFRL's mission in developing next-generation directed energy capabilities.
- Assemble a team with demonstrated expertise in relevant technical areas and include resumes highlighting prior DOD-funded work, peer-reviewed publications, and subject matter authority.
- Prepare a detailed, realistic budget with justification for all costs; DOD reviewers expect rigorous cost analysis and clearly allocated resources tied to specific research tasks and milestones.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications fail because they focus on theoretical research without clearly explaining how results translate to military technology or operational capability. Proposals are also often rejected when they lack sufficient preliminary data or feasibility evidence, or when the research plan is vague about technical approach, milestones, and deliverables. Weak team qualifications—particularly if key personnel lack prior DOD experience or relevant peer-reviewed publications—significantly reduce competitiveness.
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