Air Force Fiscal Year 2026 Young Investigator Program (YIP) | NOFOAFRLAFOSR20250006

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOFOAFRLAFOSR20250006

The Air Force Fiscal Year 2026 Young Investigator Program (YIP) is a competitive research grant opportunity run by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) to support exceptional early-career scientists and engineers doing basic research. The program is designed to back investigators who have already shown strong promise and to help accelerate their independent research trajectory while encouraging work that is relevant to Air Force and Space Force mission needs and future science and engineering challenges. The focus is on creative, fundamental research rather than applied development, with the broader goal of strengthening the pipeline of high-impact researchers who can contribute to national defense-related scientific priorities over the long term.

Eligibility is centered on the individual principal investigator (PI) and where they are employed. Applicants must have received a Ph.D. or equivalent degree on or after 01 April 2018. The PI must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident. Awards are made to the PI's U.S.-based organization, which can be a public or private institution of higher education, a for-profit company (including small businesses and other for-profits), or a non-profit research organization (including non-profits with or without 501(c)(3) status). The PI must be employed full-time by the submitting organization and must hold a regular, non-contractor position there. Researchers employed at Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) or Department of Defense laboratories are not eligible to apply under this competition, which keeps the program targeted toward independent investigators outside the federal lab ecosystem.

Funding is structured as a three-year grant with a maximum of $150,000 per year, for a total maximum (award ceiling) of $450,000 over the full period of performance. The cap applies annually as well, meaning no single year of the project can exceed $150,000 even if the total stays under the three-year maximum. In practical terms, this is intended to provide stable, multi-year support at a level that can meaningfully fund a focused basic research effort, such as supporting graduate students or research staff time, supplies, and other research expenses consistent with AFOSR grant rules and the submitted budget.

AFOSR expects to make a substantial number of awards under this NOFO. The announcement indicates an anticipated thirty-seven traditionally funded YIP awards plus two additional YIP awards funded in partnership with the Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) specifically within the Quantum Information Sciences research discipline. The notice also flags the possibility of up to an additional 37 YIP awards supported by other AFOSR research funding, but all award counts ultimately depend on the availability of funds. In the opportunity record, the expected awards field lists 50, reflecting a relatively large cohort compared with many early-career programs, though the final number is still contingent on budget and program decisions.

The application process includes early-stage engagement steps before full proposals are due. Pre-proposal inquiries must be submitted no later than 04 July 2025, and AFOSR plans to post government responses by no later than 11 July 2025. White papers are due by 25 July 2025, and feedback is anticipated by no later than 22 August 2025, giving applicants a chance to refine fit, scope, and alignment before investing in a full submission. Full proposals are due on 19 September 2025, and the anticipated award date is 01 March 2026. These milestones make it clear that AFOSR is encouraging early communication and concept vetting, with the white paper serving as an important checkpoint for competitiveness and alignment with program priorities.

Administratively, this opportunity is a discretionary grant under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category, with CFDA number 12.800. The Funding Opportunity Number is NOFOAFRLAFOSR20250006, and the opportunity title is Air Force Fiscal Year 2026 Young Investigator Program (YIP). The original closing date aligns with the proposal deadline of 2025-09-19, and the opportunity was created on 2025-06-30. Overall, the YIP is positioned as a career-building, high-selectivity program for early-career faculty and researchers, offering meaningful multi-year support for basic research that connects, at least directionally, to Air Force and Space Force science and engineering interests.

• The Air Force Office of Scientific Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Air Force Fiscal Year 2026 Young Investigator Program (YIP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.800.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-06-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-19. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $450,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for NOFOAFRLAFOSR20250006

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: