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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ARL Research Associateship Program (RAP)

1) What is the ARL Research Associateship Program (RAP)?

The ARL Research Associateship Program (RAP) is a U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) grant opportunity to establish and operate a formal associateship (fellowship-style) program that brings high-potential scientists, engineers, and postsecondary students into ARL to conduct fundamental research.

2) What is the main goal of RAP?

The program is designed to support scholarly, original research that advances science and technology. A core aim is to strengthen or stimulate ARL basic and applied research efforts while allowing Fellows to pursue research problems that are largely of their own choosing, as long as they align with ARL interests and can be carried out within ARL's environment.

3) What kind of research does RAP support?

RAP supports fundamental research framed as scholarly and original work. The research is intended to advance science and technology and may ultimately have both civilian and military relevance.

4) How is RAP different from a traditional task-based contract?

RAP is structured around Fellows rather than contract-like tasking. The work is not characterized as providing a direct service for ARL; instead, it is described as fundamental research reflecting the Fellow's own original ideas while leveraging ARL facilities and complementing ARL priorities.

5) Are Fellows considered employees of ARL, the Army, or the Federal Government?

No. Fellows are explicitly not employees of ARL, the Army, or the Federal Government.

6) Can Fellows be employed by the organization that runs the program?

Yes. The recipient organization that operates the program may employ a Fellow, but employment is not required for participation.

7) Can a Fellow participate without being an employee of the recipient organization?

Yes. The announcement indicates it is possible for a Fellow to participate without being an employee of the recipient (for example, as a self-employed individual). This reflects the program's intent to support independent scientific inquiry rather than workforce staffing.

8) What is the award mechanism for this opportunity?

The opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning ARL expects to play an active partnership role rather than a hands-off role.

9) What does ARL do under the cooperative agreement model?

ARL participates directly in the Fellows selection pipeline by providing a written evaluation of each research proposal. This helps ensure proposed projects are feasible within ARL's environment and relevant to ARL research directions.

10) What does the awardee (recipient) organization do?

The awardee is responsible for establishing and operating the competitive application process through which individual candidates submit research proposals for consideration, and for administering the fellowship program overall.

11) How does the selection process for Fellows work at a high level?

Based on the announcement, the structure is two-part: (1) the recipient administers the program and runs the competition where candidates submit research proposals; and (2) ARL provides written evaluations of proposals to assess feasibility in the ARL environment and alignment with ARL priorities.

12) Who can apply to operate the RAP program (the prime applicant for this funding opportunity)?

The announcement allows a wide range of eligible applicants to be the program operator, including small businesses; for-profit entities (other than small businesses); nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and other nonprofit types); public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); and individuals.

13) Does the announcement expect multiple awards or a single award?

The funding opportunity indicates a single expected award, suggesting ARL intended to select one organization (or entity) to manage the overall RAP effort.

14) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement states that no cost sharing or matching is required.

15) What type of announcement is this opportunity issued under?

This opportunity is issued as a Program Announcement (PAA).

16) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and title?

The Funding Opportunity Number is W911NF-15-R-0015, and the title is "ARL Research Associateship Program (RAP)."

17) How is the opportunity categorized (activity and program)?

The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development. It is associated with CFDA 12.630, "Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering."

18) Is this a new opportunity or a continuation?

The opportunity is categorized as a continuation opportunity.

19) Who is the awarding agency?

The awarding agency is the Department of the Army, Army Materiel Command, with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) serving as the research laboratory whose facilities and research interests shape the Fellows' work and proposal alignment.

20) What were the key dates listed in the announcement?

The announcement was posted on Aug 28, 2015. The original/current closing date was Oct 1, 2015, and the archive date was Oct 31, 2015.

21) Who should be contacted for logistical questions or access issues related to the full announcement?

The listed point of contact is Nikolaos Georgakopoulos, Grants Specialist, reachable by phone at 919-541-0817.

22) Where is the research conducted under RAP?

Fellows conduct research at ARL, leveraging ARL facilities, and proposals are evaluated for feasibility within ARL's environment.

23) Do Fellows have freedom to choose their research topics?

Yes, the central idea is to give Fellows the chance to pursue research problems that are largely of their own choosing, provided those ideas align with ARL interests and can strengthen or stimulate ARL basic and applied research efforts.

24) How does the program balance independent inquiry with ARL priorities?

The research is described as the Fellow's own original ideas and fundamental research, but the recipient-run competition and ARL's written evaluation of proposals help ensure alignment with ARL research directions and feasibility within ARL facilities and environment.