INTELLIGENCE PROCESSING AND EXPLOITATION (GeoPEX)
🏛 Air Force -- Research Lab (DOD-AFRL)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 20, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations and researchers conducting applied research and development in geospatial intelligence processing and exploitation. Eligible applicants typically include universities, research institutions, small businesses, and established contractors with relevant technical expertise in geospatial data analysis, remote sensing, imagery intelligence (IMINT), or related defense technologies. Geographic scope is primarily U.S.-based entities, though foreign entities may participate under specific restrictions. Supported activities include research, development, testing, and demonstration of geospatial processing systems, analytical methods, software tools, and exploitation capabilities that advance Air Force intelligence operations and decision-making.
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Program description
PLEASE NOTE:
No submissions through Grants.gov will be accepted. All submissions must follow SAM.gov instructions.
For full opportunity announcement reference the SAM.gov link.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement (Geospatial Information)
- Project narrative and technical approach (typically 10-20 pages)
- Detailed budget and budget justification
- Cost and pricing data (for contractors)
- Organizational capability statement or qualifications summary
- Resumes of key personnel
- Letters of support from collaborators or Air Force partners
- Facility security clearance documentation (if applicable)
- Data management and security plan
- Explicit cost share documentation (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 David Fiorini Grantor
- 📧 AFRL.RIKA.SUPPORT@US.AF.MIL
- 📞 315-795-6645
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
-
$683,736,669
-
$536,656,761
-
$343,216,877
-
$144,687,361
-
$139,818,002
-
$76,955,949
-
$61,554,981
-
$49,606,438
-
$41,621,494
-
$37,440,610
Top States by Funding
- CA 17 awards $130.8M
- OH 4 awards $98.2M
- 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 GeoPEX funding?
Typically universities, nonprofit research institutions, small businesses (including SBCs and HUBZone firms), and established defense contractors with relevant technical capabilities can apply. Individual researchers and graduate students may apply through their institutions.
What is the typical funding range for GeoPEX awards?
Air Force research grants under this program type typically range from $100,000 to $1 million or more depending on project scope, with multi-year funding periods common.
What types of activities and research are supported?
Funded projects focus on geospatial intelligence processing, exploitation methods, sensor data analysis, automated feature extraction, machine learning for imagery analysis, data fusion, and systems that enhance Air Force collection and analytical capabilities.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a highly competitive federal research program. Strong proposals typically include novel technical approaches, demonstrated capability, experienced personnel, realistic budgets, and clear transition pathways to Air Force operational use.
What are typical application deadlines and funding cycles?
This program shows a September 2026 deadline. Air Force research programs typically have annual or semi-annual solicitation cycles with 6-12 month award turnaround times after proposal submission.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your research directly to Air Force intelligence priorities and demonstrate how your work will improve operational geospatial analysis capabilities or reduce exploitation timelines.
- Include letters of support or collaboration agreements from Air Force labs, major defense contractors, or operational units if possible to strengthen transition potential.
- Provide detailed technical approach with clear milestones and deliverables; include data management and security plans appropriate for sensitive intelligence work.
- Address scalability and transition strategy explicitly—reviewers want to understand how prototype work leads to operational deployment or integration.
- Consider partnering with established defense contractors or research organizations with existing government relationships, as this can increase credibility and reduce perceived risk to reviewers.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications fail because they focus on pure academic research without clear Air Force operational relevance or transition potential. Weak proposals also underestimate technical complexity, fail to address cybersecurity and data handling requirements, or propose work that duplicates existing Air Force or contractor capabilities without clear advantage.
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