Opportunity Information: Apply for USAFA BAA 2015 CALL 0008
This funding opportunity, titled "Research on the Use of Autonomy and Unmanned Vehicles in Support of USAF Operations" (USAFA BAA 2015 CALL 0008), is run by the Department of Defense through the U.S. Air Force Academy, specifically the Academy Center for Cyberspace Research (ACCR). The core purpose is to sponsor new, fundamental research in artificial intelligence and autonomy that both advances technical capability and directly strengthens how AI and autonomous systems are taught. While the title references autonomy and unmanned vehicles in operational support, the description makes clear that a major priority is using research outcomes to inform modern, hands-on AI/autonomy education, with results that can be translated into curriculum materials at USAFA and potentially reused by public educational institutions.
ACCR is positioned as a broad computer and cyber science research hub supporting the Air Force, DoD, and other government and commercial sponsors. It emphasizes a strong student-research model: cadets in computer science and cyber science are expected to gain research experience through independent studies, course projects, and summer research. The center lists four main focus areas: system security analysis, immersive environments (virtual and augmented reality), artificial intelligence and autonomy, and big-data analytics. At the same time, it notes flexibility to take on other computer and cyber science topics when there is enough faculty and cadet interest, which signals that proposals can be interdisciplinary as long as they connect credibly to AI/autonomy and the Academy's educational and mission needs.
The opportunity highlights that USAFA has substantial facilities and technical infrastructure available to support funded work. These capabilities include network and platform vulnerability analysis; industrial control systems/SCADA security analysis; provably secure software development; network security stack analysis; VR/AR application development; high-performance computing; robotics and unmanned systems design, analysis, and operation; and unmanned aerial swarms and multi-vehicle cooperation. In practical terms, this suggests they are looking for projects that can be executed with real systems, realistic datasets, and hands-on experimentation rather than purely theoretical work, especially where the research can be integrated into cadet projects and demonstrations.
The call is explicitly focused on fundamental research that leads to new, novel pedagogical approaches for AI and autonomous systems education. That means proposals are expected to address both (1) technical AI/autonomy content such as algorithms, methods, and techniques, and (2) education research components such as best practices for teaching those techniques, effective instructional designs, and approaches that improve learning outcomes. A key deliverable concept embedded in the description is producing data and evidence that could enable the creation of lesson plans, exercises, and classroom activities that embody the research-backed methods. The goal is for those outputs to serve as the foundation for new AI/AS curricula at USAFA and to be adaptable beyond the Academy.
A distinctive feature of the call is the requirement to actively involve cadets through hands-on mentoring, with research aligned to senior capstone projects that explore AI/autonomous system concepts. The Academy is looking for a tight loop where newly developed concepts can be deployed rapidly in project settings to answer research questions in near real time. In other words, the research is not only about inventing or analyzing AI/autonomy methods, but also about validating them through mentored student build/test cycles that can quickly generate insights, data, and educational artifacts.
Expected outputs go beyond normal grant reporting. The work is expected to produce scholarly contributions suitable for conferences and journal articles, implying that rigorous methodology and publishable results are important. The sponsor also expects briefings and presentations during the period of performance, and a final report submitted to USAFA DFCS that covers the research elements derived entirely from the AI/autonomous systems studies conducted under the award. The emphasis on a final report grounded in the AI/AS work suggests they want a cohesive narrative of what was tested, what was learned (technically and pedagogically), and what can be operationalized into curriculum or further research.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition is open to a wide range of applicants (academia, industry, nonprofits, etc.), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement. The funding instruments include cooperative agreements, grants, and procurement contracts, which indicates the Academy may choose the instrument that best matches the needed level of government involvement and deliverable structure. The funding activity category is research and development (Science and Technology), with CFDA number 12.800, consistent with defense R&D assistance.
