AFRL Regional Network – Midwest Proposal Call Process Overview

Call 1 Schedule

Project Submission Opens: 12/12/23
Phase I Proposal Due Date: 12/29/23

Subtopics

Subtopics will be released as soon as they are received from the AFRL. In the past, our topical areas have been Hypersonics, Energetics, Microelectronics, In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing, and Space Domain Awareness. We will consider proposals from outside of the topical areas.

The AFRL Regional Network – Midwest does not fund basic research. All proposals must be for applied research. Basic research is funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

Program Contacts

Proposal Process: Amanda Ridge
Partnering: Brian Barrett 
Events: Elizabeth Homrig

Application Process

Proposals will be submitted via Qualtrics
The link to the proposal application form will be released on December 12, 2023. If you have distribution limited materials or CUI information, please do not submit it to Qualtrics. Please contact Amanda Ridge.

The application process has two phases:

Phase I: Submit a short paragraph describing the project, collaborators’ names and organizations, connection to the AFRL mission, AFRL interest, opportunities for AFRL S&E personnel exchanges, and potential for transition. Proposals will be reviewed against established criteria, and comments will be provided to the proposers. Based on the assessment, you may be invited to submit a full proposal for Phase II review.

Phase II: Submit a three- to five-page proposal utilizing the format provided via email for review based on these criteria:

  • Mutual interest to AFRL
  • Potential for rapid transition
  • Technical merit
  • Opportunity for leveraging AFRL research, including opportunities for embedding AFRL S&Es within the Network

Also, submit a video addressing the above criteria. Your video may not exceed 7 minutes. If you need assistance filming, please contact afrlmwst@purdue.edu.

This video will be presented at the Proposal/Video Presentations to the Review Committee. Following your video, you will be granted 3 minutes to answer questions. You may bring one co-PI and one AFRL co-PI to the Proposal/Video Presentation.

  • The review committee consists of the following individuals (if available):
  • AFRL Regional Network – Midwest Director and/or Co-PI
  • (2) Independent AFRL Subject Matter Experts
  • (2) Academic Subject Matter Experts
  • (2) AFRL Regional Network – Midwest Members
  • A Business Development/Venture Capital Member

After the meeting, scores will be compiled and examined using statistical formulae to detect anomalies and consistency. The scores will be ranked and presented to the Awards Committee. The Awards Committee consists of the AFRL Regional Network – Midwest PI, Director, AFRL Liaison, and AFRL Collaborative Lead. The Awards Committee will determine which proposals will be awarded.

Funding

Projects will be funded at $50,000 each 6 months, with a maximum of one to two years. Milestones and deliverables will be based on six-month cycles. Funding continuation will be evaluated in six-month intervals and will depend on meeting transition milestones and deliverables. All funding is contingent upon security checks, availability, and is at the discretion of the AFRL Regional Network – Midwest.

Estimated Number of Awards

The Midwest Network plans three proposal cycles per year. Specific dates for each proposal cycle will be communicated to the Midwest community prior.

The award selection process is prioritized first by proposal quality and AFRL mission alignment followed by the availability of funds. The selection committee may allocate funding recommendations in any cycle to any proposals based on project alignment with AFRL goals and quality of proposal. The Midwest Network is planning to award at least 5 proposals per cycle.

Who May Submit Proposals and Serve as PI

Proposals are to be submitted by members of the AFRL Regional Network – Midwest; however, only members within the Midwest region may serve as PI’s. The majority of the funding must be executed within the Midwest region.

All proposals require a co-PI from the US Air Force or Space Force.

Midwest Network community members preparing proposals without an AF/SF co-PI or AF/SF PI’s are encouraged to leverage the Tech Connect function on the Midwest Network website to identify (co-)PI’s:

TECH CONNECT

There is a limit of one proposal per PI per cycle. If you are already funded from a prior call, you may not apply for funding as a PI or co-PI until your funding expires.

All PI and proposal team members to comply with:

6.010 EXPORT CONTROL (NOV 1999) (TAILORED)

(a) Access to the technology developed under this agreement by foreign firms, institutions or individuals shall be controlled by the recipient under applicable U.S. export control laws.

(b) If required under a Research Project Plan agreed to in writing in advance by the Recipient, the Recipient shall obtain Grants Officer approval before assigning or granting access to any work, equipment, or technical data generated or delivered under this agreement to foreign persons or their representatives. The notification shall include the name and country of origin of the foreign person or representative, the specific work, equipment, or data to which the person will have access. The Grants Officer will not provide approval until a favorable Foreign Disclosure Office determination is received.

Network Membership

To join the Network, simply visit: midwesthub.afresearchlab.com/join/

Fill out the form, and we will be in contact.

As a member of the network, you will have access to collaboration opportunities, events, news, and funding calls.

Members do not need to be part of our region to join. The Midwest Region was defined by the AFRL as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

We welcome non-regional members. You can collaborate with us. You can attend events. We will also help you connect with an AFRL scientist and/or engineer.

If you are interested in hosting an event to expand the network and increase your collaboration opportunities, please email afrlmwst@purdue.edu.