Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) Foundational Science Research Unit (FSRU) Broad Agency Announcement for Basic Scientific Research (FY 2015) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is the Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) Foundational Science Research Unit (FSRU) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for FY 2015. It invites proposals for basic scientific research in the behavioral and social sciences intended to strengthen Army readiness and performance over time.

2) What is ARI and what kinds of outcomes is it ultimately trying to support?

ARI describes itself as the Army's lead organization for research and analysis focused on improving how Army personnel and units perform. ARI is particularly interested in advances that inform personnel policy, organizational effectiveness, training, and leader development, but this BAA emphasizes foundational science rather than near-term implementation.

3) What type of research does ARI want under this BAA?

Projects are expected to be genuinely basic research. That means the work should primarily advance scientific theory, methods, or understanding of underlying mechanisms in the behavioral and social sciences. ARI emphasizes foundational, theory-building research that expands fundamental knowledge and identifies general principles.

4) What does ARI mean by "foundational" or "theory-building" research?

Within this BAA, foundational or theory-building research is work designed to expand generalizable knowledge (for example, clarifying mechanisms, developing or testing theory, or advancing scientific methods). The goal is not to run a program evaluation or an implementation study, but to produce findings that can stimulate additional basic research and potentially translate over time into improved Soldier and unit performance.

5) How important is Army relevance if the work is basic research?

Army relevance matters, but proposals should not be framed as program evaluations or practical implementation studies. Investigators are expected to explain (1) how the research contributes to theory and (2) why the expected findings are likely to stimulate additional basic research that could ultimately contribute to readiness and performance.

6) What are examples of research domains ARI explicitly mentions?

The announcement explicitly mentions domains such as social phenomena, memory, cognition, and personality.

7) Are neuroscience, psychophysiological, or network science approaches allowed?

Yes. ARI indicates openness to approaches that incorporate psychophysiological methods, including neuroscience, and also welcomes network science approaches to social phenomena, as long as the overall project is basic behavioral and social science research aligned to the BAA's intent.

8) What kinds of proposals are considered out of scope?

ARI draws clear boundaries around proposals that do not fit this mechanism. Examples of out-of-scope work include:

• Proposals that are primarily applied research (for example, human factors studies or training program evaluations).
• Proposals focused purely on physiology.
• Proposals focused on psychopathology or behavioral health.

9) Does ARI want multidisciplinary or cross-sector teams?

Yes. The BAA encourages collaboration across universities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit firms, and other U.S. Military Services, reflecting interest in cross-sector and cross-discipline teams.

10) Is there any emphasis on broadening participation?

Yes. ARI notes that some funding may be available for especially strong proposals from minority-serving institutions and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), as well as from early-career researchers who have not previously received ARI funding as a principal investigator. However, awards are still driven by merit, responsiveness to ARI interests, and available funds.

11) Are early-career researchers eligible to apply?

Yes. Eligibility is broad and includes individuals, and ARI specifically signals interest in supporting especially strong proposals from early-career researchers who have not previously received ARI funding as a principal investigator (subject to merit and funds availability).

12) Who is eligible to submit proposals?

Eligibility is broad across domestic and foreign organizations. Proposals may be submitted by:

• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations)
• For-profit organizations
• Small businesses
• Individuals

13) Are foreign organizations allowed to apply?

Yes, eligibility is described as broad across domestic and foreign organizations. However, foreign-owned, controlled, or influenced entities are cautioned that security restrictions could limit participation.

14) Can government labs, FFRDCs, or Service Academies apply as the prime recipient?

No. Government laboratories, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), and U.S. Service Academies cannot participate as prime contractors or primary recipients under this opportunity.

15) Can government labs, FFRDCs, or Service Academies participate in any way?

Possibly. The announcement indicates they may be able to participate as subcontractors or subrecipients on a case-by-case basis.

16) Should applicants submit a white paper first?

Applicants are encouraged to submit a white paper before investing effort in a full proposal. The purpose is to get early feedback from ARI on whether the idea appears competitive and aligned, potentially reducing time and cost for concepts that have a low chance of selection.

17) Can the costs of preparing a white paper or proposal be charged to an award?

No. Costs associated with preparing and submitting white papers or full proposals are not allowable as direct charges to any resulting award. The announcement notes they may be treated as normal bid and proposal indirect costs consistent with FAR cost principles.

18) How are proposals evaluated and selected?

The process is described as multi-stage and peer-driven within ARI:

• Stage 1: Responsiveness and technical merit review by at least two behavioral scientists within ARI's basic research program, with potential additional input from other ARI scientists.
• Additional input: External subject matter experts may be consulted in some cases, and ARI may use non-government consultants under strict nondisclosure obligations for technical feedback.
• Stage 2: ARI research unit chiefs consider transition into their basic research programs, and each proposal is reviewed by at least three behavioral research scientists.

19) What factors drive funding priority?

Funding priority is given to proposals viewed as highly responsive to ARI interests, innovative, technically strong, and demonstrating credible transition potential into ARI basic research programs.

20) What does "transition potential" mean in this context?

Based on the description provided, transition potential refers to how credibly the proposed basic research could transition into ARI research unit basic research programs, helping shape future foundational research directions that may ultimately support improved performance and readiness.

21) Will ARI use external reviewers?

Sometimes. The announcement states that external subject matter experts may be consulted in some cases. ARI may also use non-government consultants under strict nondisclosure obligations to provide technical feedback.

22) What is the legal/contracting framework for this opportunity?

The opportunity is issued under Federal Acquisition Regulation authorities that support competitive selection through a Broad Agency Announcement. ARI emphasizes that selections are treated as full and open competition under the Competition in Contracting Act.

23) What funding instruments might ARI use for an award?

The funding instrument may take multiple forms depending on the nature of the work and the government's involvement, including:

• Grants
• Cooperative agreements
• Procurement contracts

24) Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is described in the information provided.

25) How much funding is available and what are the award sizes?

Funding levels are intentionally not specified. ARI notes that no total dollar amount has been reserved for awards under this BAA and no minimum or maximum award thresholds have been established due to budget uncertainty.

26) Is ARI required to make awards under this BAA?

No. ARI states that awards are subject to availability of funds and that it may choose not to make any new awards if funds are not available or other factors intervene.

27) Who can legally obligate the government for an award?

Only a warranted government Contracting Officer or Grants Officer can obligate the government. The announcement cautions that informal feedback from technical staff does not constitute an award commitment.

28) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is cataloged under CFDA 12.431 (Basic Scientific Research).

29) What is the solicitation number?

The solicitation number is W911NF-15-R-0007.

30) When was it posted and what was the closing date?

The posted date is February 19, 2015. The application closing date is June 5, 2015. The announcement is noted as archived on July 5, 2015.

31) Where was the BAA posted?

The BAA was posted on the federal opportunities portal in use at the time, fbo.gov.

32) Who is the contracting point of contact and what are they responsible for?

The contracting point of contact listed is Maria D. Nelson, Contracting Officer, at (919) 541-4992. The contact is specified for access issues related to the full announcement.