In terms of scale and timing, the opportunity was posted with a creation date of July 29, 2019 and an original closing date of August 30, 2019. The award ceiling is $420,000, and the announcement anticipates a single award. That combination usually implies a relatively focused effort with a clear set of research tasks and education-focused deliverables, rather than a large multi-team program.
One of the most important constraints is that projects must be new research efforts. The call discourages proposals that are essentially continuations of previously funded work under earlier grants or cooperative agreements. Applicants would be expected to show novelty in both the AI/autonomy research questions and the educational approach, and to demonstrate how the project uniquely leverages cadet participation and ACCR resources to produce results that can be translated into teaching materials and publishable scholarship.Apply for USAFA BAA 2015 CALL 0008
- The Department of Defense, Air Force Academy in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research on the Use of Autonomy and Unmanned Vehicles in Support of USAF Operations" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.800.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 29, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 30, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $420,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Democracy Indicators Monitoring Survey 3 (DIMS3)
Previous opportunity: Rural and Small Urban Transit Applied Technology Technical Assistance Center
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USAFA BAA 2015 CALL 0008
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USAFA BAA 2015 CALL 0008) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Creating Accessible Natural Park Resource Information Apply for P19AS00440 Funding Number: P19AS00440 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $41,063 |
| NSF/Intel Partnership on Machine Learning for Wireless Networking Systems Apply for 19 591 Funding Number: 19 591 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Chronic Pain Management Research Program, Investigator-Initiated Research Award Apply for W81XWH 19 CPMRP IIRA Funding Number: W81XWH 19 CPMRP IIRA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Chronic Pain Management Research Program, Translational Research Award Apply for W81XWH 19 CPMRP TRA Funding Number: W81XWH 19 CPMRP TRA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| HERO Appendix A: NASA Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions Apply for 80JSC019N0001 FLAGSHIP Funding Number: 80JSC019N0001 FLAGSHIP Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Johnson Space Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| HERO Appendix B: NASA Human Research Program Omnibus Opportunity Apply for 80JSC019N0001 OMNIBUS Funding Number: 80JSC019N0001 OMNIBUS Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Johnson Space Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I Apply for 80HQTR19NOA01 20NIAC A1 Funding Number: 80HQTR19NOA01 20NIAC A1 Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Desert Southwest CESU Apply for G19AS00111 Funding Number: G19AS00111 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $65,000 |
| Endangered Species Conservation - Recovery Implementation Funds Apply for F19AS00330 Funding Number: F19AS00330 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Minerva Research Initiative Apply for WHS AD FOA DECUR 19 Funding Number: WHS AD FOA DECUR 19 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Energy-Efficient Technologies for Automated Vehicles (AVs) Apply for DE FOA 0002163 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002163 Agency: Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| State Local Tribal Territorial Indicators of Compromise Automation Pilot Apply for PD SLP 19 001 Funding Number: PD SLP 19 001 Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| National Cyber Security Awareness Apply for PD SLP 19 002 Funding Number: PD SLP 19 002 Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| DoD Reconstructive Transplant Research Program, Qualitative Research Award Apply for W81XWH 19 RTRP QRA Funding Number: W81XWH 19 RTRP QRA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY2020 SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 1 Apply for DE FOA 0002145 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002145 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| National Cyber Security Awareness Apply for DHS 19 CISA 128 SLT 002 Funding Number: DHS 19 CISA 128 SLT 002 Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| State Local Tribal Territorial Indicators of Compromise Automation Pilot Apply for DHS 19 CISA 128 SLT001 Funding Number: DHS 19 CISA 128 SLT001 Agency: Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Assessing Status of Residual Populations of Threatened Bats Apply for P19AS00501 Funding Number: P19AS00501 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $72,500 |
| CAVE Cultural Landscapes Inventory Update for Rattlesnake Sprin Apply for P19AS00527 Funding Number: P19AS00527 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $112,415 |
| Research Efforts in Support of Investigation, Documentation and A Apply for P19AS00529 Funding Number: P19AS00529 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $195,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USAFA BAA 2015 CALL 0008", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.