FY21 DEFENSE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (DEPSCoR) – CAPACITY BUILDING (CB) | FOA AFRL AFOSR 2021 0008

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.

• 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).

Apply for FOA AFRL AFOSR 2021 0008

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