Other Opportunities
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated, and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.
Central to the STTR program is the partnership between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. The STTR program requires the small business to formally collaborate with a research institution in Phase I and Phase II. STTR's most important role is to bridge the gap between performance of basic science and commercialization of resulting innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs fund a diverse portfolio of startups and small businesses across technology areas and markets to stimulate technological innovation, meet Federal research and development (R&D0 needs and increase commercialization to transition R&D into impact. To learn more and to find opportunities and local assistance, visit https://www.sbir.gov/
This congressionally mandated program under the direction of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, OUSD (R&E), is a tri-service fellowship program sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Army Research Office (ARO), and the Office of Naval Research (ONR). It is designed to increase the number of U.S. citizens receiving doctorates in research discipline areas of military importance at US institutions.
Three year fellowship includes: full tuition/fees, $3,400 monthly stipend, $5,000 travel budget, & $1,400 healthcare insurance
Research project discipline areas: Astrodynamics, Biosciences, Chemistry, Cognitive, Neural and Behavioral Sciences, Computer and Computational Sciences, Engineering (Aerospace/Aeronautical, Biomedical, Chemical, Electrical, Materials Science and Mechanical), Geosciences, Mathematics, Naval Architecture, Oceanography, Physics and Space Physics
Mentoring program and DoD National Conference
Application period: August-November
Award announced: March/April
Award begins: September
The YIP is awarded to outstanding early career S&Es, U.S. citizens and permanent residents, who show innovative and “high” risk basic research directly related to Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) portfolios in promising and potential groundbreaking topics resulting in “high” reward.
Three year research grant totals $450,000 (up to $150,000 annually)
Early career is defined as seven years from PhD confer date (April 1, 2022)
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) posted March 7, 2022
Proposals due June 6, 2022
One YIP for each AFOSR 36 research discipline areas
1st HBCU YIP awarded to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 2022
The Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) is administered through the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Army Research Office, and the Office of Naval Research. The DURIP program is for the acquisition of major equipment by U.S institutions of higher education to augment current or develop new research capabilities to support research in technical areas of interest to the DoD. DURIP is open only to U.S. institutions of higher education, with degree granting programs in science, math, and/or engineering. Proposing institutions should be seeking to purchase instrumentation in support of research areas of interest to the DoD, including areas of research supported by the administering agencies.
For FY23 DURIP funding opportunity announcements, please visit the sites below.
AFOSR: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=337959
ARO: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=337965
ONR: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=337955
PARTNER UNIVERSITIES
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation values universities that are ranked amongst the country’s highest rated programs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math with graduate level research opportunities for undergraduate students. With this, the Astronaut Scholarship continues to maintain the level of prestige that has been established since the inception of the organization in 1984.
1. Introduction between prospective institution and ASF
2. Prospective institution confirms eligibility:
Leading STEM university
Recognized as a significant research university
Diverse student body (Adopted and published policy to promote diversity and prohibit discrimination)
Agrees to long-term commitment to stewarding the ASF mission
Assigns a University Liaison Officer as primary contact
Agrees to implement an internal nomination committee
3. ASF shares Partnering University Package with Prospective University
4. Prospective University submits application to ASF
5. Prospective University provides three-year commitment to support scholarship
6. Prospective University provides letters of endorsement from key university officials
7. Partner University reviewed and approved by ASF Board of Directors
8. New Partner University signs partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
9. New Partner University provides nominations during the next scholarship selection cycle
ASTRONAUT SCHOLARS
Astronaut Scholars are immersed in nearly every aspect of science, engineering, and technology as astronomers, biologists, chemists, physicists, mathematicians, computer scientists, engineers in practically every discipline, inventors, consultants, entrepreneurs who have started technology companies, professors at top institutions, and military officers. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation exists to inspire and fuel these innovators and discover possibilities for an even brighter future for all of us. Astronaut Scholars are exceptional students and earn this prestigious recognition.
