DEPSCOR-RC - FY22 - FOA-AFRL-AFOSR-2022-0006 - FINAL.docx

AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT #

FOA-AFRL-AFOSR-2022-0006

FY22 DEFENSE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (DEPSCoR) –

RESEARCH COLLABORATION (RC)

OVERVIEW INFORMATION

The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the fiscal year 2022 (FY22) Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) – Research Collaboration (RC). The program is sponsored and managed by the Basic Research Office, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD [R&E]), awarded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), and administered through the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The DoD plans to award FY22 DEPSCoR appropriations through this announcement.

DEPSCoR's objectives are to: (1) increase the number of university researchers in eligible States/Territories capable of performing science and engineering (S&E research responsive to the needs of the DoD; and (2) enhance the capabilities of institutions of higher education (IHE) in eligible States/Territories (listed below) to develop, plan, and execute (S&E) research that is relevant to the mission of the DoD, and competitive under the peer-review systems used for awarding Federal research assistance; (3) increase the probability of long-term growth in the competitively awarded financial assistance that IHE in eligible States receive from the Federal Government for S&E research.

Consistent with these longterm objectives of building research infrastructure, the DoD intends to competitively make, and fund from fiscal year 2022 appropriations, multiyear awards for S&E research in areas relevant to the DoD’s mission and important to national security.

This funding opportunity aims to create basic research collaborations between a pair of researchers, namely 1) Applicant/Principal Investigator (PI), henceforth referred to as Applicant, a full-time faculty member who has never served as a PI on a prior DoD directly funded research Prime award and 2) Collaborator/co-Principal Investigator (co-PI), henceforth referred to as Collaborator, an investigator who will provide mentorship to the Applicant and has served as a PI on a DoD directly funded research Prime award actively between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2022. This structure is aimed at introducing potential applicants to the DoD’s unique research challenges and its supportive research ecosystem.

Prime award defined in the context of this announcement is the DoD legal instrument (assistance or acquisition) that a Principal Investigator receives directly from a DoD awarding agency and not indirectly from a non-DoD pass-through entity to carry out scientific research.

· You are eligible to apply as the Applicant under the DEPSCoR-RC FOA as long as you were NOT listed as the Principal Investigator on a previous DoD funded research award, and are a full-time faculty member in a tenured or tenure track position in a DEPSCoR eligible State/Territory. Being a “Co-PI” or “sub PI” on a prior DoD funded award does not count as being a “PI” for the purposes of eligibility of the Applicant for the DEPSCoR-RC FOA.

· The DEPSCoR-RC White Paper package must include prior research award documentation which indicates that the Collaborator was a PI on a previous DoD directly funded research Prime award between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2022. If the Collaborator is not identified as the PI within the award document, a letter from the awarding agency point of contact should be furnished supporting the assertion within the timeframe identified.

· The Collaborator must have served as a Principal Investigator on a directly funded DoD research Prime award during the eligibility period and not have been subcontracted by: other PIs, non-DoD entities, or companies as a Co-Principal Investigator. Subawards indirectly funded by the DoD where the Collaborator has served as a Co-Principal Investigator do not count as eligible criteria for the Collaborator for the purposes of this funding opportunity announcement.

· The flow charts below serve as a guide for determining Applicant and Collaborator eligibility. Each diamond shape is an eligibility criterion question which elicits either a “yes” or “no” response. You are not eligible to submit a White Paper or Full Proposal if any “yes” or “no” response leads to the “Not eligible” outcome. Submissions found to be “Not eligible” will not be subject to technical review. You are not eligible to submit a White Paper or Full Proposal if you do not meet this requirement.

Tenured or tenure-track faculty members with appointments at IHE, in the following States/Territories are eligible to apply for DEPSCoR opportunities under this announcement: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Hyperlinks have been embedded within this document and appear as underlined, and blue-colored words in the midst of paragraphs. The reader may “jump” to the linked section within this document by “clicking” (CTRL + CLICK, or CLICK).

