The FY 2025 Directors’ Research Initiative (DRI) by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) aims to fund research projects in areas critical to the future of Air and Space Forces. The initiative’s theme, "Energy for Agility," seeks innovative basic and applied research to advance energy generation, storage, distribution, and resilience for military applications. Key focus areas include bio-agile energy optimization, time metamaterials, electrochemical interfaces, and collaborative resource sharing for proliferated space architectures. The goal is to develop novel scientific insights and engineering approaches that enhance energy efficiency, adaptability, and survivability in extreme environments, particularly space.

Eligible applicants include U.S. and international educational institutions and non-profit research entities, with a preference for collaborations between North and South American institutions. The funding opportunity involves a two-phase application process, requiring submission of white papers by January 31, 2025, followed by full proposals due on March 14, 2025. Awards are expected to range from $200,000 to $750,000 per year for up to three years, with total funding of $2.3 million allocated for FY 2025.