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Research and Development (RAD) Directed Energy (RD) University Assistance Instruments

US · NM Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) grant open #RDK-RAD-FOA-2024
Response due Jul 18, 2029 · 00:00 UTC

Summary

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is soliciting university assistance instruments focused on Research and Development (R&D) in the area of Directed Energy (DE). This is a broad agency announcement (synopsis/FOA) intended to establish assistance agreements with universities for directed energy research. The opportunity has a rolling five-year window (2024–2029), suggesting it is designed to accept proposals on an ongoing basis throughout that period.

What they want

AFRL seeks to award university assistance instruments (grants, cooperative agreements, or similar) in support of Research and Development activities in Directed Energy. The solicitation is structured as a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) open for a multi-year period, inviting university applicants to submit proposals aligned with AFRL directed energy research priorities. Specific research topics, tasks, and deliverables would be defined at the individual award level under this umbrella FOA.
Technical requirements
  • Proposing institutions must be universities or university-affiliated research organizations
  • Research must align with AFRL Directed Energy (RD) directorate priorities

How they evaluate

  • Criteria not specified in synopsis — to be defined at individual award/task level under the FOA
Submission: Grants.gov portal (grants.gov), per FOA number RDK-RAD-FOA-2024

Risks & flags

  • Eligibility appears restricted to universities, excluding industry and non-academic research organizations
  • Five-year rolling window with minimal published detail — specific topic areas and evaluation criteria not disclosed in synopsis, making competitive landscape opaque
  • No funding ceiling or per-award value stated, limiting ability to assess opportunity size

Market context

inferred from NAICS
R&D in Physical, Engineering, Life Sciences (except Nanotech & Biotech)
NAICS 541715
US market size
$95B
Typical award
$100K – $50M+
Typical buyers
DoDNSFNIHNASADOE
Commonly required
DCAA-compliant accountingITARCMMC L2
Research and Development (RAD) Directed En…
Due Jul 18
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