SUMMARY OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION

1. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY NAME

Air Force Office of Scientific Research 875 North Randolph Street, STE 325, Room 3112 Arlington, VA 22203

2. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE

Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) – Research Collaboration (RC)

3. ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE

Initial Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)

4. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER

FOA-AFRL-AFOSR-2022-0006

5. CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA)

NUMBER(S)

12.431 – Basic Scientific Research

6. KEY DATES

Schedule of Events

RunGrants website open for registration and submission (https://dod-basicresearch.nvision.noblis.org/program/depscor)

DEPSCoR Webinar For details and registration, please visit (https://dod-basicresearch.nvision.noblis.org/program/depscor)

RunGrants Registration (strongly suggested by) Cut-off date for Q&As with Program Officers

White Paper and Supporting Documentation submission on RunGrants website (https://dod-basicresearch.nvision.noblis.org/program/depscor) (required by)

Full Proposal Submission (by invitation only) electronically on Grants.gov website (submitted by)

Table of Contents

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

OBJECTIVES

The aim of DEPSCoR is to improve the research capabilities at institutions of higher education (IHE) in eligible States/Territories to perform competitive basic research in science and engineering that is relevant to the DoD mission and reflect national security priorities. As defined in the DoD Financial Management Regulation:

Basic research is systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs. It is farsighted high payoff research that provides the basis for technological progress (DoD 7000.14-R, vol. 2B, chap. 5, para. 050105.A)

The DoD’s basic research program invests broadly in many scientific fields to ensure that it has early cognizance of new scientific knowledge.

To address the program’s aim, DEPSCoR will focus on capacity building through human and technical resources by soliciting applications in a DEPSCoR – Research Collaboration (RC) competition. DEPSCoR – RC seeks proposals that advance knowledge in basic science involving bold and ambitious research that may lead to extraordinary outcomes such as disrupting accepted theories and perspectives.

Authority for a grant award under this announcement is established in 10 U.S.C. 4001 for basic research. Authority for DEPSCoR specifically was established in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995, and has subsequently been amended and reauthorized over the years since (see specifically 10 U.S.C. 4010 referring to DEPSCoR in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022).

COLLABORATION COMPOSITION

This funding opportunity aims to create basic research collaborations between a pair of researchers, namely 1) Applicant/Principal Investigator (PI), henceforth referred to as Applicant, a full-time faculty member who has never served as a PI on a prior DoD directly funded research Prime award and 2) Collaborator/co-Principal Investigator (co-PI), henceforth referred to as Collaborator, an investigator who will provide mentorship to the Applicant and has served as a PI on a DoD directly funded research Prime award actively between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2022. This structure is aimed at introducing potential applicants to the DoD’s unique research challenges and its supportive research ecosystem. Only one Applicant/Principal Investigator and one Collaborator/co-PI are allowed per application.

Applicants must be aware of the following eligibility criteria:

· You are eligible to apply as the Applicant under the DEPSCoR-RC FOA as long as you were NOT listed as the Principal Investigator on a previous DoD funded research award, and are a full-time faculty member in a tenured or tenure track position in a DEPSCoR eligible State/Territory. Being a “Co-PI” or “sub PI” on a prior DoD funded award does not count as being a “PI” for the purposes of eligibility of the Applicant for the DEPSCoR-RC FOA.

· The DEPSCoR-RC White Paper package must include prior research award documentation which indicates that the Collaborator was a PI on a previous DoD directly funded research Prime award between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2022. If the Collaborator is not identified as the PI within the award document, a letter from the awarding agency point of contact should be furnished supporting the assertion within the timeframe identified.

· The Collaborator must have served as a Principal Investigator on a directly funded DoD research Prime award during the eligibility period and not have been subcontracted by: other PIs, non-DoD entities, or companies as a Co-Principal Investigator. Subawards indirectly funded by the DoD where the Collaborator has served as a Co-Principal Investigator do not count as eligible criteria for the Collaborator for the purposes of this funding opportunity announcement.

· The flow charts below serve as a guide for determining Applicant and Collaborator eligibility. Each diamond shape is an eligibility criterion question which elicits either a “yes” or “no” response. You are not eligible to submit a White Paper or Full Proposal if any “yes” or “no” response leads to the “Not eligible” outcome. Submissions found to be “Not eligible” will not be subject to technical review. You are not eligible to submit a White Paper or Full Proposal if you do not meet this requirement.

FY22 DEPSCoR Applicant Eligibility No No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes

ELIGIBLE

Is the Applicant faculty at an IHE* in a DEPSCoR state?

Does the Applicant’s choice for Collaborator meet all DEPSCoR eligibility requirements?

Has the Applicant served as a Principal Investigator on a prior DoD directly funded research Prime award?

Is the Applicant in a tenured or tenure-track position?

Is there a qualifying letter from IHE* stating the Applicant will be considered for a tenured or tenure-track position?

NOT ELIGIBLE

No Yes Start

Yes FY22 DEPSCoR Collaborator Eligibility No

ELIGIBLE

Is the Collaborator faculty at an IHE* in a DEPSCoR state?

Is award period of performance between 1Oct2015 and 30Sept2022?

Yes Is the Collaborator listed as PI directly on the award documentation?

Yes Is the Collaborator listed on award documentation as a Co-PI, Sub-PI, Site Lead or designation other than PI?

