FA955026S0001 AFOSR Open BAA.pdf

AIR FORCE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

I. OVERVIEW INFORMATION

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), hereafter generally referred to as “we, us, our, or AFOSR,” manages the basic research investment for the Department of the Air Force (DAF), including both the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Space Force (USSF). As a part of the Air Force

Research Laboratory (AFRL), our technical experts discover, shape, and champion research within

AFRL, universities, and industry laboratories to ensure the transition of research results to support

U.S. Air Force and Space Force needs. Using a carefully balanced research portfolio, our research managers seek to foster revolutionary scientific breakthroughs enabling the USAF, USSF and U.S.

industry to produce world-class, militarily significant, and commercially valuable products.

To accomplish this task, we solicit proposals for basic research through this general Broad Agency

Announcement outlining the U.S. Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program. We invite unclassified proposals that do not contain proprietary information for research in many broad areas.

We expect to fund only fundamental research. Our research areas of interest are described in detail in section A. Program Description.

We anticipate many awards in the form of grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or other transactions. We reserve the right to select and fund for award all, some, part, or none of the proposals received. There is no guarantee of an award. Please review the entire announcement for full details.

Hyperlinks have been embedded within this document and appear as underlined, and or 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).

II. BASIC INFORMATION

FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY NAME

Air Force Office of Scientific Research

875 North Randolph Street, STE 325, Room 3112

Arlington, VA 22203

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE

Research Interests of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE

Initial Announcement

ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER

FA955026S0001

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER

12.800 Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program

The authorization to make awards under this funding opportunity may be found via the Assistance Listing

(CFDA) Number on sam.gov.

KEY DATES

This announcement remains open until superseded. We review and evaluate proposals as they are received.

You may submit proposals at any time; however, some specific topic instructions may recommend submission by specific dates that align with funding expectations.

NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NAICS) CODE:

The NAICS code for contracts under this announcement is 541715.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Each award under this announcement will be governed by the general terms and conditions in effect at the time of the award that conform to DoD’s implementation of OMB guidance applicable to financial assistance, as follows:

a. For Universities and Non-Profit Entities, these terms and conditions are identified in Parts 1126 through 1138 of the DoDGARS (2 CFR Parts 1126 through 1138, which comprise 2 CFR 1100

Subchapter D).

b. For For-Profit Entities, requirements to be included in the general terms and conditions are identified in Part 34 of the DODGARS (32 CFR Part 34).

c. For All Entities, National Policy Requirements are identified in Part 1122 of the DoDGARS (2 CFR

Part 1122).

Any resulting awards will be subject to the DoD Research and Development (R&D) General Terms and

Conditions (Ts&Cs), located at: https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions. In addition, the AFRL Addendum to the DoD R&D General Ts&Cs and AFRL Award-Specific Ts&Cs (attached to this FOA) include additional Ts&Cs that may be applicable to any resulting awards. This AFRL document is a supplement to the DoD R&D General

Ts&Cs. To understand the entire AFRL requirement for a given article, the DoD R&D General Ts&Cs must be read in tandem with this document.

GOLD STANDARD SCIENCE (GSS)

In accordance with Executive Order (EO) 14303—Restoring Gold Standard Science (May 2025)

GSS is science conducted in a manner that is:

a. reproducible;

b. transparent;

c. communicative of error and uncertainty;

d. collaborative and interdisciplinary;

e. skeptical of its findings and assumptions;

f. structured for falsifiability of hypotheses;

g. subject to unbiased peer review;

h. accepting negative results as positive outcomes; and,

i. without conflicts of interest

With regards to GSS, applications/proposals shall:

1) include clear benchmarks for measuring success and progress towards relevant goals and a commitment to achieving GSS;

2) identify areas of demonstrating success in implementing GSS; and

3) include a commitment to complying with administration policies, procedures, and guidance respecting GSS. By your submission, you explicitly agree to the following statements:

• Our institution understands the definition of Gold Standard Science as outlined above.

• Our institution and all personnel involved in the proposed project will adhere to all administration policies, procedures, and guidance respecting Gold Standard Science in the execution of this project if funded.

NATIONAL PRIORITY

In accordance with Executive Order 14332, all technical program descriptions contained in this

BAA reflect the basic research priorities for the Department of the Air Force and are defined to advance the administration and agency priorities (c.f., OMB memo M-25-34 “Fiscal Year 2027

Administration Research and Development Budget Priorities and Cross-Cutting Actions”). More information about the Department of the Air Force Priorities can be found at www.af.mil.

http://www.af.mil/

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

AFOSR receives Congressionally appropriated funding to support broad-based scientific and engineering research with the potential to profoundly impact future US Air Force and Space Force capabilities. This general Broad Agency Announcement outlines the U.S. Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program to solicit proposals for basic research. Approximately $200 million is anticipated to be available for support of actions awarded under this announcement, subject to the availability of funds. Research proposals typically are funded between $100,000 and $300,000 per year. Most of our awards are three (3) years in duration.

