University Day
ID: FA8651-22-S-0001CALL05Type: Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEPT OF THE AIR FORCEFA8651 AFRL RWKEGLIN AFB, FL, 32542-6810, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

PSC

NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; APPLIED RESEARCH (AC12)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Defense, through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is soliciting proposals from U.S. universities for the "University Day 2025" initiative, aimed at fostering innovative research collaborations in defense-related fields. This opportunity invites proposals for short-term seedling projects specifically in the area of Weapon Autonomy and Control Technology, with a focus on developing intelligent guidance and control algorithms for autonomous systems. The selected projects will receive funding ranging from $75,000 to $100,000, with a total of 5-6 awards anticipated, and proposals are due by May 21, 2025. Interested universities should contact Adam Noffke at afrl.afrl.rwkbaacallsworkflow@us.af.mil for further details and guidance on submission requirements.

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    The document outlines a Statement of Objectives (SOO) for a research task, identified as FA8651-22-S-0001 CALL 05. The initiative spans a 12-month period, with 10 months allocated for research and 2 months for the final report, all classified as unclassified work. The background and purpose sections provide context for the study, while specific objectives and milestones are to be determined. Important milestones include the start of efforts, a final review, a draft of the final report, and the submission of the final report. Deliverables include a scientific report and a final report, both intended for public release, as indicated by Distribution Statement A. The document serves as a formal request for proposals, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in government-funded research projects.
    The document, designated as AFRL-2025-1846, indicates it is approved for public release with unlimited distribution. However, it does not provide specific details or content beyond the distribution statement. As such, it lacks substantive information regarding the topic, purpose, or context of government RFPs, federal grants, or state/local RFPs. The absence of further content suggests that the file serves primarily to announce its availability for public consumption under stipulated distribution guidelines, rather than conveying detailed program information or solicitations. As a result, no analysis or substantive summary can be derived from the document itself, although it is acknowledged as part of the framework for governmental communications.
    The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is soliciting research proposals for two topics in its 2025 University Day Research agenda. The first topic focuses on "Collective Swarming Resulting from Emerging Behavior by Autonomous Biological Agents." This project seeks to explore biological swarming and the role of sensors in facilitating emergent behaviors within swarms. Researchers are encouraged to investigate the correlations between sensor characteristics and swarm dynamics using relevant biological examples, such as mating behavior in male flies. The second topic, "Computationally efficient, intelligent guidance and control algorithms," aims to develop innovative guidance and control strategies for autonomous systems operating in complex environments. The goal is to create efficient algorithms that support decentralized agent collaboration, context-aware reasoning, and flexible operation, while also addressing unique challenges posed by limited communication. Researchers should aim to demonstrate algorithm performance in real-world military or public applications and suggest future development pathways. Both topics reflect the AFRL's commitment to advancing autonomous systems and collective behavior through innovative research methodologies that prioritize efficiency and practical application.
    The AFRL/RW University Day Research Topic 2025 focuses on the development of intelligent guidance and control algorithms for autonomous systems operating in complex environments. The research aims to enhance agent behaviors through computationally efficient methods suitable for multi-agent collaborations, especially in scenarios with limited communication. Key objectives include understanding technical challenges and demonstrating these algorithms in military or public applications. Researchers are encouraged to explore novel approaches, survey existing literature, and document theoretical foundations for these intelligent algorithms, ultimately leading to recommendations for future applications. The project emphasizes the importance of decentralized, resilient solutions that allow multiple agents to coordinate effectively, ensuring performance even in unpredictable conditions.
    The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) targeting U.S. universities for innovative research proposals under "University Day 2025." This initiative aims to establish collaborations with academic institutions that lack existing ties to AFRL/RW, focusing specifically on two research areas: Bioprincipic Systems and Weapon Autonomy and Control Technology. Proposals must be submitted by May 14, 2025, with each project receiving funding between $75K to $100K, and the AFRL expects to award approximately 5-6 grants. Submission processes necessitate rigorous security risk assessments for participants, emphasizing protection from foreign influence. Eligible applicants do not need to share costs or undergo extensive conflict-of-interest evaluations, but must adhere to specific submission formats and guidelines. Proposals will be evaluated on innovation, understanding of technical objectives, and potential to meet governmental needs, with a formal selection process anticipated by June 16, 2025. The document exemplifies the federal government's push to engage academic institutions in defense-related research, underlined by stringent compliance and assessment criteria.
