Propulsion Research in the USAFA Department of Aeronautics | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The funding opportunity titled "Propulsion Research in the USAFA Department of Aeronautics" (Funding Opportunity Number: USAFA BAA 2015 CALL 0002) is a U.S. Department of Defense solicitation issued by the United States Air Force Academy (DOD-USAFA) focused on science and technology research and development related to propulsion. It is categorized as a discretionary opportunity under CFDA 12.800, which is commonly associated with Air Force research and development activities. The opportunity was created and posted on February 10, 2016, with an application deadline of March 10, 2016 (both the original and current closing dates are the same), indicating a relatively short submission window and suggesting the Academy was seeking proposals on an accelerated schedule.

The solicitation is structured to support propulsion-focused research within the USAFA Department of Aeronautics, and it points applicants to a "TWO-STEP CALL ANNOUNCEMENT" document and a supporting "Research Considerations" document for the detailed technical scope, submission instructions, and evaluation requirements. This language typically indicates a staged process where applicants first submit a shorter initial package (often a white paper, concept paper, or executive summary) for preliminary screening, followed by a request for a more complete technical and cost proposal from those deemed most aligned with the government need. The two-step approach is commonly used to reduce proposal burden, concentrate full submissions among the most promising concepts, and speed up selection for a targeted research requirement.

The agency indicates multiple possible award instruments, including a cooperative agreement, a grant, or a procurement contract. Having these options generally means the government is leaving flexibility to select the most appropriate mechanism based on the nature of the proposed work and the anticipated level of government involvement. In practice, a procurement contract is more typical when the government is acquiring a specific deliverable or service for its direct use, while grants and cooperative agreements are more typical when the primary purpose is to support or stimulate research in the public interest. Cooperative agreements, in particular, usually imply substantial involvement by the government during performance (for example, active technical collaboration, participation in reviews, or integration with USAFA research priorities).

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the call is open to essentially any type of applicant (such as universities, nonprofits, small businesses, large businesses, and other organizations), subject to any additional clarifications that may appear in the full announcement text. This broad eligibility aligns with many research BAAs and academy-led research solicitations, where the goal is to attract high-quality technical ideas from a wide pool, including academic researchers and industry performers with relevant propulsion expertise.

In terms of funding, the opportunity lists an award ceiling of $650,000 and anticipates a single award (Expected Awards: 1). The single-award expectation suggests the USAFA Department of Aeronautics likely had a specific research thrust in mind and planned to select one performer to execute it, rather than spreading funds across multiple smaller projects. The ceiling provides an upper bound rather than a guarantee of funding at that level, and the actual award value typically depends on the scope negotiated, the proposed effort, and the government assessment of cost realism and technical approach.

Because the public synopsis emphasizes that requirements are contained in the referenced two-step call and the Research Considerations document, the most important takeaways are procedural and administrative: applicants would need to follow the staged submission process, align their proposal to the propulsion research priorities articulated by the Department of Aeronautics, and prepare for evaluation consistent with DoD research solicitation norms (for example, technical merit, relevance to the agency mission, qualifications of the team, and the reasonableness of the cost proposal). The opportunity is explicitly framed as science and technology research and development, which generally means the government is looking for credible technical innovation, a sound research plan, and a clear path to generating knowledge or capability that supports Air Force or defense-related propulsion interests, potentially including applications relevant to aeronautics education and research at the Academy.

Overall, this call represents a targeted USAFA-led propulsion R&D opportunity with a defined maximum funding level, a planned single award, broad eligibility, and flexible award instruments, with the detailed technical expectations and submission mechanics delegated to the two referenced attachment documents.

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