AFOSR HBCU/MI Program

AFOSR HBCU/MI Program

Supports minority-serving and historically black institutions through foundational Air Force research grants.

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) program funds basic research at federally designated HBCUs and minority-serving institutions across AFOSR's scientific priority areas, including quantum science, photonics, materials, information science, aerospace engineering, and biological sciences. The program operates two distinct funding tracks. Under the AFOSR Core Research track, eligible institutions submit proposals directly to AFOSR, which are reviewed by Program Officers and funded from a director-managed set-aside allocation. The DoD Infrastructure for HBCU/MI track is co-administered with the Army Research Office (ARO) and typically releases a Broad Agency Announcement in the fall each year on the ARO website (army.mil/aro).

Eligibility is restricted to institutions that carry a current federal designation as an HBCU or minority-serving institution; for-profit companies, non-profit research organizations, and non-designated universities are not eligible. Published award amounts are not specified in AFOSR fact sheets, and prospective applicants are directed to contact HBCUMI@us.af.mil or call (703) 696-7318 for current funding levels and open cycles. The program is funded as a grant instrument under CFDA 12.800 (Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program). AFOSR's broader BAA (FA955025S0001) — which also accepts HBCU/MI proposals — was temporarily closed in March 2026 pending alignment with DoW priorities under Executive Order 14332, with a successor BAA expected at a later date to be announced.

To compete effectively, institutions should identify a research topic that aligns with the active research interests of specific AFOSR Program Officers and submit a white paper or proposal through the channels specified in the open BAA. Prior engagement with an AFOSR Program Officer before a full proposal is strongly recommended and is common practice in the AFOSR research community.