Is award or Subaward granted directly to another PI or DoD contractor?

No No Can the Collaborator provide a Government POC that can confirm eligibility?

No Yes No Yes No Has the Collaborator been funded on a DoD Prime research award?

Yes Is the Collaborator in a tenured or tenure-track position?

Is there a qualifying Letter from IHE* stating the Collaborator will be considered for a tenured or tenure-track position?

No Yes

NOT ELIGIBLE

No Yes Is award granted directly to the Collaborator from the DoD?

Yes Yes No Start

* Institution of Higher Education (IHE) must be in a DEPSCOR eligible State/Territory and with an advanced degree granting program in science, mathematics, and/or engineering.

The Applicant is permitted to submit only one DEPSCoR-RC White Paper per this DEPSCoR-RC FOA. Each White Paper is permitted a single Applicant and a single Collaborator.

Collaborators are allowed to work with more than one Applicant and thus aren't restricted from participating in more than one White Paper. However, please note it is expected that Collaborators serve as a vital component of the proposed team and commit to providing time for research collaboration and mentorship throughout the entire process.

The website https://discover.dtic.mil/products-services/ is a non-comprehensive repository of government-funded scientific, technical, and engineering information for the DoD. Researchers and Applicants new to DoD are encouraged to visit the site as a starting point for identifying past and present DoD-funded researchers.

The Basic Research Office has also established a “Connect and Collaborate” site where prospective Applicants and Collaborators, seeking collaboration in this DEPSCoR opportunity can post their interest. Please see (https://dod-basicresearch.nvision.noblis.org/program/depscor) for more information. Posting your interest is NOT a requirement.

While each member of the collaboration should be in a tenure-track appointment or tenured at IHE in DEPSCoR-eligible States/Territories, you do not need to be in the same State/Territory. Likewise, the Applicant and Collaborator can have appointments at the same IHE.

Proposals should name the Applicant as the PI and their IHE as the primary institution. Awards will be issued to the IHE where the Applicant resides. It is anticipated but not a requirement that the Collaborator will be funded through a sub-award. The Applicant IHE must receive greater than 50% of the funding. The relationship among participating institutions and their respective roles, as well as the apportionment of funds including sub-awards, if any, shall be described in both the proposal text and the budget. All key personnel proposed must hold appointments at an IHE in a DEPSCoR eligible state. In addition to providing technical expertise to the project, the Collaborator is strongly encouraged to provide guidance and mentorship to the Applicant in the DoD application process.

In this announcement, the term “you/your” refers to the Applicant.

TOPICS

The FY22 DEPSCoR – Research Collaboration competition seeks proposals addressing the topics listed below. You are strongly encouraged to contact the Topic Area Program Officer prior to submitting a White Paper, preferably by email to discuss the current state of the art in his/her area of interest and how your research would advance it. This information will be requested in the IV.C.4 White Paper Package.

Dr. Thomas Weber

Dr. David Phillips (ONR)

Topic 1: Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Flows

Program Description: The Unsteady Aerodynamics and Turbulent Flows portfolio supports basic research into the dynamics and control of aerodynamic shear flows including the interactions of these flows with rigid and flexible surfaces in motion. The portfolio is interested in aerodynamic flows arising in both internal and external configurations and extending over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The portfolio emphasizes the characterization, modeling, prediction, and control of flow instabilities, turbulent flows, and aerodynamic interactions. A focus on the understanding of the fundamental flow physics is motivated by an interest in developing physically-based predictive models and innovative control concepts for these flows.

Basic Research Objectives: Research in this portfolio is motivated, in part, by the fluid structure interactions, by vortex and shear layer flows, by the aerodynamic performance of novel configurations, and by enduring questions on transitional and turbulent flows.

The portfolio maintains an interest in the dynamic interaction between unsteady fluid motion, linear and nonlinear structural deformations, and aerodynamic control effectors for a wide range of flight regimes. The portfolio seeks to advance fundamental understanding of complex, time- dependent flow interactions by integrating theoretical, numerical, and experimental approaches: studies integrating these elements to improve understanding are strongly encouraged.

Flow control studies are expected to involve an approach based on a fundamental insight into the flow dynamics. In cases where that insight may not exist, studies examining fundamental flow physics with a path to enabling control of the flow may be of interest. Flow control efforts integrating modeling, control theory, and advanced sensor and/or actuator technology for application to a flow of interest are encouraged. Note that basic research of the variety typically funded by the portfolio may not yet have a clear transition path to an application, but nevertheless should be relevant to U.S. Air Force and Space Force interests.

