The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) is soliciting research proposals from U.S. educational institutions to establish a University Center of Excellence (uCoE) in Compositional Optimization, Dynamical Systems, and Control (CODAC). This initiative aims to advance fundamental research in compositional optimization, dynamical systems, and control to address mission-critical challenges faced by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Space Force (USSF). The selected university or consortium will collaborate with AFOSR and various technical directorates within the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), including the Information Directorate (RI), Autonomy Capability Team (ACT3), and Munitions Directorate (RW). The research should focus on hierarchical and modular optimization methods, distributed and decentralized decision-making, and uncertainty modeling in dynamic environments.

AFOSR anticipates making one grant award with funding of up to $1,150,000 per year for a maximum of five years. The initial funding period is for three years, with an optional two-year extension based on performance. The midterm evaluation at the 2.5-year mark will determine eligibility for the extension. Funding decisions will be contingent upon program performance and the availability of funds.

Eligible applicants include U.S. educational institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs). However, individuals, for-profit organizations, federal agencies, and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply. All research personnel accessing AFRL facilities must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The application process consists of a two-stage submission. First, interested institutions must submit a white paper, which will be reviewed to determine invitation for a full proposal submission. The white paper should summarize the scientific objectives, research approaches, and relevance to the CODAC initiative. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal through Grants.gov, adhering to the prescribed format and requirements.

Key dates include the white paper submission deadline on March 3, 2025, with feedback provided by March 24, 2025. Full proposals are due by April 21, 2025, with award notifications expected by May 19, 2025. All inquiries and questions must be submitted via email to Elizabeth.Burzenski@us.af.mil by the designated deadlines. Amendments or additional information will be posted on Grants.gov.

Evaluation criteria include technical merit, potential impact on USAF and USSF missions, and the qualifications and capabilities of the research team. The research should propose innovative solutions for optimizing complex decision-making processes, enabling more efficient and resilient military operations. Awardees will be required to provide periodic technical and financial reports, ensure compliance with federal research regulations, and facilitate collaboration with AFRL scientists.