Opportunity Information: Apply for FA9550 19 S 0003
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) is offering a standing, broad research funding opportunity focused on basic research that supports the U.S. Air Force and, more broadly, national defense needs. AFOSR serves as the organization within the Department of Defense that plans, coordinates, and executes the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) basic research portfolio, using technical guidance from AFRL and aligning projects with Air Force requirements. A central theme of this opportunity is not only generating new scientific knowledge, but also helping promising results move toward eventual transition and use in Air Force-relevant capabilities. The program emphasizes research areas expected to deliver significant, wide-reaching benefits for warfighting effectiveness and peacekeeping missions, which signals that proposals should clearly connect fundamental science to long-term Air Force interests even when the work is early-stage or exploratory.
The opportunity is organized around two major AFOSR scientific departments, reflecting how AFOSR manages and invests in research. The first is Engineering and Information Science (often referenced as RTA), which typically covers foundational work that underpins future technologies in areas such as engineering disciplines, computing, autonomy, sensing, communications, cyber-relevant science, and related information-centric topics. The second is Physical and Biological Sciences (RTB), which typically includes core research in physics, chemistry, materials, mathematics, atmospheric and space-relevant sciences, and biological or bio-inspired science that could ultimately impact human performance, survivability, sensing, or other defense-relevant outcomes. The listing notes that research activities within each department are summarized in the full announcement, so applicants are generally expected to identify the specific program area and align their technical approach with the interests of the appropriate AFOSR program manager.
This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity with a very flexible set of funding instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, procurement contracts, and other mechanisms. That flexibility usually means the government may choose the instrument type based on the nature of the work, the level of expected government involvement, and the pathway toward transition. The catalog reference is CFDA 12.800 (Department of Defense research programs), and the sponsoring agency is the Department of Defense, Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
Eligibility is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both with and without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), small businesses, and additional eligible entities as described in the announcement. In practical terms, that makes this opportunity accessible to universities, research institutes, startups, established companies, and nonprofit laboratories, and it can also support collaborative arrangements across academia, industry, and government labs when aligned with AFOSR interests.
Administratively, the opportunity number is FA9550-19-S-0003, with an initial posting/creation date of April 10, 2019. The closing date is described as "Posted until superseded," which indicates an open or continuously available announcement that remains active until replaced or updated rather than operating on a single short submission window. The stated award ceiling is very high (up to $100,000,000), which is typical of umbrella announcements covering many different research topics and award types rather than reflecting a common single-award size. The expected number of awards is listed as an extremely large placeholder value, reinforcing that this is a broad, ongoing vehicle used to solicit and fund multiple efforts over time.
Overall, this opportunity functions as an umbrella solicitation for AFOSR-managed basic research aligned to Air Force priorities, spanning engineering and information sciences as well as physical and biological sciences. Competitive proposals generally need to present strong fundamental science, a clear fit to one of AFOSR's research portfolios, and a credible narrative for how the research could eventually transition to support Air Force needs, even if the immediate work is aimed at foundational discovery rather than near-term product development.Apply for FA9550 19 S 0003
- 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 "Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.800.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 10, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Posted until superseded. (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 $100,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 9,999,999 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this AFOSR funding opportunity?
This is a standing, broad research funding opportunity from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) focused on basic research that supports U.S. Air Force priorities and, more broadly, national defense needs. It is designed to fund foundational science while keeping an eye on how promising results could eventually transition into Air Force-relevant capabilities.
Who is the sponsoring agency?
The sponsoring agency is the Department of Defense (DoD), Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is FA9550-19-S-0003.
When was this opportunity first posted?
The initial posting/creation date is April 10, 2019.
Is there a specific deadline to apply?
The closing date is listed as "Posted until superseded," meaning the announcement is open/continuously available and remains active until it is replaced or updated, rather than operating on a single, fixed submission window.
What kind of research does AFOSR want to fund under this announcement?
The emphasis is on basic research: fundamental scientific work that generates new knowledge. At the same time, the announcement highlights the importance of helping strong results move toward eventual transition and use in Air Force-relevant capabilities.
Does the research need to be directly tied to Air Force needs even if it is early-stage?
Yes. Even when the work is exploratory or early-stage, proposals are expected to clearly connect the fundamental science to long-term Air Force interests and national defense relevance.
How is the opportunity organized?
The opportunity is organized around two major AFOSR scientific departments, reflecting how AFOSR manages its research portfolio: Engineering and Information Science (RTA) and Physical and Biological Sciences (RTB).
What topics generally fall under Engineering and Information Science (RTA)?
RTA typically covers foundational work that underpins future technologies in areas such as engineering disciplines, computing, autonomy, sensing, communications, cyber-relevant science, and other information-centric research topics.
What topics generally fall under Physical and Biological Sciences (RTB)?
RTB typically includes core research in physics, chemistry, materials, mathematics, atmospheric and space-relevant sciences, and biological or bio-inspired science that could ultimately impact areas like human performance, survivability, sensing, or other defense-relevant outcomes.
Do applicants need to align with a specific AFOSR program area or program manager?
Yes. The announcement indicates that research activities within each department are summarized in the full announcement, and applicants are generally expected to identify the specific program area and align their technical approach with the interests of the appropriate AFOSR program manager.
