AFOSR - Funding Opportunities - Educational Programs


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VISITING SCIENTIST PROGRAM (VSP)
Submission Date
: ongoing 

Description: The Visiting Scientist Program (VSP) provides opportunities for outstanding Air Force scientists and engineers (AF S&Es) to conduct full-time research at a non-government laboratory located within the USA. The duration of a VSP visit can be up to 179 days. The visits can be shorter, and can consist of non-contiguous durations as appropriate. AFOSR pays all TDY costs, while the AF S&E’s home organization continues to pay all other costs. Upon completion of the TDY the AF S&E returns to her/his home organization.

The four goals for the program are:

  • Enable AF S&Es to conduct research side-by-side with prominent researchers at their home organizations, which may include the use of experimental facilities not available at the S&E’s home organization.
  • Transition skills and knowledge from the organization back to the home organization.
  • Create and/or deepen relationships with researchers, including the development of collaborations that endure beyond the duration of the VSP visit.
  • Provide an opportunity for AF S&Es to broaden their awareness of and experience in the domestic S&T community to enhance their career development and increase their ability to contribute to the S&T mission of the Air Force.
    VSP Brochure

Contact: Ms. Joanne Maurice 
AFOSR/ION
Email:
vsp.afosr@us.af.mil

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AWARDS TO STIMULATE AND SUPPORT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCES (ASSURE)

The ASSURE program supports undergraduate research in DoD relevant disciplines and is designed to increase the number of high-quality undergraduate science and engineering majors who ultimately decide to pursue advanced degrees in these fields. A strong U.S. science and engineering workforce is of clear interest to the DoD, as the capability of producing superior technology is essential for future national security.

The ASSURE program aims to provide valuable research opportunities for undergraduates, either through ongoing research programs or through projects specially designed for this purpose. Research projects should allow high quality interaction of students with faculty and/or other research mentors and access to appropriate facilities and professional development opportunities. Active research experience is considered one of the most effective ways to attract and retain talented undergraduates in science and engineering.

ASSURE projects must have a well-defined common focus that enables a research related experience for students. Projects may be based in a single discipline or academic department, or interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a strong intellectual focus. Each proposal should reflect the unique combination of the proposing institution's interests and capabilities. Applicants are encouraged to involve students in research who might not otherwise have the opportunity, particularly those from institutions where research programs are limited. Thus, a significant fraction of the student participants should come from outside the host institution. In addition, DoD is interested in strengthening institutions with limited research programs and especially encourages proposals that help to enhance the research infrastructure in predominantly undergraduate four-year institutions. Student participants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.

The DoD ASSURE budget is $4.5 million annually. DoD expected ASSURE budget for new projects is approximately $1.5 million; this funding will be distributed among fifteen to twenty new ASSURE awards. DoD relevance will be considered in making funding decisions. Projects may be carried out during the summer months, during the academic year, or both. Sites may be proposed for durations of one to five years, with a three-year duration being typical.

DoD executes the ASSURE program collaboratively with the National Science Foundation (NSF) through its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites Program. DoD funded ASSURE sites will be selected by DoD scientists and engineers, but will be overseen by NSF as part of the NSF portfolio of REU Sites. There is no separate application for the ASSURE program; ASSURE funding is awarded through the NSF REU Sites Program.

Information about the NSF REU Program can be found at: NSF Program Solicitation NSF 05-592

Students apply directly to REU Sites and should consult the directory of active REU Sites 

Contact: Program Coordinator
Email:
assure@us.af.mil

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ENGINEER AND SCIENTIST EXCHANGE PROGRAM (ESEP)

The Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program (ESEP) is a DoD effort to promote international cooperation in military research, development, and acquisition through the exchange of defense scientists and engineers.  It provides on-site working assignments for US military and civilian engineers and scientists in allied and friendly governments' organizations and the reciprocal assignment of foreign engineers and scientists in US defense establishments. A prerequisite for establishing the program is a formal international agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each participant nation.  Currently, DoD has signed agreements with Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Chile, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Primary goals of ESEP are:

