RFI-FA8651-01: Geographically Separated Unmanned System Challenge
Closed
This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: ERDC Broad Agency Announcement (W912HZ26S0001). Status: Closes January 1, 2027 (55 days left). It is in our archive of Munitions Directorate notices from 2022.
Munitions Directorate offered grants to any type of organization. It expected to make one award worth $1 in total. Applications closed on July 13, 2022.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed July 6, 2022. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Total funding$1
- Expected awards1
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | July 6, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | July 13, 2022 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | July 20, 2022 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to any type of organization.
- Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"
Is this a realistic fit?
- Most of the program's money (69% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) seeks solutions that directly maintain and/or cultivate a diverse, world-class Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce to maintain the U.S. Air Force and Space Force's technological superiority. AFRL/RW seeks information from organizations that can execute a STEM challenge for undergraduate science and engineering students. The challenge will be centered on a Quadrupedal Unmanned Ground Vehicle (Q-UGV) and will focus on finding the best solution to utilize a Q-UGV to provide facility and perimeter security. The Following are the primary areas that the challenge must undertake: 1 - Find a way to automate the Q-UGV so that it can perform security without the need of the tablet to control it 2 - Utilize all of the available sensors in a way that provides the maximum amount of coverage/security As a capacity of the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Science and Technology (S&T) workforce is interconnected with STEM education and out reach, AFRL/RW recognizes the need to support efforts that can jointly improve STEM student outcomes and align education and outreach efforts with DAF S&T current and future workforce. Please provide responses to this RFI by email to Jane Ellison at jane.ellison@us.af.mil no later than 13 Jul 2022, by 1:00 PM central time zone. Please include RFI number RFI-FA8651-01 in the subject line. All inquires concerning this RFI are to be sent to Jane Ellison. There is not funding to be provided for responses to this notice. This is not the award of a grant. This is to understand if the capability is available to potentially award a grant for this effort.
Who has won Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering (12.630) awarded $1.3 billion across 1,101 grant awards, an average of $1.1 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battelle Memorial Institute | Ohio | 1 | $82.6 million |
| Msi Stem Research & Development Consortium | District of Columbia | 1 | $78.2 million |
| University of California San Diego | California | 4 | $53.1 million |
| Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation | Connecticut | 4 | $38.1 million |
| The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | 3 | $35.0 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, W912HZ26S0001, 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 RFI-FA8651-01 still open?
No. It closed on July 13, 2022. A newer notice is open: W912HZ26S0001, closes January 1, 2027 (55 days left).
Who can apply for Geographically Separated Unmanned System Challenge?
Munitions Directorate accepted applications from any type of organization.
What is the deadline for Geographically Separated Unmanned System Challenge?
Closed July 13, 2022. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
About $1 in total for one award.
Who has won Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Battelle Memorial Institute, Msi Stem Research & Development Consortium, University of California San Diego. The program made 1,101 awards worth $1.3 billion in that time.