Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research
Funds research and development on novel and mature aerospace technologies for the U.S. Air Force warfighter under an open BAA and calls process.
⚑ Federal contract solicitation/BAA rather than a grant. · Open BAA with Calls; successive revisions posted. · Focus is aerospace technology maturation to TRL, not basic science alone.
This is an AFRL aerospace R&D BAA centered on engineering and technology maturation, which is far outside IPPRA’s social-behavioral strengths. The team might touch policy or public-attitudes aspects of defense technology in rare cases, but this opportunity is not their kind of PI-level research.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-10-23
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
| IPPRA | 40 partial | outside portfolio topics; social/behavioral work is none; funds applied research |
Description
PACER BAA is a Two-Step Open BAA and BAA with Calls which will enable study efforts on novel concepts, as well as research and development efforts to mature specific technologies to appropriate technology readiness levels (TRL) depending on end use. Efforts under this BAA are intended to further AFRL/RA’s mission in pioneering transformative aerospace technologies for the warfighter’s decisive advantage. Revision 1, posted 5 June 2024. Revision 2, posted 24 October 2024 Revision 3, posted 6 May 2025 Revision 4, posted 15 July 2026
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Solicitation. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE / FA2391 USAF AFMC AFRL PZL AFRL RQKP.
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Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Department of Defense (BAA-style) conventions SEE A DOD EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Department of Defense (BAA-style)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.