Awards may be proposed for not more than five (5) years. NOTE: AFOSR will not consider any request for exception above $10,000,000.

AGENCY CONTACTS

JENNIFER BROWN, AFRL/AFOSR/REZH

Contract Specialist

Email: afosr.baa@us.af.mil mailto:afosr.baa@us.af.mil

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. OVERVIEW INFORMATION

II. BASIC INFORMATION

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. ENGINEERING AND COMPLEX SYSTEMS TEAM (RESA)

A.2. INFORMATION AND NETWORKS TEAM (RESA)

A.3. PHYSICAL SCIENCES B RAN C H (RESB)

A.4. BIO-COGNITIVE BRANCH (RESC)

A.5. AFOSR INTERNATIONAL OFFICES

A.6. OTHER INNOVATIVE RESEARCH CONCEPTS

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

C. ELIGIBILITY

C.1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

C.2. COST SHARING

C.3. OTHER

C.4. AFOSR-SPECIFIC FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH SECURITY RISK REVIEW (FRSR) INFORMATION

D. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

D.1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

D.2. APPLICATION CONTENTS

D.3. GRANTS.GOV APPLICATION SUBMISSION

D.4. COMPONENT PIECES OF THE APPLICATION……………………………………………..76

D.5. INFORMATION YOU MUST SUBMIT IF SELECTED FOR POSSIBLE AWARD

D.6. UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI), CAGE, AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………...…85

E. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

E.1. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

E.2. FUNDING RESTRICTION

E.3. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

F. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

F.1. CRITERIA

F.2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

F 3. DISCLOSURE OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING BY CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL91

F.4. NO GUARANTEED AWARD

G. AWARD NOTICES

G.1. SELECTION NOTICES

G.2. ADMINISTRATION AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

H. POST-AWARD REQUIREMNTS AND ADMINISTRATION

H.1. MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRAM PERFORMANCE

H.2. REPORTS

I. OTHER INFORMATION

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Our focus is on research areas that offer significant and comprehensive benefits to our national warfighting and peacekeeping capabilities. These areas are organized and managed in three scientific branches:

• Engineering, Information Science, Mathematics and Collaboration Branch (RESA) o ENGINEERING AND COMPLEX SYSTEMS TEAM o INFORMATION NETWORKS TEAM

• Physical Sciences Branch (RESB)

• Bio-Cognitive Branch (RESC)

A.1. AFRL/RESA Engineering and Complex Systems Team

The Engineering and Complex Systems Team Program Officers and topics are:

SECTION PROGRAM DESCRIPTION PROGRAM OFFICER

A.1.a. Energetic Solid-State Physics and

Mechanochemistry

Dr. Chiping Li

A.1.b. Energy, Combustion, and Non- Equilibrium

Thermodynamics

Dr. Chiping Li

A.1.c. Aerodynamic Sciences Dr. Gregg L. Abate

A.1.d. High-Speed Aerodynamics Dr. Amanda Chou

A.1.e. Aerospace Composite Materials Dr. Ali Sayir

A.1.f. Aerospace Structures Dr. Greg L. Abate

A.1.g. Propulsion and Power Dr. Justin Koo

A.1.h. Agile Science for Test and Evaluation (T&E) Dr. Brett Pokines

Our research areas of interest are described in detail below:

A.1.a. Energetic Solid-State Physics and Mechanochemistry

Program Description: The objective of this portfolio is to understand critical chemical and physical behaviors in solid-state energy systems that arise due to compositional complexity under far-from-equilibrium conditions for game-changing advancements in critical DoD expeditionary systems. Research supported by the portfolio will build the foundational scientific knowledge to understand chemistry and reaction dynamics in heterogenous solid materials, causal pathways for energy release in mechanochemically-stimulated systems, energy localization and the interplay between continuum-level phenomena and molecular evolution, and the implications of shock dynamics on local state property and chemical behaviors. Solutions will necessarily arise from combined efforts utilizing empirical, numerical, and theoretical treatments to interrogate these uncertainties. Basic science advances supported by this portfolio will transition scientific discoveries that will inform the development of the next generation of Department of the Air Force (DAF) solid-state energy systems with a focus on improved energy and power density, operational reliability, ruggedized response to insult, effect-based optimization, and understanding system behavior as a function of age and operating conditions.

Basic Research Objectives: Research proposals are sought that endeavor to elucidate the mechanistic behaviors of energy systems that give rise to emergent property phenomena. Areas of focus include leveraging state-of-the-art capabilities in condensed matter spectroscopy and microscopy to achieve unparalleled resolution into the behavior of solids; advancing numerical techniques to interrogate poorly understood dynamic behaviors of solids under extreme temperatures and pressures;

and developing solid-state energy systems with the intent to study the effects of local chemistry, fine-feature, and domain size on dynamic property behavior.

Leveraging Solid-state Diagnostic Techniques

Examples of research topics covered under this research focus include but are not limited to: attosecond physics observational techniques for solid-state systems, multi-wave mixing spectroscopy techniques for optically opaque systems, high-energy radiation microscopy and spectroscopy, in situ electron and neutron beam techniques, and any diagnostic technique that can causally relate the mechanical condition of a solid system to local chemical evolution.