TOPIC 1 POC: DR. GREGG L. ABATE, AFOSR/RTA1

Email: gregg.abate@us.af.mil

(703) 588-1779

Topic 2: Condensed Matter Physics

Program Description: The Condensed Matter Physics program seeks to investigate modern directions in the fundamental physics of condensed matter. The ultimate goal is to lead discoveries of new states of matter and understanding of fundamental phenomena towards exploitation and engineering of electronic, magnetic and photonic properties for future disruptive capabilities that are of critical interest to the U.S. Air and Space Forces.

Basic Research Objectives: This program pursues balanced experimental and theoretical studies, aimed at discovery and understanding of new matter states and phase transitions in both equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions, as well as understanding of their properties. The topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

Topological phases and states: The topological states in electronic materials provide protections to physical properties, for example, conductivity and spin. The interest of this topic includes prediction and discovery of interacting topological materials, new approaches for identifying topological states and effects, and characterization and understanding of defects, e.g. dislocation, in topological phases. The prediction and realization of high temperature topological states is of particular interest.

Strongly correlated systems: Strongly correlated systems exhibit complex types of ordering and multifunctional properties arising from the subtle interplay between competing degrees of freedom in a near degenerate energy landscape. The interest of this topic includes prediction and realization of correlated electronic topological phases, control and modulation of electronic correlation in heterostructures, new theoretical approaches for strongly correlated systems, and unique methods of probing emergent phenomena associated with strong correlation.

Quantum phase transitions: Understanding quantum critical points is a stepping stone to understanding important phenomena in many condensed matter systems, such as high temperature superconductivity, heavy fermions, and quantum magnetism. This thrust seeks experimental efforts in identifying quantum critical points, exploring phase diagrams, and probing the dynamics of physical properties near quantum critical points in model systems. Studies of physical properties (spin, charge, thermal transport), and effects of chemical doping and strain on quantum criticality are of particular interest.

This program does not focus on the synthesis or applications of high-temperature superconductors, metamaterials, or device physics.

TOPIC 2 POC: DR. JIWEI LU, AFOSR/RTB1

Email: jiwei.lu@us.af.mil

(703) 835-6515

Topic 3: GHz – THz Electronics and Materials

Program Description: This program seeks scientific breakthroughs in materials, heterostructures, and devices that can lead to game-changing capabilities in digital electronics, RF sensing and amplification, transmit/receive functions, wideband operation, and novel functionalities. The primary frequencies of interest range from GHz to THz.

Basic Research Objectives: The focus of the portfolio is on fundamental interactions of electrons and quasiparticles with each other and their host materials in all regions of device operation. Technical challenges include understanding and controlling (1) interactions between particles/quasiparticles and host lattices, boundaries, and defects, including thermal effects and changes over time that limit lifetime and performance; (2) carrier velocity; and (3) methods of device operation that do not rely solely on conventional transistors or transport mechanisms such as drift, diffusion, and tunneling. Efficiency, volume, speed, and power are important figures of merit. It is expected that to understand fully well the various new phenomena and device configurations, novel techniques to study and control nanoscale structures, defects, and operations may be required. Fundamental studies of radiation damage and its effects on properties and performance and of superconductors are of special interest. The program emphasizes experiments and also it supports theory and modeling.

TOPIC 3 POC: DR. KENNETH C. GORETTA, AFOSR/RTA1

Email: kenneth.goretta@us.af.mil

(703) 696-7349

Topic 4: Solid State Electronics and Electromagnetics

This research area emphasizes efforts to discover and create unique electromagnetic phenomena in solid-state materials and structures. Innovative research is sought in areas involving quantum phenomena, internally and externally induced stimulus, and novel transport and electromagnetic interaction effects in solid-state electronic structures. This basic research will address issues related to design, modeling, fabrication, testing and characterization to include the ability to individually address, control, and modify structures, materials and devices, and the assembly of such structures with atomic-scale control into systems. It will seek to realize advanced device concepts with revolutionary capabilities.

This program will explore the latest developments in semiconductor materials and device physics, such as negative capacitance transistors, tunneling field effect transistors and ultra-wide bandgap materials. More importantly, it will emphasize scientific discoveries in the frontier of nanoelectronic materials and structures. Scientific opportunities in this research include, but are not limited to, quantum-confined structures (nano-tubes/-wires/-dots) and large- scale precise alignment and integration of these structures to create collective behaviors; 2D atomic crystals and their heterostructures; complex heterostructures of 2D crystals, topological insulators, Dirac and Wely semimetals and other dissimilar nanoelectronic materials potentially leading to unique interfacial phenomena; spintronic, valleytronic, and mixed domain (charge/spin/quantum degrees of freedom) device concepts. Of interest are quantum transport phenomena such as ballistic transport and hydrodynamic flow, dissipationless transport in topologically protected edge states, and pseudo-relativistic transport of massless Dirac fermions. Exotic electromagnetic phenomena which require theoretical formulations beyond the well-established Maxwell’s equations, such as axion electrodynamics, chiral anomaly and spontaneous symmetry breaking, are also relevant. Interfacial proximity effects in these heterostructures that lead to unique electromagnetic properties will also be considered.

