Aerospace Medicine, Clinical Research, Human Performance, and Expeditionary Medicine | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) released by the Department of Defense through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and its 711th Human Performance Wing. The BAA is titled "Aerospace Medicine, Clinical Research, Human Performance, and Expeditionary Medicine" and is identified as Funding Opportunity Number BAA AFRL RQKHC 2016 0009.

What is the main goal of the BAA?

The purpose is to attract innovative, state-of-the-art research concepts that improve how the Air Force and the broader defense community protect and sustain personnel in demanding operational environments. The BAA is structured to build a pipeline of ideas that could lead to invitations for full proposals and, ultimately, funded projects.

Is the BAA asking for one specific project?

No. This is not a solicitation for a single narrowly defined project. The BAA is designed to collect multiple research concepts across several mission areas and support a portfolio of efforts.

What should applicants submit first?

The stated entry point is a short white paper. The white paper is used to communicate the technical concept, what is novel about it, why it matters to the mission areas in the BAA, and how it could lead to measurable impact. White papers may be used by the government to determine whether to invite a more detailed full proposal.

What research areas does the BAA cover?

The BAA spans several interconnected mission areas, including Force Health Protection, en route care, operational medicine, expeditionary medicine, and human performance and systems integration.

What does Force Health Protection mean in the context of this BAA?

Based on the description provided, Force Health Protection includes concepts that help prevent injury and illness and improve how personnel are protected and sustained in operational environments.

What is meant by en route care?

En route care refers to medical decision-making and care during transport, such as moving patients by air or between levels of care. Concepts that improve outcomes, decisions, or capabilities during transport fit this area.

What kinds of topics fit under operational and expeditionary medicine?

Operational and expeditionary medicine, as described, relate to strengthening medical capability in operational settings, including environments where resources may be constrained and conditions may be demanding. Concepts that improve medical readiness and care delivery in those contexts are relevant.

What is meant by human performance and systems integration?

This area emphasizes solutions that consider the operator-in-system picture. It suggests interest in how equipment, environments, workload, fatigue, training demands, physiological limits, and operational requirements interact, and how those factors can be addressed to enhance performance and resilience.

What category of funding does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 12.800, which is commonly used for Air Force research and development funding.

What types of awards or agreements might be used?

The agency indicated multiple possible funding instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, and procurement contracts. This implies the government may choose the instrument that best fits the nature of the work, the expected deliverables, and the level of government involvement.

Why does it matter whether it is a grant, cooperative agreement, or procurement contract?

The mix of instruments signals flexibility in how projects may be structured. Assistance-style awards (grants or cooperative agreements) and acquisition-style contracts can differ in expectations around deliverables and how directly the government participates in the effort. The BAA indicates that the selection of instrument may depend on the specific project approach.

How many awards does the BAA anticipate making?

The announcement anticipated up to 40 awards, suggesting an intent to fund multiple efforts rather than a single large program.

Is there an award ceiling or maximum award amount stated?

No specific award ceiling was stated in the provided information.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted. This typically means a broad range of applicants may be eligible, potentially including universities, nonprofit research organizations, small businesses, large businesses, and other capable entities, subject to any additional conditions contained in the full announcement.

When was the opportunity posted?

The posting date (and creation date) provided was March 2, 2016.

What is the submission closing date?

The listed closing date for submissions was March 1, 2021.

Is this a long-running BAA?

Yes. The dates provided indicate it was open for an extended period, which is consistent with BAAs that accept and evaluate ideas over time rather than through a single short application window.

What happens after submitting a white paper?

The BAA indicates that white paper concepts could lead to more detailed proposals. In practice, the government may review the white paper for relevance and merit and then invite selected submitters to provide a full proposal for potential funding.

What kinds of outcomes is the government trying to achieve through this BAA?

Based on the description provided, the desired outcomes include improved prevention of injury and illness, better care and decision-making during patient transport, stronger medical capability in operational and expeditionary settings, and enhanced performance and resilience of airmen and other personnel.

Which organizations within the Air Force are associated with this BAA?

The BAA was released through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and its 711th Human Performance Wing.

What is the official identifier for this opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Number provided is BAA AFRL RQKHC 2016 0009.

Does the BAA focus only on the Air Force?

While the focus is on improving how the Air Force protects and sustains personnel, the description also references the broader defense community, indicating relevance beyond the Air Force alone.