The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) has released a funding opportunity under Broad Agency Announcement FA8651-22-S-0001, CALL 05 titled “University Day 2025.” This grant opportunity aims to foster innovative, leading-edge research through collaborations with U.S. universities, particularly those that do not currently hold a contract or grant with AFRL/RW. Although the intent is to broaden participation, all U.S. universities are eligible to apply. The funding opportunity is focused on initiating short-term, seedling research projects in two specific technical domains.

The two targeted research areas for this call are: RA 2, which focuses on Bioprincipic Systems encompassing sensors, processing, control, and materials under the theme “Collective Swarming Resulting from Emerging Behavior by Autonomous Biological Entities”; and RA 17, which centers on Weapon Autonomy and Control Technology with a focus on “Computationally Efficient, Intelligent Guidance and Control Algorithms.” Applicants must choose only one research area to propose against. Selected applicants will be invited to a virtual pitch day, after which same-day awards may be made.

This opportunity anticipates awarding five to six grants with funding between $75,000 to $100,000 per award. The period of performance is expected to span twelve months, divided into approximately ten months for research and two months for final reporting. The anticipated award date is June 23, 2025. A final report is a required deliverable. This grant is governed by the overarching BAA FA8651-22-S-0001 and subject to a one-step submission process.

Proposals are due no later than 3:00 PM Central Standard Time on May 14, 2025, and should be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Offerors must also notify the government point of contact, Adam Noffke, via the email address afrl.afrl.rwkbaacallsworkflow@us.af.mil upon submission. Proposal questions are due by April 29, 2025. The application package must include several components: a technical/management volume, a cost/business volume, and completion of forms such as the SF424 Senior and Key Person Profile, a Security Program Questionnaire, and a Privacy Act Statement for each Covered Individual.

Eligibility is limited to U.S. universities. Foreign participation is not authorized. Cost sharing is not required. Additionally, applicants must comply with comprehensive security risk review protocols outlined in various AFRL and Department of the Air Force instructions, which include reviewing affiliations and foreign influences on key personnel.

Evaluation criteria include the innovation and technical merit of the proposal, the offeror’s understanding of the scope, the feasibility of the technical approach, and potential for transition of results. Cost realism and a risk assessment will also be evaluated. Proposals are categorized as Highly Recommended, Selectable, or Not Selectable based on these assessments.