Advancing Numerical Science

Examples of research topics covered under this research focus include but are not limited to: atomistic numerical techniques to understand non-equilibrium effects on reactive chemistry under high temperatures and pressures: physics-informed, lossless continuum level modeling techniques with vastly improved computational efficiency, converged physical and chemical models to describe energetic system response to insult, chemical kinetics-aware phase field modeling, ab initio modeling of path dependent reactive mixing in solids, and any non-traditional modeling technique that could be used to study the coupling of chemistry and physics in energetically evolving solid-state systems.

Developing Energetic Model Systems

Examples of research topics covered under this research focus include but are not limited to: substances that exhibit chemistry-decoupled energetic behavior, materials with highly non-linear and thermodynamically complex chemical evolution pathways, simplified and instrumentally accessible systems to facilitate understanding of relevant dynamic energetic solids, novel demonstrations of energy system fabrication processes that allow for atomic precision in the distribution of reducing and oxidizing species, material systems that can be used to study how cycle fatigue and age affect energetic solid performance, any model material system that, through observation, improves the current understanding of mechanochemical coupling.

You are highly encouraged to contact our Program Officer prior to developing a full proposal. Aspiring PIs are strongly recommended to carefully read the program BAA and develop a short summary to explain the basic science questions under contention, the current state-of-the-art, how your research would advance it, and the approximate cost for a three (3) to five (5) year effort. The optimal time frame for inquiring about portfolio needs is November-April, but prospective PIs are invited to reach out during any time of the year.

DR. CHIPING LI, AFOSR/RESA

Email: dynamicmaterials@us.af.mil (703) 696-8574

A.1.b. Energy, Combustion and Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics

Program Description: Majority of Air and Space Forces’ system functions rely on the chemical energy stored in energetic molecules, converted into relevant forms, such as momentum through the combustion for propulsion and electricity from the electrochemical process for information processing, system control, direct energy weapon etc. The program supports efforts to explore, understand, describe, simulate/model, and manipulate/control key underlying physical and chemical phenomena/processes in energy supply and conversion, fostering innovative/ unconventional thinking, leading to game-changing capabilities as well as helping with current urgent needs for Air and Space Forces.

Basic Research Objectives: This program seeks broad ranges of basic scientific understanding and knowledge of energy storage and conversion, including but not limited to the four following focused areas:

Non-Equilibrium and Ultra-Fast Energy Conversion: detonation and other forms of locally controlled and compact combustion; non-equilibrium/ high- temperature combustion chemistry, ultra-fast electric energy release and delivery mechanism; non-equilibrium electrochemical and related physical processes, especially relevant to SEI, direct-conversion from chemical to mechanical energy; new space energy cycle/ concept, non-equilibrium energy-information relation; etc.

(1) Multi-Functional and Unconventional Energy Storing Molecules, Materials and Processes: endothermic fuels and propellants; molecules, materials and chemical processes functioning thermochemically, electrochemically, and possibly structurally; sodium based and other unconventional battery chemistry/physics with geo-political and cost advantages; safe battery chemistry/physics for aviation and space exploration, including solid electrolytes, etc.

(2) Phase-Transition of Multi-Component Mixtures: Most Air and Space

Forces’ energy systems involve the phase-transition of multi-component fluids with many unknowns. These phase-transition mailto:dynamicmaterials@us.af.mil behaviors are governed by the intermolecular force and interaction. The objective here is to understand and characterize the underlying molecular interactions for the multicomponent phase transition to explore vast potentials in energy and material sciences by manipulating and controlling these underlying molecular interactions.

(3) Diagnostics, Simulation/Modeling and Data Sciences for Energy

Research: including approaches and methods across large-scale ranges, with ultra-high local temporal and spatial resolutions to probe, understand and describe underlying energy-related physics and chemical processes mentioned above, particularly in multi-phase regimes; diagnostics: insidious pressure measurements, x-ray based spectroscopy with special interests in x-ray CARS (joint interest with

Dynamic Material Interaction program); simulation and modeling: first principle-based multi-physics simulations with special interests in the local refinement and phenomenon capture; advancing data-assimilation science with the focus of using combinations of the data and simulation/modeling to deepen the understanding of the underlying physics and chemistry.

Contact Information: Proposers are highly encouraged to contact the Program

Officer prior to developing a full proposal, preferably by email, to discuss the current state of understanding, how the research would advance it, the approximate cost for a three (3) to five (5) year effort, and if there are any specific submission target dates.

DR. CHIPING LI, AFOSR/RESA

Email: energy@us.af.mil (703) 696-8574

A.1.c. Aerodynamic Sciences

Program Description: The Aerodynamic Sciences portfolio supports basic research of fundamental flowfield physics across a range of conditions. Greater understanding of the fundamentals of the flowfield physics is crucial for exploitation into air vehicle performance gains relevant to the USAF. The portfolio is interested in aerodynamic flowfields arising in both internal and external configurations and extending over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The portfolio seeks to emphasize the characterization, modeling, prediction, and control of flow instabilities, turbulent flows, and aerodynamic fluid-structure/material interactions. A focus on the understanding of the fundamental flow physics, the dynamics and control of aerodynamic shear flows, and interactions of these flows with rigid and flexible surfaces in motion is motivated by an interest in developing physics based predictive models and innovative control concepts for these flows.

