FY26 DEFENSE ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH (DEPSCoR) CAPACITY BUILDING (CB) | Apply Online

FY26 DEPSCoR Capacity Building (CB) Grant - FAQs

1) What is the FY26 DEPSCoR Capacity Building (CB) opportunity?

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) Capacity Building (CB) opportunity is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) basic research grant program focused on strengthening university research capability in certain eligible states and territories (DEPSCoR jurisdictions). The overall intent is to help eligible institutions build durable, defense-relevant research capacity and become more competitive for future federal basic research funding.

2) What is the main purpose of this program?

This program is designed to improve the long-term research competitiveness of institutions of higher education (IHEs) in DEPSCoR jurisdictions while aligning their efforts with DoD mission needs. Proposals are expected to be framed as capacity-building efforts (not only stand-alone research projects) that measurably improve an institution or partnership's ability to sustain and win future competitive awards in defense-relevant science and engineering areas.

3) What outcomes does the DoD say it is trying to achieve?

The announcement highlights three primary outcomes:

• Expanding the pool of university researchers in eligible locations who can successfully perform science and engineering research responsive to DoD needs.
• Improving institutional capability to design, plan, and execute high-quality, defense-relevant research that can compete under rigorous peer-review processes used across federal research funding.
• Increasing the likelihood of long-term growth in competitively awarded federal research assistance going to these eligible IHEs.

4) Who sponsors and oversees this opportunity?

The opportunity is sponsored and overseen by the Basic Research Office within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E).

5) Which organizations issue and administer awards?

Awards are issued by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). Administrative support is provided through the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

6) What type of funding is this?

This is discretionary funding using a grant instrument. The activity area is identified as science and technology and other research and development.

7) How much total funding is expected to be available?

The Basic Research Office anticipates up to $6 million total available across the program (based on FY26 DEPSCoR appropriations).

8) How many awards does the DoD expect to make?

The DoD expects to make between one and four awards under this announcement.

9) What is the maximum award size?

Each grant is capped at $1.5 million in total costs (the anticipated award ceiling).

10) What is the period of performance and annual funding level?

Awards are structured over two years, with support of up to $750,000 in total costs per year.

11) Are awards guaranteed?

No. Awards are explicitly contingent on the availability of funds. The government also reserves broad discretion in selecting proposals and may choose to fund all, some, part, or none of the submissions. The announcement notes there is no guarantee that any award will be made.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education (IHEs) located in DEPSCoR-eligible states and territories. Applicants may apply individually or in partnership with other organizations, as long as eligibility requirements are met.

13) What are the DEPSCoR-eligible states and territories listed in the announcement?

The eligible locations listed are:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Guam
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

The notice also points applicants to an eligibility table in Section III.A for details.

14) Can an eligible IHE submit a proposal with partners?

Yes. The announcement states that IHEs in DEPSCoR jurisdictions may apply either individually or in partnership with other organizations, provided eligibility requirements are met.

15) What should proposals emphasize to fit the program?

Based on the program description, proposals should go beyond a stand-alone research plan and clearly present how the effort will build durable institutional or partnership capacity in defense-relevant science and engineering. The proposal framing should connect the planned activities to measurable improvements in the ability to compete for and sustain future peer-reviewed federal basic research funding aligned with DoD priorities.

16) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is NOFOAFRLAFOSR20260003.

17) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 12.431.

18) What is the application closing date shown in the listing?

The listing shows a closing date of 2027-04-05.

19) What is the creation date shown for the opportunity listing?

The listing shows a creation date of 2026-08-10.

20) What does "total cost" mean in the context of the stated award limits?

The announcement states funding caps in terms of "total costs" (for example, up to $1.5 million total cost per award and up to $750,000 total cost per year). The provided information does not further define "total cost" beyond using it as the basis for the ceiling and annual limit.