CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: Design of High Electrical Strength Materials | FOA AFRL AFOSR 2018 0004

Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA AFRL AFOSR 2018 0004

The "CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: Design of High Electrical Strength Materials" opportunity (FOA AFRL AFOSR 2018 0004) is a Department of Defense research grant run by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) to establish a University Center of Excellence (COE) focused on materials that can withstand very high electric fields before breaking down. It is framed as a special Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), meaning it is intended to attract advanced science and technology research ideas rather than procure a specific commercial product. The core goal is to fund a single, top-tier university-led effort (either one university or a team of universities) that can deliver high-priority, collaborative research that aligns with Air Force needs in high critical electric field strength materials, which are relevant to high-voltage, high-power, and electrically demanding defense systems.

A COE in this context is defined as a structured partnership among AFOSR, specific Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) technology organizations, and an outstanding academic performer (or consortium). This particular center is described as a joint project involving AFOSR together with AFRL's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX) and Sensors Directorate (AFRL/RY). That structure signals that the research is expected to be both scientifically ambitious and tightly connected to real Air Force technology challenges, bridging fundamental discovery (AFOSR's traditional lane) with transition-oriented laboratory stakeholders (AFRL directorates) who care about performance, reliability, manufacturability, and system integration.

From an administrative and eligibility standpoint, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, listed under CFDA 12.800. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and potentially other entities as clarified in the solicitation's additional eligibility language. In practical terms, the emphasis on a COE strongly suggests that the government is looking for a lead academic institution capable of coordinating a multi-investigator program, managing collaboration across institutions when relevant, and sustaining a cohesive technical vision that ties together materials design, electrical strength characterization, and application-driven requirements.

The funding profile reflects a major single-award research center. The opportunity anticipated one award with an award ceiling of $5,000,000. The FOA was posted June 14, 2018, with an original closing date of August 13, 2018. While the excerpt does not specify the performance period, staffing model, or required deliverables, the COE format typically implies a multi-year program with coordinated research thrusts, shared infrastructure or test capabilities where appropriate, and regular engagement with Air Force technical points of contact to ensure alignment and progress toward Air Force-relevant outcomes.

In short, this grant opportunity was designed to stand up one Air Force-sponsored academic center dedicated to the design and development of materials exhibiting high critical electric field strength, supported by AFOSR in partnership with AFRL organizations that have direct interest in materials and sensor-related applications. The government intent is to concentrate resources into a single, highly capable academic hub that can produce foundational scientific advances while maintaining a clear line of sight to Air Force technology priorities.

• The Department of Defense, Air Force Office of Scientific Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: Design of High Electrical Strength Materials" 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 Jun 14, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 13, 2018. (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 $5,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for FOA AFRL AFOSR 2018 0004

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