Opportunity Information: Apply for AFOSR BAA 2012 0006
Apply for AFOSR BAA 2012 0006
- The Air Force Office of Scientific Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2013 University NanoSatellite Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.800 Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 26, 2012 and posted on Jul 26, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 16, 2012. (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 $110,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- This competition is open only to, and full proposals are to be submitted only by, U.S. institutions of higher education (universities) including DoD institutions of higher education, with degree granting programs in science and/or engineering.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Fiscal Year 2013 University NanoSatellite Program (AFOSR BAA 2012-0006) was a discretionary grant opportunity run by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV). The purpose of the program was to strengthen and sustain university-level research and hands-on education centered on small satellites, specifically nanosatellites, and the supporting technologies that make them feasible. At its core, the program was structured to push student and faculty teams beyond paper studies and into real engineering execution, with an emphasis on building flight-relevant capability rather than producing only theoretical results.
The main deliverable expected from each funded project was the design, fabrication, and functional testing of a nanosatellite. In other words, teams were expected to develop an actual nanosat system and demonstrate that it works through practical testing, not merely through simulations or design documents. Alongside that primary goal, the program also aimed to stimulate research into nanosat-enabling technologies (such as miniaturized subsystems, power and communications approaches, attitude determination and control, structures, thermal management, and other smallsat-relevant components) and encourage the creation of experiments suitable for execution on a nanosatellite once in orbit. This meant that proposals could reasonably include both spacecraft bus development and payload/experiment concepts, as long as the overall effort supported a nanosat that could be credibly tested and advanced toward operational readiness.
An important feature of the program was the competitive pathway beyond the initial grant awards. After projects were selected and supported, participating teams would compete in a follow-on competition intended to recognize a smaller number of nanosatellites that demonstrated readiness for space launch and operation. Practically speaking, the program was not only funding development work but also acting as a funnel to identify the most mature and capable university nanosat builds, rewarding teams that could show robust engineering, integration discipline, and credible launch-and-operations preparedness.
In terms of award specifics, the opportunity anticipated approximately 25 awards, with an award ceiling of $110,000 per award. The funding instrument was a grant, and the activity area fell under science and technology and other research and development, aligned with CFDA 12.800 (Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program). There was no cost sharing or matching requirement, which typically makes participation more accessible for university teams that may have limited discretionary funds to contribute.
Eligibility was restricted to U.S. institutions of higher education, including both public and private universities as well as DoD institutions of higher education, provided they had degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering. Full proposals were to be submitted only by these eligible U.S. universities, indicating the program was explicitly designed to develop domestic academic capability and a pipeline of engineers and researchers experienced in space systems, particularly in the fast-growing nanosatellite domain.
The announcement timeline shows the opportunity was posted on July 26, 2012, with a closing date of October 16, 2012, and it was later archived on November 15, 2012. Administrative support and assistance for accessing the full announcement were directed to the procurement point of contact listed in the notice, Carmelita Calvert, identified as a Procurement Analyst for AFOSR contracting. Overall, the grant call reflects a practical, build-and-test-oriented approach to university satellite programs, combining education, technology maturation, and a competitive mechanism to spotlight teams capable of producing nanosatellites that are plausibly ready for launch and on-orbit operations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Fiscal Year 2013 University NanoSatellite Program?
The Fiscal Year 2013 University NanoSatellite Program (AFOSR BAA 2012-0006) was a discretionary grant opportunity run by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV). It focused on strengthening and sustaining university-level research and hands-on education centered on nanosatellites and the technologies that enable them.
What was the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The program aimed to move university student and faculty teams beyond paper studies into real engineering execution. The emphasis was on building and testing flight-relevant nanosatellite capability rather than producing only theoretical or simulation-based outcomes.
What type of funding instrument was used?
The funding instrument was a grant.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated approximately 25 awards.
What was the maximum funding amount per award?
The award ceiling was $110,000 per award.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who was eligible to submit a full proposal?
Eligibility was restricted to U.S. institutions of higher education. This included public and private universities and DoD institutions of higher education, as long as they had degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering.
Could non-university organizations apply as the lead applicant?
Based on the notice, full proposals were to be submitted only by eligible U.S. universities (including qualifying DoD institutions of higher education). No other lead applicant types were described as eligible.
What was the primary deliverable expected from each funded project?
The main deliverable was the design, fabrication, and functional testing of a nanosatellite. Teams were expected to develop an actual nanosatellite system and demonstrate functional performance through practical testing, not just simulations or design documentation.
Did the program support research into nanosatellite-enabling technologies?
Yes. In addition to building and testing a nanosatellite, the program aimed to stimulate research into nanosat-enabling technologies such as miniaturized subsystems, power and communications approaches, attitude determination and control, structures, thermal management, and other smallsat-relevant components.
