The U.S. Department of War (DoW) has announced new research and development funding opportunities supporting basic research, early-career investigators and institutional research capacity. Researchers are encouraged to review the opportunities below and connect with the appropriate program officers before submitting.
Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
The Department of War is accepting white papers to strengthen the research capabilities of institutions of higher education and increase their competitiveness in basic science and engineering research.
The program is designed to create research collaborations between two investigators: a full-time faculty member who has never served as a principal investigator on a prior DoD directly funded research prime award and an experienced investigator who will provide mentorship and has previously served as a PI on a DoW directly funded research award.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Program Officer for their topic of interest before submitting a white paper.
Research Topics
· Space Biosciences
· Dynamic Data and Information Processing
· Condensed Matter Physics
· Aerodynamic Sciences
· Earth Materials and Processes
· Dynamical Influences on Performance
· Wireless Communications Networks
· Electrochemistry
· Nonlinear Transforms for Dynamical Systems
· Social Cognition in Local Communities
· Fundamental Mechanisms and Materials for Shock Mitigation for Warfighter Protection
· Fundamental Research on Efficient Packaging and Deployment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
A webinar will be held on August 25, 2026.
Award Information
Awards: Up to 24 grants of up to $600,000 each
Deadline: October 12, 2026
Award ID: NOFOAFRLAFOSR20260004
Young Investigator Program
The Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program seeks to identify early-career scientists and engineers with the potential to make long-term contributions to the Department of the Navy’s Science and Technology program.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate Program Officer for their technical area to discuss their research ideas before submitting a proposal.
Focus Areas
The program includes 11 Focus Areas with multiple Research Areas:
· AI and Autonomy
· Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and Naval Space
· Directed Energy and Kinetic Systems
· Materials and Electronics
· Human and Biological Systems
· Manufacturing
· Naval Engineering
· Naval Aerospace
· Ocean, Atmosphere, and Space
· Power and Energy
· Undersea Systems
Award Information
Awards: Up to 25 awards are expected at $750,000 over three years
Eligibility: Domestic institutions of higher education
Deadline: October 30, 2026
Award ID: N0001426SF004
AM&E Lab Support for Federal R&D Proposals
Researchers pursuing opportunities like these may be able to leverage the AM&E Lab as a resource for proposal development, research collaboration, technical capabilities, teaming, and project execution related to advanced manufacturing and engineering. Learn more about AME Lab
