Basic Scientific Research

To support basic research, and enhance fundamental knowledge in the chemical, life, physical, engineering, materials, mechanical, computing, information, network, mathematical, earth, and social sciences, related to long-term national security needs.

The goal of the awards against this listing is to pursue high-risk, high-payoff ideas in basic science, to discover, innovate, and transition science and technology to ensure dominant strategic land power, now and into the future.

Eligible applicants under this BAA include institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, foreign organizations, foreign public entities, and for-profit organizations (i.e. large and small businesses). Awards will not be made to individuals.

Investigators and resulting awardees.

Basic Research in the mathematical, physical, engineering, biological and geosciences providing knowledge necessary for the Army to make informed decisions about further exploratory development to provide the technology base from which Army capabilities are drawn. Partial support of symposia in the listed disciplines. Programs to encourage careers in science and engineering by supporting outstanding graduate, undergraduate and high school students pursuing studies in areas of Army concern. Programs to increase the number of science and engineering graduates from under-represented minority groups. Programs providing means for universities to buy major, high-cost research equipment.

If there are funding restrictions it will be included in the particular funding announcements, other than included there are no other funding restrictions associated with the Funding opportunity announcement (e.g. direct costs, indirect costs, etc.).

The length of time for which support is requested should be consistent with the nature and complexity of the proposed research. It is preferred that proposals submitted cover a three year period with each year proposed as a severable unit. The maximum period acceptable for a research proposal is five years.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to make a preliminary inquiry by first contacting the ARL Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to discuss your ideas and the interests of ARL. ARL receives several hundred research proposals annually and is able to provide support for only a limited number of the 20 proposals received. ARL realizes the preparation of a research proposal often represents a substantial investment of time and effort by the applicant. Therefore, in an attempt to minimize this burden, ARL TPOCs are available to discuss the general need for the type of research effort contemplated and availability of funding before an interested applicant expends extensive effort in preparing a whitepaper or full proposal. The TPOC names, telephone numbers, and email addresses are listed with each research Topic at the ARL BAA topics website, https://arl.devcom.army.mil/opportunities/arl-baa/ , and they should be contacted, as appropriate, prior to the submission of whitepapers or proposals. *NOTE: The Government will not be obligated by any discussion that arises out of preliminary inquiries. Prospective proposers are strongly encouraged to submit whitepapers prior to the submission of a complete, more detailed proposal. Whitepapers are not full proposals and are meant to provide the ARL TPOC with enough information to determine if there is interest on the part of ARL to receive a full proposal. See Broad Agency Announcement.

i. The overall scientific and/or technical merits of the proposal. ii. The potential contributions of the effort to the Army mission and the extent to which the research effort will contribute to balancing the overall Army research program. iii. The qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed PI, team leader, or other key personnel who are critical to achievement of the proposed objectives.

Upon receipt of a proposal, the ARO scientific staff will perform an initial review of its scientific merit and potential contribution to the Army mission and also determine if funds are expected to be available for the effort. Proposals not considered to have sufficient scientific merit or relevance to the Army's needs or those in areas for which funds are not expected to be available may be declined without further review. Proposals not declined as a result of the initial review may be subject to an extensive peer review by highly qualified scientists from within the government and leading scientists and other preeminent experts outside the government. Each proposal will be evaluated based on the evaluation factors specified in the particular announcement. An example of evaluation criteria include: (1) overall scientific and/or technical merits; (2) military and program relevance; (3) capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of these; (4) qualifications, capabilities and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader or other key personnel; and reasonableness and realism of proposed costs. If selected for award, the proposal is incorporated into a grant document and the awardee agrees to perform the research described therein.

Formal proposals are normally reviewed and notification made within six months from submission. Grant awards are usually made within three months from notification.

Once a grant is awarded, any follow-on research proposal is treated as a new request. Follow-on work should allow for the review time noted in the "award procedure" above.