Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA AFRL AFOSR 2021 0008
The FY21 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) Capacity Building (CB) opportunity is a Department of Defense basic research grant designed to strengthen and expand the research capabilities of institutions of higher education in DEPSCoR-eligible states and territories. The central idea is capacity building: helping schools in historically underrepresented jurisdictions develop the people, infrastructure, and organizational support needed to compete successfully for high-quality, DoD-relevant basic research funding. While the DoD invests across a wide range of scientific and engineering fields, this program specifically targets improvements that position an institution (or a partnership of institutions) to deliver excellent basic research aligned with national security needs and the DoD mission.
The program is sponsored and managed by the Basic Research Office within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)). Awards are made by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and administered through the Office of Naval Research (ONR), reflecting a coordinated DoD approach to managing basic research investments. The funding instrument is a discretionary grant, categorized under science and technology and other research and development (CFDA 12.431). Proposals are expected to reflect both the technical opportunity area and the realities of the proposing region, meaning approaches may differ widely depending on the discipline, existing institutional strengths, and what is most needed to accelerate competitiveness.
The stated objectives of the Capacity Building track focus on two outcomes. First, it aims to jumpstart capability development within the eligible state or territory by increasing human resources (such as personnel support and expertise), technical resources (such as facilities and instrumentation), and management resources (such as research administration capacity and project management). Second, it aims to help institutions achieve excellence in at least one DoD-relevant research area by supporting enabling activities such as equipment acquisition, education and training, research activities, and other efforts that directly contribute to building sustainable research strength. In practice, that means this opportunity is less about a single narrow research experiment and more about building a durable platform for long-term research success that can produce competitive basic research outcomes in the future.
In terms of funding, the DoD anticipated about $1,000,000 total available for this solicitation, with the expectation of making approximately one award. The award ceiling is $1,000,000 in total costs, structured as up to $500,000 per year over a two-year period. Funding is explicitly subject to availability, and the government reserves broad discretion to fund all proposals, some proposals, part of a proposal, or none at all, so submission does not guarantee an award. The opportunity was posted under Funding Opportunity Number FOA AFRL AFOSR 2021 0008, created May 10, 2021, with an original closing date of February 22, 2022.
Eligibility is aimed at applicants in DEPSCoR-eligible states and territories, with the primary intent being institutions of higher education, either applying alone or in partnership with other organizations, as long as the proposal supports institutional strategic objectives tied to building basic research excellence relevant to DoD priorities. The overall emphasis is on measurable strengthening of research capacity and competitiveness, positioning awardees to contribute more effectively to the nation’s defense-related basic science and engineering enterprise over time.Apply for FOA AFRL AFOSR 2021 0008
- The Department of Defense, Air Force Office of Scientific Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY21 DEFENSE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (DEPSCoR) – CAPACITY BUILDING (CB)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.431.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 10, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 22, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FY21 DEPSCoR Capacity Building (CB) Grant - FAQs
What is the FY21 DEPSCoR Capacity Building (CB) opportunity?
It is a Department of Defense (DoD) basic research grant focused on capacity building. The purpose is to strengthen and expand research capabilities at institutions of higher education located in DEPSCoR-eligible states and territories so they can compete more successfully for high-quality, DoD-relevant basic research funding over the long term.
What does "capacity building" mean in this program?
Capacity building here means developing durable institutional capability, not just running a single research study. This includes building the people, infrastructure, and organizational support needed for a school (or a partnership of schools) to become more competitive for DoD basic research awards in the future.
What is the main goal of this grant?
The central goal is to help institutions in historically underrepresented jurisdictions improve their ability to conduct excellent basic research that aligns with national security needs and the DoD mission.
Is this program limited to a specific scientific field?
No. The DoD invests across a wide range of science and engineering fields. This opportunity is designed to support improvements that position an institution to deliver excellent basic research in at least one area that is relevant to the DoD.
Who sponsors and manages the program?
The program is sponsored and managed by the Basic Research Office within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)).
Who makes and administers awards?
Awards are made by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and administered through the Office of Naval Research (ONR), reflecting a coordinated DoD approach to managing basic research investments.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a discretionary grant. It is categorized under science and technology and other research and development (CFDA 12.431).
What are the stated objectives of the Capacity Building track?
The objectives focus on two outcomes: (1) jumpstarting capability development in the eligible state or territory by increasing human resources, technical resources, and management resources; and (2) helping institutions achieve excellence in at least one DoD-relevant research area through enabling activities that build sustainable research strength.
What kinds of improvements does the program expect to support?
The solicitation describes improvements such as increasing human resources (personnel support and expertise), technical resources (facilities and instrumentation), and management resources (research administration capacity and project management).
What activities can a Capacity Building project include?
The opportunity describes enabling activities including equipment acquisition, education and training, research activities, and other efforts that directly contribute to building sustainable research strength in a DoD-relevant basic research area.
Is the focus more on a single research experiment or long-term capability?
The focus is primarily on building a durable platform for long-term research success. While research activities can be part of the effort, the program emphasizes strengthening institutional capability and competitiveness over time.
How much funding is available under this solicitation?
The DoD anticipated approximately $1,000,000 total available for the solicitation, with the expectation of making about one award.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000 in total costs. The structure described is up to $500,000 per year for two years.
What is the anticipated project period?
The funding is structured as a two-year period, at up to $500,000 per year.
Is funding guaranteed if a proposal is submitted?
No. Funding is subject to availability, and the government reserves broad discretion to fund all proposals, some proposals, part of a proposal, or none at all.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is aimed at applicants in DEPSCoR-eligible states and territories. The primary intent is institutions of higher education, either applying alone or in partnership with other organizations, as long as the proposal supports institutional strategic objectives tied to building DoD-relevant basic research excellence.
Can an institution apply as part of a partnership?
Yes. The opportunity indicates institutions of higher education may apply alone or in partnership with other organizations, provided the proposal supports capacity building and institutional strategic objectives related to DoD-relevant basic research excellence.
What is the overall emphasis for proposed projects?
The emphasis is on measurable strengthening of research capacity and competitiveness, so the institution becomes better positioned to win and perform high-quality, DoD-relevant basic research funding over time.
How should proposals relate to the proposing region?
Proposals are expected to reflect both the technical opportunity area and the realities of the proposing region. Approaches may differ based on discipline, existing institutional strengths, and what is most needed locally to accelerate competitiveness.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FOA AFRL AFOSR 2021 0008.
When was this opportunity created and when did it close?
It was created on May 10, 2021, and the original closing date was February 22, 2022.
How does this program relate to national security and the DoD mission?
The program supports capacity that enables excellent basic research aligned with national security needs and the DoD mission, helping eligible institutions contribute more effectively to the defense-related basic science and engineering enterprise over time.
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