AFOSR: FY24 Defense Established Program To Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) – Capacity Building (CB) FOA-AFRL-AFOSR-2024-0006
Sponsor: DOD/AFOSR/ONRInternal Deadline: 05/09/2024Institutional Submission Limit: 1Sponsor Deadline: 06/24/2024Program Website
The intent of this DEPSCoR-Capacity Building effort is to foster new, strategic, multi-thrust efforts to increase basic research capacity in DoD-relevant research areas at the applicant IHE. DEPSCoR-Capacity Building is an opportunity for Executive Offices of IHEs in DEPSCoR states and territories to develop strategic plans to grow and expand basic research capacity at the IHE, and to use that capacity to outreach to the surrounding DEPSCoR region, with a long-term goal to compete and contribute more effectively in the DoD basic research enterprise. Innovative approaches to improving basic research capacity beyond the initial seed capacity of the IHE are highly encouraged.
Note: DEPSCoR-Capacity Building is less interested in plans that do not seek to significantly improve and expand the existing seed capacity and thrusts already ongoing at the applicant IHE.
To address the program’s aim, DEPSCoR – Capacity Building (CB) objectives are to:
- Jumpstart capability development in the State/Territory through increased human, technical, and management resources.
- Achieve excellence in a DoD-relevant basic research area through funding to support equipment, education, research, and other relevant activities.
Applicants must be aware of and address the expectations of the DEPSCoR-Capacity Building program outlined in the FOA (see FOA for full description and details), including identify current seed capacity and the basic research capacity gaps, articulate thrusts to fill the basic research capacity gaps and capabilities that need to be developed, present a strategic plan to sustain the work post-award with regional outreach and partnerships, and a management plan.
*Please note, an institutional-level official such as the VPR will be the actual PI of the proposal.
For Program details and additional information:
• FOA: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/353275
• DEPSCoR webinar: Tuesday, April 16th from 1:00PM-3:00PM EDT. The webinar will include overviews of the FOAs and an opportunity to ask questions about the opportunities. To participate in the DEPSCoR Webinar, you must register in advance no later than 5:00PM EDT on Monday, April 15th at https://dod-basicresearch.nvision.noblis.org/program/depscor
Important Dates
• Webinar: Tuesday, April 16th from 1:00PM-3:00PM EDT (register HERE by April 15, 5pm)
• Internal Competition deadline: Thursday, May 9 2024 by 5:00pm
• External deadline for this competition (White Paper deadline): Monday, June 24, 2024 by 11:59 PM ET.
• Notification of White Paper Selection: Friday, September 6 2024 NLT 11:59 PM
• Full Proposal Submission (by invitation only) deadline: Monday, November 25, 2024 by 11:59 PM ET.
Submission Process
Limited submissions MUST be coordinated with the Office of the Vice President for Research.
If interested in applying for this opportunity, submit the following as a single PDF to Julie Morris at jmorris@sc.edu by 5pm on the INTERNAL DEADLINE above.
• Cover page (1 page limit): Include all key personnel names, departments, and institutional affiliations. Also include number and name of at least one of the technical basic research areas outlined in the Services’ broad agency announcements (BAAs). Multiple BAA numbers and research areas are acceptable. (For example: ONR N00014-24-S-B001, Amendment 2, Basic Physiological Sciences)
• Abstract (not to exceed 500 words): Describe the overall approach to achieving the strategic objectives of USC to achieve basic research excellence in areas of high relevance to the DoD.
• Capacity Building Narrative (3 page limit): clearly describe your strategic objectives to achieve basic research excellence in an area of high relevance to the DoD, including existing seed capability; vision for building basic research capacity including programmatic, academic, educational, and technical gaps; specific thrusts that will be pursued to fill gaps to build competitive research capacity; team composition and potential partners; management plan; and potential for long-term sustainment.
• A two-page CV for the Team Lead.
FORMATTING: Documents must be submitted in the following format as one (1) PDF file:
• Margins – 1 inch
• Spacing – single-spaced
• Font – Times New Roman, 12 point