Basic Research Objectives: Research in this portfolio is focused on a variety of topics including fluid-structure/material interactions, vortex dominated flows, free and wall-bounded shear layer flows, time-dependent flows, and transitional and turbulent flows.

Greater understanding of these and related topics will lead to improved air vehicle performance relevant to USAF air vehicle configurations. The portfolio maintains an interest in the dynamic interaction between steady and unsteady fluid motion, linear mailto:energy@us.af.mil and nonlinear structural deformations, and aerodynamic control effectors for a wide range of flight regimes.

The portfolio seeks to advance fundamental understanding of complex aerodynamic flowfield phenomena through integration of theoretical, numerical, and experimental approaches. Research incorporating these elements that improve understanding of these complex flows are strongly encouraged. Flowfield studies are expected to involve an approach based on fundamental insight into the dynamics of such flows. 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 also 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 interests. Proposers are highly encouraged to contact the Program

Officer via email prior to developing a full proposal to discuss the current state of the art in their area of interest, how the proposed research would advance it, the approximate cost for a three (3) year effort, and if there are any specific submission target dates.

DR. GREGG L. ABATE, AFOSR/RESA

Email: aerodynamics@us.af.mil

A.1.d. High-Speed Aerodynamics

Program Description: The flow field around a high-speed vehicle strongly influences its size, weight, lift, drag and heating loads. Therefore, research in this area is critical to the U.S. Air and Space Force’s interest in rapid global and regional response and space operations. This portfolio aims to lay the scientific foundation, through discovery, characterization, prediction and understanding of critical phenomena, for game-changing advancements in our understanding of high-speed, high-temperature non-equilibrium flows around flying vehicles. External and internal transitional and turbulent wall-bounded flows are critical to the cadre of problems studied. Such understanding is a pre-requisite to making hypersonic flight routine.

Basic Research Objectives: Proposals are encouraged which leverage recent breakthroughs in other scientific disciplines and foster rapid research advancements in high-speed aerodynamics. It is encouraged that proposed efforts contain a balanced combination of experiments, computations and theoretical efforts. Flight experiments may be sought for obtaining data that cannot be obtained in ground facilities or by state-of-the-art computations. For any experiments proposed, explain how they capture the most sensitive variables for the problem being studied and how they can be used for validation of numerical models or to enhance our understanding of the current gaps in our knowledge of physical processes. The development of new tools and measurement techniques that are necessary to enhance these studies will be considered, but should not be the focal point of a proposed effort. For any numerical efforts explain which variables are the hardest to accurately predict and how the results will be validated with relevant measurements. All proposal submissions should mailto:aerodynamics@us.af.mil be driven by a gap in our scientific understanding of high-speed flow phenomenology with carefully identified approaches to closing that gap. Efforts studying the multi-physics or interaction aspects of these flow phenomena are encouraged to include sensitivity analysis to help determine the dominant physical parameters and mechanisms involved.

Innovative research is sought in all aspects of high Mach number (preferably M>2), high temperature, non-equilibrium flows with particular interest in (not in order of priority):

• Turbulence and transition – development, structure and growth, unsteady flow field characterization, – initial value and eigenvalue approaches for transition prediction, reduced-order models/transport equations for implementation of transition prediction into RANS codes, WMLES approaches, and stability analysis for different modes and multimode transition.

o Enhanced understanding of high-enthalpy/thermochemical nonequilibrium effects o Enhanced understanding of the effects of turbulence/particles in free stream, wall roughness, surface discontinuities (steps and gaps), curvature, angle of attack, etc. on this process are desired o Enhanced understanding of the physical processes that either promote or delay transition and/or shock unsteadiness in high-speed environments to provide possible avenues of mechanism-based flow control o Enhanced understanding of other topics identified in transition-modeling/prediction workshops, such as NASA TM-20240005810

• Fluid-thermal-structure interactions at hypervelocity conditions to include both relevant heating, freestream disturbance environments, and structural boundary conditions

• Development of physics-based models for air ro-vibrational-dissociation and ro-vibrational-translational processes that can be incorporated in CFD solvers without incurring orders of magnitude more time to solve a given problem. Experiments to validate the above models are also sought.

• Characterization of fundamental processes occurring between non-equilibrium flows and reacting surfaces, as well as other ceramic or metallic materials utilized in high-speed flows

• Characterization of naturally occurring atmospheric phenomenology in at high altitudes, receptivity of the flow field to these disturbances, and their effects on high-speed aerodynamics

• Energy transfer mechanisms within high enthalpy flows

• Flight experiments to realize basic science advancement in any of the above areas might be sought.