    The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) specifically for U.S. universities under the "University Day 2025" call. This initiative aims to foster innovative research collaborations that do not currently engage with AFRL/RW. Proposals are invited for short-term seedling projects in two topics: Bioprincipic Systems (Research Area 2) and Weapon Autonomy and Control Technology Research (Research Area 17). Applicants must submit their proposals by May 14, 2025, and can expect funding between $75,000 to $100,000 for 5-6 selected projects. Key elements include a security risk review of proposals to address any potential foreign influence, and submission requirements involving documentation related to senior personnel. The proposal evaluation will prioritize technical innovation, understanding of the research scope, and cost realism. This call exemplifies the government's push for collaboration with academic institutions to advance defense-related research and development.
    The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) known as University Day 2025, calling for proposals exclusively from U.S. universities in two research areas: Bioprincipic Systems and Weapon Autonomy and Control Technology Research. The aim is to solicit innovative research from academic institutions without current partnerships with AFRL/RW, offering funding between $75K to $100K for 5-6 selected projects. Proposals must adhere to specific submission guidelines, including a deadline of May 21, 2025, and will be evaluated based on technical merit, cost realism, and risk assessment. A virtual pitch day will be held for selected offerors. Applicants must ensure compliance with security risk reviews and provide detailed documentation concerning foreign influences and research integrity. The selection process emphasizes technical creativity and the potential for future government application of the research outcomes. The announcement highlights the importance of fostering new academic collaborations in defense research while also addressing security concerns within federally funded projects.
    The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the "University Day 2025" call exclusively for U.S. universities. This initiative aims to gather proposals for short-term seedling research projects in designated areas that have not previously collaborated with AFRL/RW. The announcement is structured around a singular research area, specifically focused on weapon autonomy and control technology. Up to 6 proposals will be funded, with anticipated awards ranging from $75,000 to $100,000 each. Proposals are due by May 21, 2025, and must undergo security risk reviews to assess potential foreign influence. Proposal submissions must adhere to specific formatting and content guidelines, including a separate technical and cost proposal. The evaluation is based on innovative approaches and the offeror’s understanding of the technical scope, with a selection process categorizing proposals as "Highly Recommended," "Selectable," or "Not Selectable." It underscores the government's commitment to fostering collaboration with academic institutions while ensuring security measures are in place to protect sensitive technological advancements.
    The document addresses inquiries related to the University Day 2025 proposal solicitation (FA8651-22-S-0001 CALL 05), aimed at U.S. universities. It clarifies key aspects such as budget restrictions, eligibility, proposal formatting, and submission guidelines. Specifically, it notes that budget format details are found in the attachment "FA8651-22-S-0001 CALL 05 UD 2025 FINAL," available on Grants.gov and SAM.gov. The solicitation is officially open for applications, and proposals can be submitted in various formats, including PDFs. Regarding eligibility, non-citizen faculty members can participate, although certain restrictions apply. It confirms that universities are allowed only one proposal submission. Additionally, while a cost proposal template is not provided, relevant information is available in designated sections of the solicitation document. Clarifications regarding the business proposal and hiring of postdoctoral researchers are also addressed, emphasizing the need for fair compensation in proposals. The document serves as a guide for potential applicants, facilitating understanding of requirements and expectations for submitting proposals in response to federal grants under the University Day initiative.
    The document presents a revised Q&A regarding the University Day 2025 grant opportunity, addressing various inquiries from prospective applicants. Key information includes guidance on budget restrictions and proposal formatting—found in the provided attachment on Grants.gov and SAM.gov. While the opportunity is currently open for applications, detailed requirements for submission are highlighted, including the acceptable formats for technical and management proposals. Eligibility for participation is clarified, permitting permanent residents to submit proposals with specific restrictions for non-U.S. citizens. The Q&A further outlines the inclusion of postdoctoral researchers with regard to salary funding from the grant, clarifies the structure for business proposals, and confirms that each university may submit multiple proposals. Overall, this document serves as a critical resource for understanding the guidelines and requirements for engaging with the University Day 2025 funding opportunity.
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