TOPIC 4 POC: DR. JOE QIU

Email: joe.x.qiu.civ@army.mil

(919) 549-4297

Topic 5: Electrochemistry

This Program supports fundamental electrochemical studies to understand and control the physics and chemistry that govern electrochemical redox reactions and transport of species, and how these are coupled with electrode, catalysis, electrolyte, and interface. Research includes ionic conduction in electrolytes, electrocatalysis, interfacial electron transfer, transport through coatings, surface films and polymer electrolytes, activation of carbon-hydrogen and carbon-carbon bonds, and spectroscopic techniques that selectively probe electrode surfaces and electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Novel electrochemical synthesis, investigations into the effect of microenvironment on chemical reactivity, quantitative models of electrochemical systems, and electrochemistry using excited electrons are also of interest.

This Program is divided into two research thrusts, although other areas of electrochemical research may be considered: (i) Reduction-oxidation (Redox) Chemistry and Electrocatalysis, and (ii) Transport of Electroactive Species.

The Redox Chemistry and Electrocatalysis thrust supports research to understand how material and morphology affect electron transfer and electrocatalysis, to tailor electrodes and electrocatalysts at a molecular level, and to discover new spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques for probing surfaces and selected species on those surfaces.

The Transport of Electroactive Species thrust supports research to uncover the mechanisms of transport through heterogeneous, charged environments such as polymers and electrolytes, to design tailorable electrolytes based on new polymers and ionic liquids, and to explore new methodologies and computational approaches to study the selective transport of species in charged environments.

TOPIC 5 POC: DR. HUGH C. DE LONG

Email: hugh.c.delong.civ@army.mil

(919) 549-4271

Topic 6: Mechanical Behavior of Materials

This program focuses on basic research investigations that enable unprecedented mechanical behaviors across a broad spectrum of advanced structural materials in order to ensure high performance under a variety of extreme and highly variable operational conditions. Experimental, theoretical, and numerical efforts are encouraged, particularly those that promote understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms leading to extraordinary behaviors. Studies may focus on a variety of materials, including: metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and hybrid structures. Research efforts that leverage recent discoveries in other scientific fields, such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Data Science, are also highly encouraged. These investigations are expected to enable transformative capabilities for the Soldier in the areas of protection, movement and maneuver, and sustainability. Current focus areas for this portfolio include, but are not limited to, the following:

Extreme Mechanical Behaviors. This thrust emphasizes novel concepts that enable materials with dramatic improvements in the state-of-the-art for mechanical behaviors, including: energy dissipation, toughness, stiffness, hardness, and resiliency. Areas of interest include new understanding, control, or confinement of deformation mechanisms; exploiting heterogeneous material systems and interface/interphase interactions to enable unprecedented properties while avoiding inherent sub-system weaknesses; and novel approaches for materials to perform in extreme thermomechanical environments. Of particular interest are concepts for exploiting the energy available in extreme mechanical and/or thermomechanical environments to enable materials with extraordinary behaviors.

Active Mechanical Response. This thrust focuses on structural materials that actively respond to dynamic loading environments and other external stimuli through rapid adaptation of shape, topology, and/or mechanical properties. Areas of interest include mitigation or manipulation of stress wave propagation; novel actuation schemes that generate extraordinary forces or that require minimal input energies; and novel material responses initiated through multiaxial loading. Also of interest are concepts for manipulating mechanical forces within materials to lessen or concentrate stress at certain spatial locations, particularly with the consideration of inelastic mechanical behaviors.

TOPIC 6 POC: DR. DAN COLE

Email: daniel.p.cole.civ@army.mil

(919) 549-4371

Topic 7: Synthesis and Processing of Materials

The Synthesis and Processing of Materials program seeks to discover and illuminate the governing processing-microstructure-property relationships to enable optimal design and fabrication of nano or micro structural bulk structural materials. Structural materials refers to materials such as metals, ceramics, and composites that in bulk are used in applications that support or transmit mechanical stresses.