What types of funding instruments can AFOSR use under this opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity with flexible instrument options, including cooperative agreements, grants, procurement contracts, and other mechanisms.
Why does the opportunity include multiple funding instruments?
The instrument flexibility allows the government to choose the most appropriate mechanism based on factors such as the nature of the work, the level of expected government involvement, and the pathway toward transition.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The catalog reference is CFDA 12.800 (Department of Defense research programs).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), small businesses, and additional eligible entities as described in the announcement.
Can universities apply?
Yes. Public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education are explicitly listed as eligible.
Can companies apply, including startups and established firms?
Yes. For-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses) and small businesses are listed as eligible, which supports participation by startups as well as established companies.
Can nonprofit organizations apply if they are not a 501(c)(3)?
Yes. Nonprofits are listed as eligible both with and without 501(c)(3) status.
Does this opportunity support collaborative research across different types of organizations?
The eligibility language is broad and indicates the opportunity can support participation by universities, research institutes, companies, and nonprofits, and it can support collaborative arrangements when aligned with AFOSR interests.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is up to $100,000,000.
Does the $100,000,000 ceiling mean most awards will be that large?
Not necessarily. The description notes that this very high ceiling is typical of umbrella announcements that cover many research topics and award types, and it does not indicate a common single-award size.
How many awards will be made?
The expected number of awards is listed as an extremely large placeholder value, which reinforces that this is a broad, ongoing vehicle used to solicit and fund multiple efforts over time.
What makes a proposal competitive under this umbrella solicitation?
Based on the description provided, competitive proposals generally feature strong fundamental science, a clear fit to one of AFOSR's research portfolios (RTA or RTB), and a credible narrative for how the research could eventually transition to support Air Force needs, even if the immediate work is focused on foundational discovery rather than near-term product development.
Is this opportunity focused on near-term product development?
The emphasis described is basic research and foundational discovery. However, the opportunity also stresses helping promising results move toward eventual transition and use in Air Force-relevant capabilities over time.
What is AFOSR's role in the Air Force research ecosystem?
AFOSR is described as the organization within the Department of Defense that plans, coordinates, and executes the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) basic research portfolio, using technical guidance from AFRL and aligning projects with Air Force requirements.
What mission outcomes does this research aim to influence?
The opportunity emphasizes research areas expected to deliver significant, wide-reaching benefits for warfighting effectiveness and peacekeeping missions, signaling that proposed basic research should connect to long-term Air Force and national defense outcomes.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Trails Work at Rocky Mountain National Park
Previous opportunity: 2019 Conservation Interns
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for FA9550 19 S 0003
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FA9550 19 S 0003) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| ARPA-E and ESTCP Demonstration Partnership Apply for DE FOA 0002039 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002039 Agency: Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| DOE Traineeship in Accelerator Science and Technology Apply for DE FOA 0002087 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002087 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Military Medical Photonics Program Apply for FA9550 19 S 0004 Funding Number: FA9550 19 S 0004 Agency: Department of Defense, Air Force Office of Scientific Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Strengthening the Medical Examiner - Coroner System Program, FY 2019 Apply for NIJ 2019 15523 Funding Number: NIJ 2019 15523 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| DoD Spinal Cord Injury, Clinical Trial Award Apply for W81XWH 19 SCIRP CTA Funding Number: W81XWH 19 SCIRP CTA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Spinal Cord Injury, Investigator- Initiated Research Award Apply for W81XWH 19 SCIRP IIRA Funding Number: W81XWH 19 SCIRP IIRA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Spinal Cord Injury, Translational Research Award Apply for W81XWH 19 SCIRP TRA Funding Number: W81XWH 19 SCIRP TRA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU Apply for G19AS00048 Funding Number: G19AS00048 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $48,801 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU Apply for G19AS00049 Funding Number: G19AS00049 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $115,768 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, North and West Alaska CESU Apply for G19AS00047 Funding Number: G19AS00047 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $80,364 |
| Scientific Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence: Uncertainty Quantification Apply for DE FOA 0002122 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002122 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Dark Matter New Initiatives Apply for DE FOA 0002112 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002112 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP): Assistive Technology to Promote Independence and Community Living (Research) Apply for HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR DPGE 0354 Funding Number: HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR DPGE 0354 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,333,332 |
| Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP): Assistive Technology to Promote Independence and Community Living (Development) Apply for HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR DPGE 0355 Funding Number: HHS 2019 ACL NIDILRR DPGE 0355 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,333,332 |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program - Region 3 Apply for DHS 19 MT 045 03 01 Funding Number: DHS 19 MT 045 03 01 Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program - Region 4 Apply for DHS 19 MT 045 04 01 Funding Number: DHS 19 MT 045 04 01 Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program - Region 7 Apply for DHS 19 MT 045 07 01 Funding Number: DHS 19 MT 045 07 01 Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program - Region 8 Apply for DHS 19 MT 045 08 01 Funding Number: DHS 19 MT 045 08 01 Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program - Region 10 Apply for DHS 19 MT 045 10 01 Funding Number: DHS 19 MT 045 10 01 Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Nuclear Data Interagency Working Group / Research Program Apply for DE FOA 0002114 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002114 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FA9550 19 S 0003", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.