Pioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research
This Air Force BAA funds study and R&D efforts to develop novel aerospace concepts and mature specific technologies to appropriate TRLs for warfighter advantage.
⚑ Federal contract solicitation/BAA rather than a grant · Two-step open BAA plus calls · Long-lived open period through 2031-05-10 · Work must align to AFRL/RA mission and TRL maturation toward end use
This is an AFRL applied R&D BAA centered on aerospace technology maturation and engineering, which is largely outside IPPRA’s social-behavioral portfolio. The team’s defense work is on public opinion, deterrence, and risk perception, not aerospace systems development or technical TRL advancement.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-10-10
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | portfolio topic: national_security_defense (primary); social/behavioral work is none; funds applied research; capped at 45 (limited social-science role) |
| 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/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.