Air Force -- Research Lab Grants
10 open grant opportunities from Air Force -- Research Lab, from Grants.gov — each with a plain-English summary of who qualifies, the deadline, and the award size.
GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE PROCESSING AND EXPLOITATION (GeoPEX)
Due Sep 30, 2026Air Force -- Research Lab · Up to $99.9M
This Air Force Research Laboratory opportunity funds geospatial intelligence processing and exploitation work, with awards potentially up to $99.9 million. Critically, it does not accept submissions through Grants.gov; all applications must go through SAM.gov following that portal's separate instructions. The deadline is September 30, 2026.
Large awardNarrow eligibilityCHEERS Open Period 1 - All Technical Areas
Due Sep 30, 2027Air Force -- Research Lab · Amount varies
This Air Force Research Laboratory opportunity (CHEERS) solicits white papers, and potentially later technical and cost proposals, on human performance research areas defined in attached statements of objectives. Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to clarification in the full announcement, so a range of organizations including businesses, nonprofits, and universities may be able to apply. Applicants must reference the related Multiple Authority Announcement to obtain required attachments. Award amounts are not specified, and specific eligibility terms are somewhat vague, so review the full solicitation carefully.
Small businessNonprofitsResearchersSchools & universities+1 moreCHEERS Open Period 2 - All Technical Areas
Due Sep 30, 2027Air Force -- Research Lab · Amount varies
This Air Force Research Laboratory solicitation (CHEERS) seeks white papers, and potentially later proposals, on human-effectiveness and aerospace-medicine research for experimental and test purposes in defense development. Eligibility is unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may apply, subject to clarifications in the notice. No award amount is specified. Applicants must reference the related Multiple Authority Announcement to obtain required attachments, and the work is tied to specific defense research objectives.
NonprofitsSmall businessResearchersSchools & universities+2 moreFOUNDATIONS OF TRUSTED SYSTEMS
Due Dec 5, 2028Air Force -- Research Lab · Up to $99.9M
This is an Air Force Research Lab research-and-development opportunity (Foundations of Trusted Systems) for organizations working in defense-related science and technology. The total ceiling across the program is very large (up to roughly $99.9M), so awards typically go to established research institutions, universities, and contractors rather than small applicants. Full eligibility and requirements are only in the linked SAM.gov notice, so review that posting before applying.
ResearchersSchools & universitiesLarge awardNarrow eligibilityCoordinating Austere Nodes through Virtualization and Analysis of Streams (CANVAS)
Due May 22, 2029Air Force -- Research Lab · Up to $24.9M
This Air Force Research Laboratory opportunity (CANVAS) funds research on coordinating austere/edge computing nodes through virtualization and analysis of data streams, with a ceiling reported up to roughly $24.9 million. No Grants.gov submissions are accepted; all applications must follow the instructions in the linked SAM.gov announcement, which also holds the full eligibility details. Prospective applicants must review the SAM.gov notice to determine whether they qualify.
ResearchersLarge awardResearch and Development (RAD) Directed Energy (RD) University Assistance Instruments
Due Jul 18, 2029Air Force -- Research Lab · Up to $49M
This Air Force Research Laboratory funding opportunity supports university research and development in directed energy, with a program cost ceiling of roughly $49 million and a mandatory letter of intent required before full proposals. The announcement is aimed at universities (university assistance instruments), but full eligibility details are in the FOA itself, which applicants must consult. Because it is defense-focused, expect a security risk review as part of the selection process.
Schools & universitiesResearchersLarge awardNarrow eligibilityAutomated Processes for Knowledge Discovery and Information Retrieval
Due Sep 9, 2029Air Force -- Research Lab · Up to $99M
This Air Force Research Laboratory opportunity funds research in automated knowledge discovery and information retrieval, with a ceiling reported up to roughly $99 million across the program. Note that no Grants.gov submissions are accepted; all applications must follow instructions in the linked SAM.gov announcement, which also contains the full eligibility details. Because the eligibility criteria are not stated here, prospective applicants must review the SAM.gov notice to confirm whether they qualify.
ResearchersLarge awardPioneering Aerospace Capabilities, Engineering and Research (PACER)
Due May 10, 2043Air Force -- Research Lab · Amount varies
This Air Force Research Lab opportunity lists unrestricted eligibility — any type of entity may apply unless later guidance narrows it further. It supports aerospace-related engineering and research capabilities, though the notice provided doesn't detail specific focus areas or funding amounts. The long-dated deadline suggests this functions as an open, rolling solicitation rather than a single competition.
Broad eligibilityResearchersContinuing Human Enabling Enhancing Restoring and Sustaining
Due Aug 22, 2044Air Force -- Research Lab · Amount varies
The Air Force Research Lab's CHEERS announcement funds science and technology work in human performance and aerospace medicine, spanning basic research through technology maturation, via multiple open solicitations accepting white papers. Eligibility is generally broad, but note specific constraints: Federally Funded Research and Development Centers face restrictions and must obtain sponsor and AFRL determinations, foreign-owned firms should contact the Contracting Officer first as restrictions may apply, and the Commercial Solutions Opening track is not grant-eligible. No award amounts are stated; review the paired solicitations for scope and instructions.
ResearchersSmall businessSchools & universitiesBroad eligibilitySTARBASE Wright Patt
ForecastedNo deadline listedAir Force -- Research Lab · Amount varies
STARBASE Wright Patt is a forecasted opportunity from the Air Force Research Lab with no eligibility, funding amount, or description currently available. STARBASE is a Department of Defense STEM education program for students, usually delivered through schools and educational organizations. Check the full announcement when released to confirm who is eligible to apply.
How many Air Force -- Research Lab grants are open right now?
UseGrants is tracking 10 open Air Force -- Research Lab opportunities. The next one closes Sep 30, 2026. The largest published award ceiling on this page is $99,900,000. The list is rebuilt from public records daily, so an opportunity drops off it the day its deadline passes.
Who can apply for Air Force -- Research Lab funding?
Eligibility is set per opportunity, not per agency — the same funder will run one program open to any nonprofit and another restricted to accredited universities. Across the Air Force -- Research Lab opportunities listed here the recurring eligibility signals are large award, narrow eligibility, small business and nonprofits. Every listing still states its own terms in plain English; confirm them on the funder's official notice before you apply.