Elucidation of Phase Transformations supports research focused on understanding the mechanisms by which materials transition from one state of matter to another in order to enable the creation of new structural materials. Potential research directions include but are not limited to: discovering the kinetic mechanisms governing phase transformations and new means of manipulating them to encourage or impair phase transformations, defining the relationships between properties of the prior phase and the structural properties of the transformed phase, the creation of specific short-range orders in amorphous materials with unique mechanical characteristics, and new routes or methods for synthesizing structural material phases previously accessible only via extreme pressures or temperatures.

Advanced Methods for Structural Materials Processing supports research focused on developing alternatives to conventional methods for the synthesis and processing of structural materials. Potential research should involve exploring new means and forces in order to establish the technical foundation for new processing methods for structural materials, or further exploring the underlying mechanisms of existing advanced manufacturing methods to enhance their capabilities. Examples of directions to potentially be explored include but are not limited to: ultrasonic arrangement, plasma manipulation and interactions, biological precursors, electromagnetic field interactions, and developing consistency in additive manufacturing processes.

TOPIC 7 POC: DR. MICHAEL P. BAKAS

Email:michael.p.bakas.civ@army.mil

(919) 549-4247 Topic 8: Atomic and Molecular Physics (AMP)

Topics of interest within the AMP Program include (i) quantum degenerate atomic gases, both Bose and Fermi, their excitations and properties, including mixed species, mixed state, and molecular, (ii) quantum enhanced precision metrology, (iii) nonlinear atomic and molecular processes, (iv) quantum systems in cavities, (v) collective and many-body states of matter, and (vi) emerging areas. Cooling schemes for molecules are of importance for extending the range of systems that may be exploited. In addition, there is an interest in emerging areas of AMO physics such as collective states of matter, emergent lattices in quantum gases, opto-mechanical interfaces, non-equilibrium many body dynamics, and metrology in non-ideal environments. Research efforts within the AMP Program fall within two thrust areas: Advanced Quantum Capabilities and Novel Quantum Methods. It is anticipated that research efforts within these areas will lead to applications including novel materials, efficient computational platforms, and exquisite quantum sensors.

Advanced Quantum Many-body Dynamics. The focus of this thrust is the development and study of strongly correlated many-body systems. The quantum simulator portion of the thrust seeks research on novel cooling, trapping, and the expansion of atomic and molecular species. The effort seeks the validation of many-body quantum theories through the development of experimental tools including quantum gas microscopes, synthetic gauge fields, mixed species, and novel interactions. Complimenting this effort will be the inclusion of foundational investigations into quantum mechanics, such as entanglement, many-body localization, collective modes, and entropy. To take advantage of the precision inherent in future quantum devices, these systems will need to connect to the classical world in such a manner that allows them to sample the signal of interest while remaining robust to noisy environments. Investigating how to maximize both the quality and quantity of entanglement within these systems will be a priority. General issues of quantum coherence, quantum interference, entanglement growth, entanglement purity, and non-equilibrium phenomena, as well as discovering new scientific opportunities are also of interest.

Novel Quantum Metrology. The AMP Program has a general interest in exploring fundamental AMP that may impact future Army capabilities. This thrust is divided into two main areas: precision metrology beyond the standard limit and harnessing collective many-body states to improve quantum sensing. The Novel Quantum Metrology efforts will expand the foundations of quantum measurement into new areas that seek to exploit entanglement, spin-squeezing, harnessing collective-spin states, developing back-action avoidance measurements, and other areas that increase fundamental precision through interactions, including cavities and Rydberg atoms. It is expected that research in this thrust will complement efforts in the Advanced Quantum Many-body Dynamics thrust and vice versa. For example, collective many body states could be studied in optical lattices or quantum gas microscopes and foundational research of entanglement are anticipated to provide new metrological capabilities in non-ideal environments.

TOPIC 8 POC: DR. PAUL BAKER

Email: paul.m.baker4.civ@army.mil

(919) 549-4202

Topic 9: Ocean Seabed Characterization

The ONR Ocean Acoustics (OA) and Coastal Geosciences (CG) program share a common interest in the understanding and robust characterization of the seabed in support of naval applications. Knowledge of seabed properties, and both the biotic and abiotic influences on those properties, is essential for predicting geotechnical behavior, hazard potential, and acoustic propagation and reverberation. Growing that knowledge requires an interdisciplinary approach. Of particular interest is the development of a fundamental understanding of biological and geological mechanisms that influence the seabed on a range of time and space scales, and their influence on geophysical and acoustic phenomena. These mechanisms may be related to episodic events, seasonal and climatological changes, and chaotic dynamical systems, and may occur at local, regional, or global scales. Proposed efforts that link to, or enhance, large scale information compilation efforts (e.g., the Ocean Biogeographic Information System, OBIS; Seabed2030) through improved data interpretation, product development, and/or incorporating non-conventional source data, are encouraged. OA and CG interests are broad and include phenomenology, data analytics, modeling, and prediction.

