University Day
ID: 358673Type: Posted
Overview

Buyer

Munitions Directorate (DOD-AFRL-RW)

Award Range

$75K - $100K

Eligible Applicants

Private Institutions of Higher Education

Funding Category

Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Funding Instrument

Grant

Opportunity Category

Discretionary

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Yes
Timeline
    Description

    The Munitions Directorate of the Department of Defense is inviting U.S. universities to submit proposals for the "University Day" federal grant, aimed at fostering innovative research in two key areas: Bioprincipic Systems and Weapon Autonomy and Control Technology. This opportunity is designed for academic institutions that do not currently have a formal relationship with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RW), encouraging collaboration and the advancement of scientific knowledge in defense-related fields. Each selected project will receive funding between $75,000 and $100,000, with a total of 5-6 awards anticipated, and the performance period for the projects will last 12 months. Proposals must be submitted electronically by May 14, 2025, and interested applicants can reach out to the RWK BAA Calls Workflow at afrl.afrl.rwkbaacallsworkflow@us.af.mil for further information.

    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The document outlines the Statement of Objectives (SOO) for a research project under the federal government’s RFP system, specifically under the reference FA8651-22-S-0001 CALL 05. The project spans a total of 12 months, comprising 10 months dedicated to research and 2 months for final reporting. The nature of the work to be performed is unclassified. Key aspects of the project include the establishment of milestones, with key events such as the beginning of the effort, a final review, drafting of the final report, and submission of the final report all clearly marked. The primary deliverables for this initiative are a scientific report and a final report, which are expected to contribute to the wider body of knowledge in the specified research area. This SOO serves as an essential framework for guiding the research efforts, ensuring clarity in objectives, timelines, and deliverables, thereby supporting the effective use of government funding in advancing scientific understanding without compromising security protocols. The distribution statement affirms that the document is approved for public release without restrictions.
    The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for "University Day 2025", targeting U.S. universities to submit leading-edge research proposals in two specified areas: Bioprincipic Systems and Weapon Autonomy and Control Technology. The objective is to foster collaboration with academic institutions that currently lack a formal relationship with AFRL/RW. Proposals should be submitted electronically by May 14, 2025, with expected award amounts of $75,000 to $100,000 for each of the anticipated 5-6 projects. The period of performance for awarded projects is 12 months. Key requirements include adherence to security risk reviews, the submission of essential documents like the Security Program Questionnaire, and compliance with federal regulations on disclosures. Proposals will be evaluated based on technical innovation, cost realism, and potential risks. Selected proposals will be announced around June 16, 2025. This solicitation represents a strategic effort to inject academic research into government defense initiatives while establishing a competitive and transparent proposal framework.
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