Ideas that don’t strictly fall into the categories above, but are germane to high-speed aerodynamics, are also welcome. You are highly encouraged to contact our Program

Officer prior to developing a full proposal, in any sub-area, to briefly discuss the current state-of-the-art, how your research would advance it, and the approximate cost for a three (3) to four (4) year effort.

DR. AMANDA CHOU, AFOSR/RESA

Email :

aerothermodynamics@us.af.mil (703)

696-9735

A.1.e. Aerospace Composite Materials

Program Description: This program supports basic research in the design, processing, and characterization of novel composite materials to enable transformative enhancement in their performance through understanding of the chemistry, physics, and mechanics in heterogeneously structured materials. Such materials are aimed to significantly impact the structural design of future U.S. Air

Force and Space Force platforms including airframes, space vehicles, satellites, and a multitude of load-bearing systems. Key scientific areas supported by the program include: collective phenomena in heterogeneous materials, interface science, composite age and cycle evolution, dynamic process effects on properties, and information theory for design tools for composite materials.

Basic Research Objectives: Proposals are sought to advance the understanding of heterogeneously structured materials and the ability to conceptualize novel materials with collective properties not achievable in monolithic materials. Among the routes to achieving game-changing improvements in compositionally and topologically optimized materials, current emphases within the program are: (1) advanced materials with exceptional temperature capabilities; (2) design and processing of configurationally complex materials with controlled disorder; (3) understanding of interfacial phenomenon in heterogeneous systems; and, 4) computation and characterization methodologies to interrogate the behavior of heterogeneous materials in harsh environments.

On dynamic process effects on properties, the priority is placed on high temperature capabilities in polymer resin, fibers/coatings/reinforcements, and ceramics. Potential approaches include, but are not limited to, new chemistry, processing methodology, and novel microstructural configuration by design. The utilization of topological arrangement (phase distribution on nano- to micro-scale), phase transformation, coupling effects, and material texture to optimize macroscopic properties is of interest. Topics of interest on materials processing include, but are not limited to, dynamic covalent polymers, polymer-derived ceramics, organic-inorganic hybrids, and field-assisted sintering. The proposed research must be based on fundamental understanding of the chemistry, thermodynamics, reaction mechanisms and kinetics, short- and long-range coupling, and/or structure-property relationships of the candidate materials. Metal-based materials, while not excluded, are not a priority for the program.

mailto:aerothermodynamics@us.af.mil

The understanding of the interface is important in heterogeneously structured materials. Research emphasis is on the intrinsic properties, time-dependent microstructural evolution, as well as nanomechanical and chemical interactions at the reinforcement-matrix interface. The incorporation of coating or interphase materials to manipulate interfacial characteristics for optimal collective behavior is also of interest.

Research ideas on computational modeling that aim to understand and predict the mechanical and chemical evolution of topologically complex materials in harsh environments are sought. Concepts to elucidate and mitigate material degradation under ablative, plasma-rich, oxidative, and/or space radiation-present conditions are of particular interest. Experimental validation of the computational results is highly desirable. Advanced characterization techniques capable of isolating and quantifying material response on proper spatial and time scales are also of interest to the program.

You are highly encouraged to contact the Program Officer prior to developing a full proposal to discuss the current state-of-the-art how your research would advance it, and any submission target dates. To initiate the discussion, submit via email a short research summary that describes the fundamental science to be investigated.

Alternatively, you may submit pre-proposal that describes the research concept, objective and approach, scientific significance, and the expected outcome. The pre-proposal is limited to two pages (text and legible graphics). A short budget statement on the approximate cost for a three (3) to five (5) year effort must be provided. A third page containing key references may be included. Presentation viewgraphs are not an acceptable form of pre-proposal. The research focus must be on fundamental science and not on solving an engineering problem. If the concept is considered of interest to the Aerospace Composite Materials program and funding is available, an invitation to submit a full proposal submission may be extended.

DR. ALI SAYIR, AFOSR/RESB

Email: ACMaterials@us.af.mil

(703) 696-7236

A.1.f. Aerospace Structures

Program Description: The goals of this research program are to integrate newly emerging classes of aerospace structures and materials, novel functional material systems or devices, programmable meta-architectures, intelligent subsystems, stimuli responsive surfaces, structural dynamics, and their combinations into load-carrying and/or multifunctional structures to achieve unprecedented US Air Force and Space

Force system performance. The program seeks to establish fundamental understanding required to revolutionize functionality of new aerospace structures and materials to enable futuristic concepts of structural design.

Basic Research Objectives: The program seeks the fundamental understanding of critical science for the development of next-generation aerospace vehicle structures by establishing theoretical models, physical models, analytical methods, numerical simulations, and/or predictive methodologies. The program promotes basic research which aims to conceive and implement new aerospace structural and/or material mailto:LDMaterials@us.af.mil concepts for revolutionary improvement of performance for future US Air Force and

Space Force platforms. This includes the design, development, and integration of emerging classes of materials, subsystems, material-structure interfaces and surfaces into load-carrying and/or multifunctional structures.

