Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research
The Air Force seeks research and development proposals that advance transformative aerospace technologies and mature them to relevant technology readiness levels for warfighter applications.
⚑ Federal contract solicitation/BAA; eligibility is constrained by the notice’s contract restrictions, but the provided text does not specify applicant class details. · Two-step open BAA with Calls; proposals may be submitted either to the open BAA or to specific calls under it. · Mission-focused on AFRL/RQ aerospace technologies for defense use.
This is a defense R&D BAA for aerospace technologies, materials, and computing/communications development, which is far outside IPPRA’s social-science portfolio. The team’s work is on public opinion, risk perception, warning communication, energy/nuclear attitudes, and policy evaluation—not applied engineering or technology maturation for AFRL.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-07-14
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 75 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | peripheral portfolio topic: national_security_defense; social/behavioral work is none; funds applied research; eligibility unclear — verify in the NOFO |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
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/RQ’s mission in pioneering transformative aerospace technologies for the warfighter’s decisive advantage. Revision 1, posted 5 June 2024.
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.
Apply
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.