Opportunity Information: Apply for FA8651 22 S 0001CALL01
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Munitions Directorate, Contracting Division (AFRL/RWK) is running a grant solicitation called "University Day - Proposals and Virtual Pitches Required" (Funding Opportunity Number FA8651 22 S 0001CALL01). This opportunity is designed specifically for universities and focuses on bringing in fresh academic partners, especially institutions that do not already have an established working relationship with AFRL/RW. Even so, AFRL/RW indicates it will consider all university proposals, meaning prior collaboration is not a strict requirement to be reviewed.
The main goal of the program is to identify leading-edge, university-driven research that can be started quickly and evaluated over a short period. The projects funded under this call are described as short-term "seedling" efforts, expected to last about one academic year. AFRL/RW intends to support projects across four research areas (not listed in the provided text), with the practical purpose of letting AFRL government researchers assess several things at once: the technical quality of the research idea, the feasibility of partnering with the proposing team or institution, and the likely return on investment for AFRL/RW mission needs. In other words, these awards function as a fast, low-barrier entry point for universities to demonstrate capability and for AFRL to determine whether a longer-term collaboration makes sense.
A defining feature of this solicitation is that it anticipates a two-step engagement from applicants. Universities are expected to submit written proposals and then deliver virtual pitches of those proposals. The pitching component suggests AFRL/RW wants to evaluate not only the technical concept on paper, but also the team’s ability to communicate the work clearly and align it with the directorate’s needs. Another notable aspect is AFRL/RW’s stated intention to make "day of" awards from the proposals submitted, which signals an accelerated selection-to-funding timeline compared to typical grant cycles. The idea is to reduce the lag between choosing winners and getting funds out the door, which can be especially important for time-sensitive research starts within an academic year.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and uses a grant as the funding instrument. It falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category and is associated with CFDA number 12.431. Eligible applicants are public and state-controlled institutions of higher education (with the narrative also emphasizing that the event is only open to universities). The listed award ceiling is $100,000, and the original closing date shown is June 13, 2022. AFRL/RW also notes that any proposals selected for award under this call are treated as the result of full and open competition, asserting compliance with the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 (PL 98-369). This language is meant to clarify that selections made through this process meet federal competition requirements.
In practical terms, this opportunity is best viewed as a university-only, short-duration seed funding call tied to a virtual pitch event, aimed at quickly identifying promising research ideas and new academic partners for AFRL’s munitions-focused mission space, with individual awards up to $100,000 and an emphasis on speed from selection to award.Apply for FA8651 22 S 0001CALL01
- The Munitions Directorate in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "University Day - Proposals and Virtual Pitches Required" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.431.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-05-24.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-06-13. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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FAQs: AFRL/RWK "University Day - Proposals and Virtual Pitches Required" (FA8651 22 S 0001CALL01)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The solicitation is titled "University Day - Proposals and Virtual Pitches Required."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FA8651 22 S 0001CALL01.
Which government organization is offering this grant?
The opportunity is run by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Munitions Directorate, Contracting Division (AFRL/RWK).
What is the main purpose of this solicitation?
The purpose is to identify leading-edge, university-driven research ideas that can start quickly and be evaluated over a short period, while also helping AFRL/RW assess technical quality, partnership feasibility, and potential return on investment for AFRL/RW mission needs.
Who is this opportunity designed for?
This opportunity is designed specifically for universities. Eligible applicants are listed as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and the narrative emphasizes that the event is only open to universities.
Is this opportunity only for universities that have worked with AFRL/RW before?
No. The solicitation emphasizes bringing in fresh academic partners, especially institutions without an established working relationship with AFRL/RW. At the same time, AFRL/RW indicates it will consider all university proposals, so prior collaboration is not required in order to be reviewed.
What kind of projects is AFRL/RW looking to fund?
The call targets short-term "seedling" research efforts that can be initiated quickly and assessed within a short timeframe. These projects are intended as a low-barrier entry point for universities to demonstrate capability and for AFRL/RW to determine whether longer-term collaboration makes sense.
How long are the funded projects expected to last?
The funded efforts are expected to be short-term, lasting about one academic year.
What research areas are included?
AFRL/RW intends to support projects across four research areas, but the specific areas are not listed in the information provided here.
What is unique about the application process for this solicitation?
A defining feature is the expected two-step engagement: universities submit written proposals and then deliver virtual pitches of those proposals. This suggests AFRL/RW will evaluate both the written technical concept and the team’s ability to communicate the work and align it with AFRL/RW needs.
Are virtual pitches required, or optional?
Based on the solicitation title and description provided, virtual pitches are a required part of the process along with the written proposal.
Does AFRL/RW plan to make awards quickly?
Yes. AFRL/RW states an intention to make "day of" awards from the proposals submitted, which signals an accelerated selection-to-funding timeline compared to typical grant cycles.
What type of funding is this (mandatory or discretionary)?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.
What is the funding instrument?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
It falls under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 12.431.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $100,000.
Is the award amount stated as a ceiling or a guaranteed amount?
Only an award ceiling is provided in the information here ($100,000). No guaranteed or typical award amount is stated.
When was the original closing date for the solicitation?
The original closing date shown is June 13, 2022.
Does the information indicate whether late proposals will be accepted?
No. The provided information only states the original closing date and does not address late submissions.
What is AFRL/RW evaluating when it reviews proposals?
The call is structured so AFRL/RW can assess multiple factors at once, including the technical quality of the research idea, the feasibility of partnering with the proposing team or institution, and the likely return on investment for AFRL/RW mission needs.
Why does the solicitation emphasize new academic partners?
The opportunity is positioned as a way to bring in fresh university partners and offer a fast, low-barrier entry point for institutions to demonstrate capability. It also helps AFRL/RW quickly determine whether a longer-term relationship would be worthwhile.
Does this solicitation claim to meet federal competition requirements?
Yes. AFRL/RW notes that proposals selected for award under this call are treated as the result of full and open competition, and it cites compliance with the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 (PL 98-369).
What does "full and open competition" mean in the context provided?
In the provided description, it is used to indicate that selections made through this process are treated as competitive and compliant with federal competition requirements (as referenced through the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984).
Is this opportunity best suited for long-term research programs?
The opportunity is framed as short-duration seed funding (about one academic year) intended to start quickly and be evaluated rapidly, rather than as a long-term research program.
What is the practical takeaway for universities considering this opportunity?
It is a university-only, short-term seed funding call tied to a virtual pitch event, intended to quickly identify promising research ideas and potential new academic partners for AFRL’s munitions-focused mission space, with individual awards up to $100,000 and an emphasis on speed from selection to award.
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