Multifunctionality refers to coupling structural performance and as-needed novel functionalities to deliver significant improvements in system-level efficiency. The various visionary concepts for developing multifunctionality include:

(1) “autonomic” structures which can sense, diagnose, and respond for adjustment with minimum external intervention and self-learning capabilities;

(2) “adaptive” structures which allow for the reconfiguration or readjustment of shape, functionality, and/or mechanical properties on demand; and,

(3) “architected” materials and systems which enable revolutionary vehicle capabilities.

The program focuses on new load carrying structural concepts and materials, novel functional material systems or devices, metamaterials and architectures, structural dynamics, and combinations thereof enabling revolutionary macroscale structures that must perform in extreme environments such as electromagnetic, mechanical, thermal and acoustic or any combination thereof. The design and evaluation of such structures may need to be carried out at multiple scales from atoms to continuum to achieve unprecedented system performance. The radical performance sought will require combining several scientific disciplines beyond multiscale mechanics.

Critical, high-risk research opportunities include but are not limited to:

(1) multiscale/multi-physics characterization and modeling (spatial and temporal) of structural behavior, structural dynamics, failure mechanisms, damage tolerance, and life prediction of aerospace structures;

(2) non-conventional fabrication of structural components via the integration of dissimilar materials into hybrid structures with multi-material joints and/or multiscale composite interfaces;

(3) multifunctional structures integrated with emerging classes of structural load carrying materials, novel functional material systems or devices, programmable meta-architectures, stimuli responsive surfaces, and intelligent subsystems;

(4) emerging computing architectures and artificial intelligence (AI) applied to multifunctional structures to explore properties of novel applications, such as

“autonomic” systems which can sense, diagnose, and respond for adjustment with self-learning capabilities;

(5) exploiting the “sense-assess-respond” feedback loop through novel material-structure-system integration/distribution relying on materials-aware information theory and network science, surrogate modeling for coupled-physics phenomena, and inverse materials design optimization;

(6) revolutionary structural concepts involving novel topologies across scales, controlled-flexibility distributed-actuation, unprecedented flight configurations from morphing of shape, size or local properties of structural components, and self-repair/self-healing/regeneration capabilities; and,

(7) innovative measurement, control, and experimentation techniques of structural components.

Researchers are highly encouraged to contact the Program Officer prior to developing a full proposal to briefly discuss the current state-of-the-art, how the proposed research would advance it, the approximate cost for a nominal three (3) effort, and if there are any specific submission target dates.

DR. GREGG ABATE, AFOSR/RESA

Email: structural.mech@us.af.mil

A.1.g. Propulsion and Power

Program Description: The Propulsion and Power Portfolio seeks to expand knowledge discovery to enable enhanced maneuver and power capabilities across the aerospace domain. In tandem, this portfolio seeks to pioneer new approaches and research innovations to dramatically accelerate the underlying rate of discovery.

Basic Research Objectives: Current research objectives of interest in this technology area include improved understanding of:

• Partially ionized, nonequilibrium molecular plasmas including plasma-surface interactions, space environmental effects, mode transitions, and plasma transport mechanisms;

• Reactive multiphase interfaces where small length scales, short time scales, electric fields, and chemical energy release/capture drive the system state away from equilibrium; and,

• Thermophysical and electrochemical properties of multicomponent mixtures over timescales ranging from operational to lifetime with a focus on extreme environmental conditions.

An underlying motivation to advance potentially disruptive propulsion and power concepts is welcome but the focus of successful proposals will be on identification of impactful knowledge gaps and farsighted, high payoff research approaches. Research outcomes from this proposal will support the future development of DoD-relevant capabilities such as enhanced robustness, improved lifetime assessment, and accelerated performance enhancement for in-space, boost, and missile propulsion and power systems.

Furthermore, given the fundamentally interdisciplinary nature of this portfolio, major opportunities exist for collaboration with researchers from outside this portfolio.

Researchers should also consult the programs in Energy, Combustion and Non-

Equilibrium Thermodynamics, Energetic Solid State Physics and Mechanochemistry, Aerospace Materials for Extreme Environments, Molecular Dynamics and mailto:structural.mech@us.af.mil

Theoretical Chemistry, Dynamical Data and Information Processing, Computational

Mathematics, and other programs as described in this announcement to find the best match for the research in question.

Proposers are strongly encouraged to contact the Program Officer prior to developing a full proposal to discuss its relationship to this basic research portfolio, specific details/innovations of the proposed research strategy in the context of the current state of understanding in this field, the approximate cost for a three (3) to five (5) year effort, and if there are any specific submission target dates. Collaborative efforts with the Air Force Research Laboratory are encouraged, but not required.