  • Broaden perspectives in research and development techniques and methods
  • Form a cadre of internationally experienced professionals to enhance USAF research and development programs
  • Gain insight into foreign research and development expertise, methods, organizational structures, procedures, production, logistics, testing, and management systems
  • Cultivate future international cooperative endeavors
  • Avoid duplication of research efforts

Air Force personnel are selected on a competitive basis for a 2-year tour which may be preceded by 24-28 weeks of language training.  SAF/IA advertises the program to the USAF at large to recruit applicants, usually in October with an application due date in the following February.  Ad hoc placements (non-competitive) can be initiated by research sites; however these are funded solely by their initiators.  Foreign S&Es are usually assigned to DoD organization for 12 month periods.  AFOSR/ION is responsible for managing placement of ESEP exchanges within the Air Force.  SAF/IAPC (Armaments Cooperation Division, Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs), the program Executive Agent, provides policy guidance.  AFOSR/ION implements all actions for USAF participants once their selection is approved, and for the placement of foreign ESEP participants in Air Force organizations.

Contact: Phil Gibber
AFOSR/ION
E-mail: 
esep.afosr@us.af.mil 

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AFRL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (STFP)

Submission Dates:  November 1, February 1, May 1, and August 1 

Program Description:  The STFP offers postdoctoral and senior scientists and engineers opportunities to perform research at sponsoring Air Force laboratory sites. The objectives of this program are:

1.     to provide researchers of unusual promise and ability opportunities to solve problems, largely of their own choice, that are compatible with the interests of the hosting laboratories; and

2.     to contribute to the overall efforts of the Air Force laboratories.

Eligibility: Research Associateships are offered to U.S. citizens only. 

Postdoctoral Research Associateships are awarded to scientists/engineers who have held doctorates for less than five years at the time of application. The awards are made initially for one year and may be renewed for a second year, and in some cases, a third year.

Senior Research Associateships are awarded to individuals who have held doctorates for more than five years, have significant research experience, and are recognized internationally as experts in their specialized fields, as evidenced by numerous refereed journal publications, invited presentations, authorship of books or book chapters, and professional society awards of international stature. Although awards to senior associates are usually for one year, awards for periods of three months or longer may be considered. Renewals for a second and third year are possible. Senior associates must be eligible for access to unclassified government information systems; eligibility is also subject to a successful background review and visit authorization that includes approved access to the Air Force base and its laboratory facilities.

Benefits:  Associates are considered independent contractors, and receive a stipend from the NRC while carrying out their proposed research. Annual stipends increase with additional years past the Ph.D. An appropriately higher stipend is offered to senior associates. Awardees also receive a relocation reimbursement, healthcare coverage, and limited funds for professional travel.

Fill out the online application to apply.

Contact:  The program is currently administered by The National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council (NRC).

Research Associateship Programs (Keck 568)
National Research Council
500 Fifth St, NW, Washington DC 20001

(202) 334-2760

Email: rap@nas.edu 
http://www.national-academies.org/rap 

POC: Ellen M. Robinson
(703) 588-8527
DSN 425-8527
FAX: (703) 696-8450

Email: nrc.rra@us.af.mil  

 

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USAF SUMMER FACULTY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (USAF-SFFP)

The SFFP offers fellowships to university faculty to conduct research at one of the Air Force research facilities in the summer. The objectives of the Summer Faculty Fellowship Program are to:

1.  stimulate professional relationships among SFFP fellows and the scientists and engineers in AFRL Technical Directorates and other Air Force
     research facilities;

2.  elevate the awareness in the U.S. academic community of Air Force research needs and foster continued research at SFFP fellows' institutions; and

3.  provide the faculty opportunities to perform high-quality research at AFRL Technical Directorates and other Air Force research facilities.