Were payloads or on-orbit experiments part of the intended scope?
Yes. The program encouraged the creation of experiments suitable for execution on a nanosatellite once in orbit. Proposals could reasonably include spacecraft bus development and payload/experiment concepts, as long as the overall effort supported a nanosatellite that could be credibly tested and advanced toward operational readiness.
Was the program focused on theoretical studies or hands-on engineering?
The stated emphasis was on hands-on engineering, including building a nanosatellite and validating it through functional testing, with a goal of demonstrating flight-relevant capability.
Was there a competitive component beyond the initial grant awards?
Yes. After projects were selected and supported, participating teams would compete in a follow-on competition intended to recognize a smaller number of nanosatellites that demonstrated readiness for space launch and operation.
What did the follow-on competition aim to recognize?
It was intended to identify and recognize a smaller number of nanosatellites that demonstrated readiness for space launch and operation, rewarding teams that showed robust engineering, integration discipline, and credible launch-and-operations preparedness.
Which organizations were involved in running the program?
The program was run by AFOSR in partnership with AFRL/RV (the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate).
What was the program’s activity area and CFDA listing?
The activity area fell under science and technology and other research and development. It was aligned with CFDA 12.800 (Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program).
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on July 26, 2012, and the closing date was October 16, 2012.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on November 15, 2012.
Who was the procurement point of contact listed for administrative support?
The notice directed administrative support and assistance for accessing the full announcement to the procurement point of contact, Carmelita Calvert, identified as a Procurement Analyst for AFOSR contracting.
What was the overall intent behind restricting eligibility to U.S. universities?
Based on the description, the restriction reflected an intent to build domestic academic capability and develop a pipeline of engineers and researchers with hands-on experience in space systems, particularly nanosatellites.
What does “flight-relevant capability†mean in the context of this program?
In this program’s framing, it meant producing a nanosatellite system that goes beyond concept studies and is demonstrated through practical, functional testing in a way that credibly advances toward space launch and operational use.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: BLM UT Rich County Riparian Exclosure
Previous opportunity: Notice of Intent to Award to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for Support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Livestock Interdiction Fund
USGrants.org 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 AFOSR BAA 2012 0006
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (AFOSR BAA 2012 0006) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Southern Appalachian CESU Apply for G12AS20076 Funding Number: G12AS20076 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Apply for G12AS20077 Funding Number: G12AS20077 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU Apply for G12AS20073 Funding Number: G12AS20073 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Collaborative Science, Technology, and Applied Research (CSTAR) Program Apply for NOAA NWS NWSPO 2013 2003473 Funding Number: NOAA NWS NWSPO 2013 2003473 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| EXPEDITIONARY WARFARE C4 TECHNOLOGIES Apply for ONRBAA12 015 Funding Number: ONRBAA12 015 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants in the Directorate for Biological Sciences Apply for 12 590 Funding Number: 12 590 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellowships Apply for 12 591 Funding Number: 12 591 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology Apply for 12 497 Funding Number: 12 497 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $207,000 |
| Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships Apply for 12 496 Funding Number: 12 496 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Design of Engineering Material Systems Apply for PD 12 8086 Funding Number: PD 12 8086 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Computational and Data driven Materials Research Apply for PD 12 8029 Funding Number: PD 12 8029 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CyberCorps Scholarship for Service Apply for 12 585 Funding Number: 12 585 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Commission the Ash Meadows Fish Conservation Facility Apply for F12AS00363 Funding Number: F12AS00363 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Research, Development and Training in Isotope Production Apply for DE FOA 0000743 Funding Number: DE FOA 0000743 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Research Opportunity Ultra Light Weight Armor Systems Apply for 12 SN 0016 Funding Number: 12 SN 0016 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Small Business Technology Transfer Program Phase I Solicitation FY 2013 Apply for 12 592 Funding Number: 12 592 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Collaborative Research in Verification of SRH2D Sediment Transport Model using Field Data Apply for R12AC80424 Funding Number: R12AC80424 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Denver Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| Practioners Network Apply for F12AS00270 Funding Number: F12AS00270 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Social Innovation Lab Kampuchea (SILK) Apply for USAID CAMBODIA RFA 442 12 000005 Funding Number: USAID CAMBODIA RFA 442 12 000005 Agency: Cambodia USAID Phnom Penh Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $7,500,000 |
| Program in Ultrafast Laser Science and Engineering (PULSE) Apply for DARPA BAA 12 63 Funding Number: DARPA BAA 12 63 Agency: DARPA Defense Sciences Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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
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.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "AFOSR BAA 2012 0006", 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.