DR. JUSTIN KOO, AFOSR/RESA

Email: space.power@us.af.mil

(703) 696-8568

A.1.h. Agile Science for Test and Evaluation (T&E)

Program Description: The Agile Science for Test and Evaluation (T&E) program supports basic research inventing and innovating revolutionary capabilities responsive to the Air Force and Space Force T&E community. Crossing scientific frontiers necessitates enhancing and pioneering test and measurement capabilities. The program sponsors basic research in areas enabling metrology and facilitating correct and comprehensive interpretation of test information. Agile science of test and evaluation leads to improving the ability to analyze and model operational environments, pursue science discoveries, and accelerate research & acquisition. The AFOSR T&E program encompasses three (3) broadly-defined, overlapping thrust areas: Autonomy, Hypersonics, and Cyber & Microelectronics. The Program is closely aligned with other

AFOSR science areas advancing experimental methodologies and merging scientific disciplines.

Basic Research Objectives: The AFOSR T&E program is closely engaged with technical experts at the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) organizations including Arnold, Edwards, Eglin and Holloman Air Force Bases, who help guide the program on basic research objectives. Basic research in areas that advance the science of testing is broadly defined and spans mathematics as well as most disciplines in engineering and the physical sciences. Areas include, but are not limited to:

• Novel measurement techniques, materials, and instruments that enable accurate, rapid, and reliable test data collection of physical, chemical, mechanical, and flow parameters in extreme environments, such as those encountered during transonic flight, hypersonic flight, and the terminal portion of weapons engagement;

• Accurate, fast, robust, integrable models reducing requirements to test or help provide greater understanding of test results;

• Advanced algorithms and computational evaluation techniques that are applicable to new generations of computers, including massively parallel, quantum, and neuromorphic machines;

• Advanced algorithms and test techniques that allow rapid and accurate mailto:space.power@us.af.mil assessment of devices and methods to cyber vulnerability;

• New processes and devices that increase bandwidth utilization and allow rapid, secure transfer of test data to control facilities during test;

• Advanced mathematical techniques that improve design of experiment or facilitate confident comparison of similar but disparate tests;

• Advanced models of test equipment and processes that improve test reliability and efficiency;

• New or advanced science that enable revolutionary test and measurement; and,

• Basic research in other T&E areas that advances the science of test and contributes to the development of knowledge, skills, and abilities for the AF

T&E community.

You are highly encouraged to contact our Program Officer prior to developing full proposals to briefly discuss program alignment. You should be prepared to explain why your proposed effort should be considered basic research, how it is unique to Test

Science, and demonstrate an awareness of the Air Force and Space Force T&E process.

Collaborative efforts with the Air Force Test Center and Air Force Research Laboratory are encouraged, but not required.

DR. BRETT POKINES, AFOSR/RESA

Email: tande@us.af.mil

(703) 588-1772

A.2. AFOSR/RESA INFORMATION AND NETWORKS TEAM

The Information and Networks Team Program Officers and topics are:

A.2.a. Computational Mathematics Dr. Fariba Fahroo

A.2.b. Dynamical Systems and Control Theory Dr. Frederick Leve

A.2.c. Dynamic Data and Information

Processing

Dr. Erik Blasch

A.2.d. Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Dr. Tristan N. Nguyen

A.2.e. Mathematical Optimization Dr. Warren Adams

A.2.f. Science of Information, Computation, Learning, and Fusion

Dr. Richard D. (Doug) Riecken

A.2.g. Complex Networks Dr. Donald K. Wagner mailto:tande@us.af.mil

Our research areas of interest are described in detail below:

A.2.a. Computational Mathematics

Program Description: This program seeks to develop innovative mathematical methods and fast, reliable and scalable algorithms aimed at making radical advances in computational science and large-scale engineering and design. Research in computational mathematics underpins the fundamental understanding of complex physical phenomena and leads to predictive simulation capabilities that are crucial to the design and control of future U.S. Air Force and Space Force systems, and their lifetime expectancy.

Proposals to this program should focus on fundamental scientific and mathematical innovations and should have the potential to address some of the most important computational challenges in science and engineering. Additionally, it is desirable to frame the basic research ideas in the context of applications relevant to the U.S. Air

Force and Space Force, which can serve simultaneously to focus the research and to provide avenues for transition of basic research outcomes into practice. Applications of current Air Force and Space Force interest include, but are not limited to, quantum physics and quantum information systems, plasma dynamics, turbulence (e.g., in fluids, combustion, plasma), lasers and directed energy, aero-thermo-dynamics, information science, data analysis (including machine learning), and material and structural sciences.

Basic Research Objectives: Research under this program has traditionally emphasized schemes that address the discretization and numerical solution of complex systems of equations, generally partial differential equations derived from physical models.

However, alternative computational approaches are of keen interest, particularly in connection with emerging and multidisciplinary applications. Increased emphasis in this portfolio is placed on approaches that can handle a very high number of dimensions, uncertainty and stochasticity for non-Markovian processes, far from equilibrium conditions, and/or a wide range of scales (space, time, physical parameters, or complexity). Research areas of particular interest currently include:

• Mathematical methods for complexity reduction of high-dimensional, non-linear and multiscale problems, e.g., via projection-based methods and/or new machine- learning concepts. Such systems may have continuous, discrete or mixed representations, and may reside on graphs with evolving topology;

• Mathematical approaches to the modeling of non-equilibrium statistical processes and turbulent dynamics with multiple physical interactions and large parameter spaces; of special interest are methods which effectively allow bi- directional transfer of information across scales, and can simultaneously reduce the computational burden while preserving the correct physics of interaction, including conservation laws and instability regimes;

• Highly efficient and accurate methods for high-dimensional, nonlinear and stochastic dynamics with constraints; and,

• Traditional computational methods involving high-order spatial and temporal algorithms remain of interest, if they have the potential for significant breakthrough and are able to meet the formidable computational challenges associated with current and future engineering problems of interest to the U.S.

