FOA-AFRL-AFOSR-2021-0005: CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (COE): Brain-Derived Neuromorphic Computing with Intelligent Materials
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: AFRL/AFOSR Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 University Center for High-Speed Aerothermoelasticity (FA955027S0001). Status: Closes April 2, 2027 (146 days left). It is in our archive of Air Force Office of Scientific Research notices from 2021.
Air Force Office of Scientific Research offered grants of up to $5.0 million to colleges and universities. It expected to make about 5 awards. Applications closed on August 16, 2021.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed April 15, 2021. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$5.0 million
- Expected awards5
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | April 15, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | August 16, 2021 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | September 16, 2021 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to colleges and universities.
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
All responsible, potential applicants from academia are eligible to submit proposals.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program awards averaged $943,430; this notice allows up to $5.0 million per award.
- Most of the program's money (59% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) describes the research objectives of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) university Center of Excellence (COE) in Brain-Derived Neuromorphic Computing with Intelligent Materials, which addresses research objectives of the United States Space Force (USSF) and the United States Air Force (USAF). A university COE is defined as a joint effort among Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Air Force Research Laboratory Technology Directorates (AFRL TDs), and an outstanding university or team of universities to perform high-priority collaborative research. This center is a joint project between AFOSR, the Information Directorate (AFRL/RI), and the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX). This Center of Excellence is anticipated to extend the research interests of AFRL in the topical area of neuromorphic computing and provide opportunities for a new generation of US scientists and engineers to address United States Space Force (USSF) and United States Air Force (USAF) research needs. This is a special FOA because it explicitly calls for (a) research in the high-priority Air Force interest areas of neuroscience, neuromorphic computing, and nanomaterials; and (b) education of students within the US in vital technology areas with opportunities for potential recruitment of US nationals for employment at AFRL. In conjunction with AFRL, AFOSR invites proposals for research in the areas described in detail below. The schedule for this announcement is given in Section B, Federal Award Information. This research effort will consist of multidisciplinary teams of researchers with the skills needed to address the relevant research challenges necessary to meet the program’s goals. Multi-investigator teaming is encouraged. Multi-university teams are allowed. Under no circumstances will the Government help to create teams.
Who has won Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program (12.800) awarded $3.7 billion across 3,902 grant awards, an average of $943,430 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem | California | 1 | $539 million |
| National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining | Pennsylvania | 2 | $309 million |
| Flextech Alliance, Inc. | California | 1 | $233 million |
| The Research Foundation for the State University of New York | New York | 3 | $128 million |
| Cornell University | New York | 52 | $74.0 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, FA955027S0001, which is open now.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is FOA-AFRL-AFOSR-2021-0005 still open?
No. It closed on August 16, 2021. A newer notice is open: FA955027S0001, closes April 2, 2027 (146 days left).
Who can apply for CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (COE): Brain-Derived Neuromorphic Computing with Intelligent Materials?
Air Force Office of Scientific Research accepted applications from colleges and universities. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (COE): Brain-Derived Neuromorphic Computing with Intelligent Materials?
Closed August 16, 2021. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $5.0 million each.
Who has won Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem, National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, Flextech Alliance, Inc. The program made 3,902 awards worth $3.7 billion in that time.