AFRL Research Collaboration Program II | FA8650 20 S 5002

AFRL Research Collaboration Program II (FA8650-20-S-5002) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the AFRL Research Collaboration Program II?

The AFRL Research Collaboration Program II is a discretionary federal funding opportunity issued by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to build and expand long-term, collaborative research partnerships with academic institutions.

2) What is the main purpose of this program?

The central aim is to connect university researchers with AFRL scientists and engineers to tackle foundational, early-stage research problems that matter to the Air Force mission, particularly those tied to the United States' future air, space, and cyberspace technology needs.

3) What kinds of research does the program emphasize?

The program emphasizes foundational, early-stage research that is mission-relevant to the Air Force and aligned with future technology needs in air, space, and cyberspace domains.

4) Is this opportunity focused on funding individual research projects or broader partnerships?

Based on the notice description, it is designed to do more than fund individual projects. It is intended to grow research capability within participating universities and build long-term collaborative partnerships with AFRL.

5) Who is this program intended to connect?

It is intended to connect university researchers with AFRL scientists and engineers to collaborate on research problems relevant to the Air Force mission.

6) Why does the program highlight “collaboration” so strongly?

The opportunity is centered on building long-term, collaborative research partnerships. It seeks collaboration that is technically strong and structured in a way that meaningfully links academic researchers with AFRL personnel.

7) Does the program have an inclusion or diversity emphasis?

Yes. A key theme is collaboration that is inclusive and intentionally engages a diverse pool of scientists and engineers, with the stated goal of strengthening the breadth of ideas and talent contributing to national defense research.

8) How does this program support universities beyond the research itself?

The program is intended to deepen university research competencies, broaden institutional connections to AFRL, and help universities develop expertise and infrastructure. It is also meant to create pathways for students and early-career researchers to gain experience with mission-relevant research challenges.

9) How does this opportunity relate to the STEM workforce pipeline?

The opportunity is meant to help build a stronger domestic pipeline of future STEM professionals who could eventually support AFRL, by creating pathways and experiences tied to mission-relevant research.

10) What is the funding opportunity number (FON) for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is FA8650-20-S-5002.

11) What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

12) What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement (instead of a standard grant)?

The notice indicates a cooperative agreement, which typically means there is substantial involvement by the government partner compared to a standard grant. In this context, it aligns with the program's intent to foster close collaboration between universities and AFRL scientists and engineers.

13) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

14) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 12.800.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of applicants can potentially apply rather than being limited to a narrow class of institutions.

16) Who is the issuing agency?

The issuing agency is the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

17) When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2020-01-02.

18) What was the original closing date for the opportunity?

The original closing date listed is 2020-02-07.

19) What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The notice lists an award ceiling of $40,000,000.

20) Does the award ceiling mean every award will be $40,000,000?

Not necessarily. The notice states an award ceiling of $40,000,000, which signals the potential for very large-scale support depending on how awards are structured under the program.

21) What is the broader national defense relevance stated in the opportunity?

The opportunity frames its purpose as strengthening the breadth of ideas and talent contributing to national defense research and advancing foundational research problems that matter to the Air Force mission.

22) What technology areas are explicitly mentioned in the notice?

The notice explicitly mentions future air, space, and cyberspace technology needs as key areas of interest.

23) What outcomes does AFRL appear to be seeking from participating universities?

The description highlights outcomes such as deeper university research competencies, expanded institutional connections to AFRL, development of expertise and infrastructure, and strengthened pathways for students and early-career researchers to engage in mission-relevant research.

24) What does AFRL gain from this collaboration model?

The notice indicates that AFRL gains access to cutting-edge academic thinking and emerging technical approaches through these partnerships.

25) Is this opportunity aligned to Air Force research priorities?

Yes. The opportunity is issued by AFRL and is described as directly aligned with Air Force mission needs and the development of technology and scientific understanding relevant to defense needs.