1. Eligibility:
Must be nominated by a professor or faculty member
Must be a STEM major entering into junior or senior year (STEM Designated Degrees)
Must be a U.S. citizen
Must have completed two years of full-time study at an ASF Partner University
Must have demonstrated exemplary academic performance
Must have conducted a considerable amount of laboratory research, cooperative education, internships, relevant military experience, entrepreneurial endeavors, and/or documented independent work resulting in technical papers, patents, or similar work product
2. Contact Partner University Liaison
3. Seek Nomination
4. Submit Nomination Package:
Proof of citizenship
Personal statement
Two letters of recommendation (including nominating faculty)
Current transcripts
Current resume or CV
5. Internal Review by Partner University
6. Top Candidates Submitted to ASF
7. Astronaut Scholar Selection by ASF Scholarship Selection
Committee
8. Astronaut Scholars Approved by ASF Board of Directors
9. Astronaut Scholar Announcement
For more information, please contact the ASF Program Team:
Nicole Russ, Program Director, Nicole@astronautscholarship.org
Jaynelle Miller, Program Director, jaymiller@astronautscholarship.org
The ASSURE program supports undergraduate research in Department of Defense (DoD) relevant disciplines and is designed to increase the number of high-quality undergraduate science and engineering majors who ultimately decide to pursue advanced degrees in these fields. A strong U.S. science and engineering workforce is of clear interest to the DoD, as the capability of producing superior technology is essential for future national security.
The ASSURE program aims to provide valuable research opportunities for undergraduates, either through ongoing research programs or through projects specially designed for this purpose. Research projects should allow high quality interaction of students with faculty and/or other research mentors and access to appropriate facilities and professional development opportunities. Active research experience is considered one of the most effective ways to attract and retain talented undergraduates in science and engineering.
ASSURE projects must have a well-defined common focus that enables a research related experience for students. Projects may be based in a single discipline or academic department, or interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a strong intellectual focus. Each proposal should reflect the unique combination of the proposing institution's interests and capabilities. Applicants are encouraged to involve students in research who might not otherwise have the opportunity, particularly those from institutions where research programs are limited. Thus, a significant fraction of the student participants should come from outside the host institution. In addition, DoD is interested in strengthening institutions with limited research programs and especially encourages proposals that help to enhance the research infrastructure in predominantly undergraduate four-year institutions. Student participants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.
The DoD ASSURE budget is $4.5 million annually. DoD expected ASSURE budget for new projects is approximately $1.5 million; this funding will be distributed among fifteen to twenty new ASSURE awards. DoD relevance will be considered in making funding decisions. Projects may be carried out during the summer months, during the academic year, or both. Sites may be proposed for durations of one to five years, with a three-year duration being typical.
DoD executes the ASSURE program collaboratively with the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites Program. DoD funded ASSURE sites will be selected by DoD scientists and engineers, but will be overseen by NSF as part of the NSF portfolio of REU Sites. There is no separate application for the ASSURE program; ASSURE funding is awarded through the NSF REU Sites Program.
Information about the NSF REU Program can be found at: NSF Program Solicitation NSF 05-592
Students apply directly to REU Sites and should consult the directory of active REU Sites
Contact: Program Coordinator
Email: assure@us.af.mil
When you join the Air Force with a college degree, you can enter as an officer and a leader. We’ll provide you with training to develop the skills and character you need to become a world-class officer prepared to lead your fellow Airmen. There are four ways to join the Air Force as an officer. While each way differs slightly, they all ultimately allow you to begin your career as a leader:
Attend Officer Training School after earning college or postgraduate degree. Upon earning a college or postgraduate degree, you can take the steps to enter the Air Force as an officer;
Attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. Intensive and competitive, the prestigious United States Air Force Academy offers a world-class education with fully paid tuition, cost-free room and board, cost-free medical care and a monthly cash stipend in exchange for your commitment to serve;
Join the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) in college. Available at colleges and universities all over the country, Air Force ROTC offers tuition assistance while you earn your degree and experience college life;
Enlist and work toward becoming an officer. The Air Force has unprecedented growth opportunities, and any enlisted Airman can take the steps necessary to work toward officer status.
Click here to learn more.
Once you begin a journey to become a United States Airman, what can you expect? Embarking on any new career can be stressful, but this one especially involves taking on more than what most people face throughout civilian life. It’s going to require a lot of fortitude and courage to meet future challenges head on. The best friend you could possibly have is a complete guide to what happens. Because knowledge is the first step. Knowing what you’re up against provides you with the means to defeat it.
Click here to learn all about Air Force Basic Training.
The Air Force Reserve supports the regular Air Force in fulfilling its national security objectives by providing professionals in mission critical roles. In addition, it is a major force in your community by contributing manpower and expertise in the wake of national disaster or civil unrest to protect life and property, and to preserve peace, order and public safety.