TOPIC 9 POCs:

DR. REGINALD BEACH, LITTORAL GEOSCIENCES AND OPTICS

Email: reginald.a.beach.civ@us.navy.mil

(703) 696-6723

DR. THOMAS WEBER, OCEAN ACOUSTICS

Email: thomas.c.weber16.civ@us.navy.mil

(571) 329-4761

Topic 10: Sustained Adaptability

Sustained adaptability allows a system to adapt to changing environments, demands, contexts, and constraints where a system could be a network, process, platform, etc. Sustained adaptability serves to build resiliency in the operation environment and thus extend the operation envelope beyond the original boundaries. For instance, a network may operate near a tipping point and once the transition occurs, the system experiences a catastrophic failure. In order to prevent the sudden collapse of a system, reduction in brittleness is needed to adapt to new conditions. Supported work includes:

· Models for adaptive variation in the presence of heterogeneity in many dimensions (spatial, temporal, etc.) using novel mathematical and physics based approaches to simplify understanding, evaluation and characterization of networks.

· Decision making in the presence of vulnerability, reduced functionality, disruption, failure, etc. for any generalized complex system. Methods may include aspects or combinations of game theory, nonlinear dynamics, systems theory, networks, pattern formation, evolution & adaptation, structured decision making and collective behavior that can be tailored depending on specific applications.

· Building resiliency in to layered networks of interdependent adaptive units including understanding hidden interdependencies, cross-layer interactions and operations at varying tempos.

· Analysis and processing for complex systems in challenging environments that provides the ability to shift, alter, disrupt, defend, restore, or deter threats, vulnerabilities, or loss of functionality.

TOPIC 10 POC: DR. MEREDITH HUTCHINSON

Email: meredith.n.hutchinson.civ@us.navy.mil

(202) 657-8559

Topic 11: Biological Soft Solid Mechanics

The Biological Soft Solid Mechanics program supports investigation into the structural and damage mechanics of soft materials found in biological organisms, with an emphasis on the human body. A multi-physics approach to definitive description of the constitutive properties will provide a fundamental understanding of soft biological materials. Comprehensive characterization of materials will include cell types; water content; metabolic rates; biologically-important gas solubilities; radio-densities; structural characteristics including anisotropies, multi-axial viscoelastic properties and integration of linear, non-linear and bulk structural elements across scales from subcellular to organ and systems dimension. Responses to acute and repetitive loading from low to very high strain rates, temperature and hydrodynamic pressure effects, chemical and ionic characterization; and other fundamental measures of the constitutive properties are sough. Definitive characterization of soft biological materials and their deformation, disruption, fracture and injury will underlie efforts to incorporate biological systems, such as the human body, into Digital Engineering (DE) efforts within DOD. DE is being used in designing “hard” systems which will interface with “soft biology”. The hard systems include platforms (ships, vehicles), hulls, body-worn equipment, weapons, seating and protective systems. Research efforts in the Biological Soft Solid Materials program should be multi-scalar in terms of spatial (atomistic to continuum scales) and time (sub-seconds to years) dimensions.

The Biological Soft Solid Mechanics program will provide biological material properties to be used in creation of new computational modeling methods appropriate for soft and biological materials, biological digital twins and threads, physical bio-realistic simulants and structural interface designs. The definitive biological system models will offer great advantages in terms of time, effort and cost required to create new military systems that are less likely to interact negatively with associated biological systems, and, thereby, increasing operational lifespan, safety and comfort, and guide needs-based maintenance even while increasing operational force loading (velocities, accelerations, overpressures and impacts).

Research concentration areas include, but are not limited to:

· Creation of methods to characterize biological tissues in terms and properties the same or analogous to those of non-living, non-organic materials used in engineering and systems designs

· Development of methods to record, organize and present biological material properties for use in DE efforts such as the creation of biological digital twins

· Advance the ability of computational models to accurately predict behaviors of biological materials under loading and extreme conditions found in military environments

· Novel measurement methodologies for determining constitutive properties of biological materials

· Viscoelastic characterization of biological materials including influences of anisotropies

· Deformation, damage and fracture mechanics of biological materials

· Elucidation of production methods for creation of biological simulants that incorporate the characteristics and properties of complex systems of composite materials that are biological organs and organisms

TOPIC 11 POC: DR. TIMOTHY BENTLEY

Email: timothy.b.bentley6.civ@us.navy.mil

(703) 696-4251 or (202) 631-5680

Topic 12: Adjustable Wavelength and Pulse Duration Sources and/or Adaptive Optics for Ultra Short Pulse Lasers (USPL)