SFFP fellows conduct research in collaboration with Air Force researchers for a continuous summer period of eight to twelve weeks at the Technical Directorates of the Air Force Research Laboratory, the US Air Force Academy, or the Air Force Institute of Technology.

A final report is required at the completion of the summer appointment. 

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have an earned Ph.D. in science or engineering. Fellows must be eligible for access to unclassified government information systems; the fellowship award is subject to a successful background review and visit authorization that includes approved access to an Air Force installation and its laboratory facilities. 

Fellows are awarded in different categories including both early career investigator and senior investigator. The stipend is based on the category. Each SFFP award is for one summer. The SFFP fellow may reapply for up to two additional summers, for a maximum of three summer awards. Starting in Fiscal Year 2010, selected fellows may bring a graduate student with them to assist in research on their assignment. 

An on-line application is available at: http://afsffp.sysplus.com/

The program is currently administered by Systems Plus, Inc:

Systems Plus, Inc.
One Research Court Suite 360
Rockville, MD  20850

http://afsffp.sysplus.com/

Contact:  Mr. Raheem Lawal
Email:
sffp.afosr@us.af.mil

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WINDOW ON SCIENCE (WOS)

Submission Date: ongoing 

The Window on Science (WOS) program facilitates technical interactions on fundamental research via direct contact between distinguished foreign researchers and Air Force Research Laboratory scientists and engineers. 

The WOS program sponsors foreign scientists and engineers to visit Air Force scientists and engineers at USAF sites typically within the U.S., but may also include other domestic or overseas locations. Although WOS visits are designed to be short-term in nature, visits to multiple sites are encouraged. 

In order to present their research to a greater audience, and to further Air Force interests, WOS visitors may also combine visits to Air Force R&D organizations with visits to Army, Navy, other government, university, or industrial facilities. 

The European Office of Aerospace Research and Development (EOARD), London, United Kingdom, manages this program for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and countries of the former Soviet Union. 

The Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (AOARD), Tokyo, Japan manages this program for the remainder of Asia and the Pacific Rim. 

The Southern Office of Aerospace Research and Development (SOARD), located in Santiago, Chile manages the WOS program for the Americas, but administers the program from AFOSR/ION located in Arlington, Virginia. 

Participants in the WOS program will be foreign non-government researchers identified as subject matter experts by AFRL program officers, and whose visit benefits Air Force scientists and engineers. Travelers may be eligible to receive payment for their services; however, base clearance requests for unpaid non-government visitors can also be handled under the WOS program. Visitors will normally present seminars to discuss their work, which may or may not have been funded by the Air Force.

The WOS program is not intended as a substitute for research programs, internships, associateships, or personnel exchange programs. The lead-time necessary to arrange a WOS visit is generally three months. A letter report from the traveler is required on completion of the visit. The following offices manage the program. 

EOARD
AOARD
SOARD 

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WINDOWS ON THE WORLD (WOW)

Submission Date: ongoing 

Description: The Windows on the World (WOW) program provides opportunities for outstanding Air Force scientists and engineers (AF S&Es) to conduct full-time research at a non-government foreign laboratory. The duration of a WOW visit can be up to 179 days. The visits can be shorter, and can consist of non-contiguous durations as appropriate. AFOSR pays all TDY costs, while the AF S&E’s home organization continues to pay all other costs. Upon completion of the TDY the AF S&E returns to her/his home organization.

The four goals for the program are:

•       Enable AF S&Es to conduct research side-by-side with prominent international researchers at their home organizations, which may include the use of experimental facilities not available at the S&E’s home organization.

•       Transition skills and knowledge from the international organization back to the home organization.

•       Create and/or deepen relationships with international researchers, including the development of collaborations that endure beyond the duration of the WOW visit.

•       Provide an opportunity for AF S&Es to broaden their awareness of and experience in the international S&T community to enhance their career development and increase their ability to contribute to the S&T mission of the Air Force.

WOW Brochure 

Contact: Phil Gibber
AFOSR/ION
Email:
wow.afosr@us.af.mil  

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