Air Force and Space Force.

The list above is not exhaustive and other approaches can be suggested to the Program

Officer, who can then determine if a proposal is warranted and of potential interest. All proposed methods must be innovative, have quantifiable measures of fidelity, efficiency and adaptively, must be based on rigorous analysis and preferably demonstrated on canonical challenge and grand challenge problems.

You are encouraged to contact our Program Officer prior to developing a full proposal to briefly discuss the current state-of-the-art, how your research would advance it, the approximate cost for a three (3) to five (5) year effort, and if there are any specific submission target dates.

DR. FARIBA FAHROO, AFOSR/RESA

Email: comp.math@us.af.mil

(703) 696-8429

A.2.b. Dynamical Systems and Control Theory

Program Description: This program emphasizes the interplay of open dynamical systems and control theories, with the aim of developing innovative synergistic strategies for the design and analysis of controlled systems that enable radically enhanced capabilities, including performance and operational efficiency for future U.S. Air Force and Space Force systems. Only high-risk, and high-impact basic research on the mathematics of analysis and control theory for complex dynamical systems will be considered. Proposals should focus on the fundamental science and mathematics, while having relevance to future Air Force and Space Force systems and operations.

These applications currently include, but are not limited to, cyber/physical systems, biological and neurological systems, quantum systems, as well as autonomous/semi-autonomous aerial vehicles, munitions, and space vehicles. Note that research specifically restricted to an Air Force and Space Force application may not be considered fundamental research; therefore, future Air Force and Space Force applications should only be mentioned as examples or possibly motivations for fundamental theory in dynamical systems and control theory.

The dramatic increase in complexity of Air Force and Space Force systems provides unique challenges for the Dynamical Systems and Control Theory Program. Meeting these challenges may require interdisciplinary approaches as well as deeper studies within single disciplines.

Lastly, note that the Dynamical Systems and Control Theory Program places special emphasis on mathematically rigorous techniques addressing realistic treatment of applications, complexity management, autonomous and semi-autonomous systems, and mailto:comp.math@us.af.mil real-time operation in stochastic and adversarial environments.

Basic Research Objectives: Current research interests include: algebraic, topological, and geometric methods of dynamical analysis of controlled complex systems for the purpose of real-time control; control of ensemble and infinite dimensional systems including PDE control; deterministic time and/or real-time reachability; considering constraints, uncertain, information rich, dynamically changing, networked environments with time-varying topologies; robust and adaptive non-equilibrium control of nonlinear processes where the primary objective is enhanced operability rather than just local stability; new methods for understanding and mitigating the effects of uncertainties in dynamical processes where uncertainty distribution is non-Gaussian; novel theory for control of hybrid systems that can intelligently manage actuator, sensor, and processor communications in a complex, spatially distributed and evolving system of systems;

sensor rich, data driven adaptive control; and, applying control concepts motivated by studies of biological systems. Developments from nontraditional areas of applied mathematics such as applied algebra, geometry, and topology for the benefit of analysis and control synthesis of complex dynamical systems is also of interest. Furthermore, mathematical theory that is also applicable to more expressive representations of complex dynamics systems (e.g., hyper- and multi-graphs rather than graphs) is also welcome.

In general, the control of large complex, multi-scale, hybrid, highly uncertain nonlinear systems is of increasing interest. Furthermore, new mathematics in clear support of dynamics and control is of fundamental importance to this portfolio. In this regard, some areas of interest include, but are not limited to, hybrid dynamical systems theory, geometric and algebraic methods of dynamics and control, stochastic and adversarial systems, control of cyber physical systems with formal specifications, emerging areas of control theory, graph theoretic control theory over nonlinear dynamics at nodes of graphs, partial and corrupted information, nonlinear control and estimation, and novel computational techniques specifically aimed at control of systems with large data.

You are highly encouraged to contact our Program Officer prior to developing a full proposal to briefly discuss the current state-of-the-art, how your research would advance it, and the approximate cost for a three (3) to five (5) year effort.

DR. FREDERICK LEVE, AFOSR/RESA

Email: dycontrol@us.af.mil

(703) 696-9730

A.2.c. Dynamic Data and Information Processing

Program Description: The portfolio seeks mathematical concepts that dynamically incorporate additional data, whether measured or from models, into an executing application to coordinate dynamic measurement collections, model refinements, and system awareness. Examples include dynamic data driven applications systems

(DDDAS), physics-enhanced machine learning (PEML), and…