State-of-the-art mid-infrared pulsed light sources can now exceed the critical power for self-focusing in atmosphere, allowing tens of millijoules of pulse energy to be self-guided in the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and joules of energy in the long-wave infrared (LWIR). New concepts, analysis, and laboratory demonstration for compact and efficient Ultra Short Pulse Lasers (USPL) in the MWIR and LWIR are sought. Novel concept exploration for propagation and control are desired. This includes new concepts for the fundamental behavior of the elements, components, sub-systems, or overall systems for the laser and/or adaptive optics (AO). Special interest are with high average power systems, e.g. kW class, that span a wide range of pulse durations from the nano-second to the sub pico-second. New concepts for the theory and demonstration of adaptive optics for non-linear propagation leading to paths that do not adhere to Helmholtz optical reciprocity principle are also desired. New concepts and theory for USPL propagation through nonlinear materials are sought.

TOPIC 12 POC: DR. QUENTIN SAULTER

Email: quentin.e.saulter.civ@us.navy.mil

(703) 696-2594

Topic 13: Mathematical Optimization

Mathematical Optimization is concerned with the development and implementation of mathematical tools for quantitatively analyzing and suggesting strategic courses of action relative to complex decision problems. The objective is to make optimal usage of scarce resources – where resources can be defined in terms of physical entities such as planes and ships, or can be abstract in terms of time and location. The theory and tools of optimization arise in all branches of engineering, as well as such diverse areas as computer science, economics, finance, and machine learning. Consequently, the development of new fundamental theory and algorithms for more efficiently solving optimization problems is an important area of emphasis for both the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

Mathematical Optimization problems can be deterministic or stochastic, and can have decision variables that are continuous and/or discrete. The Programs at AFOSR and ONR are interested in the development of novel theory, algorithms, and software for more effectively solving decision problems of possible future relevance to the Department of Defense (DoD). Areas of interest include: conic, linear, nonlinear, continuous, discrete, stochastic, and multi-level programming. Solution methodologies include: interior point methods, enumerative strategies, global optimization, cutting planes, decompositions, and mathematical structure exploitation. Both the programs at AFOSR and ONR seek to fund fundamental 6.1 research that advances the field of mathematical optimization.

TOPIC 13 POCs:

DR. WARREN ADAMS, AFOSR/RTA2

Email: warren.adams.2@us.af.mil

(703) 835-6487

DR. DAVID J. PHILLIPS

Email: david.j.phillips127.civ@us.navy.mil

(703) 696-4504

FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

The Basic Research Office anticipates up to $15 million in total funding will be made available for this program to fully fund and award up to twenty five (25) grants up to $600,000 (total cost) each. Each grant award will be funded up to $200,000 (total cost) per year for three (3) years.

Awards are subject to funding availability. There is no guarantee of an award.

Cost sharing or matching is not required or considered as an evaluation criterion, but you may propose voluntary committed cost sharing or matching; for example, additional support for students. Any voluntary committed cost sharing amount will be included in the total award value.

The DEPSCoR-RC award is to an IHE. However, should the awardees transfer IHE, the agency may attempt to accommodate these changes if funds are available and approved by the Basic Research Office. Potential options may include: (1) grant remains at awarded DEPSCoR IHE with a new PI, identified by the DEPSCoR awardee, (2) sub-award to the new IHE of the DEPSCoR awardee (new IHE must be in a DEPSCoR-eligible state/territory), or (3) termination of DEPSCoR grant or any combination of the above. The new PI must meet the stated DEPSCoR-eligibility requirements.

The award start date is determined at the time of the award but is most likely projected for a JULY 2023 start date.

Authority for award under this competition is established in 10 U.S.C. 4001 for basic research. Regulations, terms, and conditions that will apply to the award can be found in Section VI. Federal Award Administration Information.

ADDITIONAL DEPSCoR FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to this DEPSCOR - Research Collaboration FOA, the Basic Research Office anticipates funding up to 4 awards under the DEPSCoR – Capacity Building # FOA-AFRL-AFOSR-2022-0007 to support university capacity building activities in DoD-relevant fields. This additional competitive research funding is separate than this announcement and is also set aside for IHEs in DEPSCoR-eligible States/Territories.

You are strongly encouraged to examine and apply directly to this opportunity as well. The full FOA can be found on grants.gov.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Though this is a collaboration between the Applicant and Collaborator, the Applicant’s IHE will submit the proposal. The Applicant and Collaborator are eligible to apply to this announcement if both are a qualified and responsible IHE and in a DEPSCoR eligible State/Territory as listed in the table below. Applicant institutions are not limited in the number of applications that can be submitted under this FOA.