Department of Defense’s Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship for Basic Research

Research Objectives

The VBFF program is sponsored by the Basic Research Office, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD (R&E)). VBFF supports innovative basic research within academia, as well as opportunities intended to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers for the defense workforce.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) manages the VBFF program for USD (R&E). To accomplish this task, ONR is soliciting proposals for the VBFF program through this FOA. This FOA seeks distinguished researchers for the purpose of conducting innovative basic research in areas of interest to the DoD and fostering long-term relationships between the VBFF Fellows and the DoD.

As defined by the DoD, basic research is “systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs. It is farsighted high payoff research that provides the basis for technological progress.” (DoD 7000.14-R, vol. 2B, chap. 5, para. 050105.A) (http://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/Volume_02b.pdf ) The DoD’s basic research program invests broadly in many scientific fields to ensure that it has early cognizance of new scientific knowledge.

 VBFF is oriented towards bold and ambitious “blue sky” research that may lead to extraordinary outcomes such as revolutionizing entire disciplines, creating entirely new fields, or disrupting accepted theories and perspectives.

The objectives of the program are to:

• Support unclassified basic scientific and engineering research that could be the foundation for future revolutionary new capabilities for DoD.
• Educate and train student and post-doctoral researchers for the defense workforce.
• Foster long-term relationships between university researchers and the DoD.
• Familiarize university researchers and their students with DoD’s current and projected future challenges.
• Increase the number of talented technical experts that DoD can call upon.
• This FOA is for single investigator grant proposals for basic research. All awardees will receive a research grant and the title of VBFF Fellow. VBFF Fellows and their students are provided with opportunities that are designed to enhance their understanding of DoD’s critical research needs and interact with DoD senior Science and Technology (S&T) program leaders. Fellows and their students are expected to attend VBFF activities scheduled throughout the year. These activities may include an orientation meeting, site visits to DoD labs, technical workshops, and an annual meeting to report the progress of VBFF–sponsored research. VBFF Fellows may also be encouraged to serve as members of DoD advisory boards, panels, or groups. For a list of current and past VBFF or NSSEFF Fellows, refer to: https://basicresearch.defense.gov/Programs/Vannevar-Bush-Faculty-Fellowship/.

SEE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT UNDER RELATED DOCUMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

Research Objectives

The VBFF program is sponsored by the Basic Research Office, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD (R&E)). VBFF supports innovative basic research within academia, as well as opportunities intended to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers for the defense workforce.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) manages the VBFF program for USD (R&E). To accomplish this task, ONR is soliciting proposals for the VBFF program through this FOA. This FOA seeks distinguished researchers for the purpose of conducting innovative basic research in areas of interest to the DoD and fostering long-term relationships between the VBFF Fellows and the DoD.

As defined by the DoD, basic research is “systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs. It is farsighted high payoff research that provides the basis for technological progress.” (DoD 7000.14-R, vol. 2B, chap. 5, para. 050105.A) (http://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/Volume_02b.pdf ) The DoD’s basic research program invests broadly in many scientific fields to ensure that it has early cognizance of new scientific knowledge.

 VBFF is oriented towards bold and ambitious “blue sky” research that may lead to extraordinary outcomes such as revolutionizing entire disciplines, creating entirely new fields, or disrupting accepted theories and perspectives.

The objectives of the program are to:

• Support unclassified basic scientific and engineering research that could be the foundation for future revolutionary new capabilities for DoD.
• Educate and train student and post-doctoral researchers for the defense workforce.
• Foster long-term relationships between university researchers and the DoD.
• Familiarize university researchers and their students with DoD’s current and projected future challenges.
• Increase the number of talented technical experts that DoD can call upon.
• This FOA is for single investigator grant proposals for basic research. All awardees will receive a research grant and the title of VBFF Fellow. VBFF Fellows and their students are provided with opportunities that are designed to enhance their understanding of DoD’s critical research needs and interact with DoD senior Science and Technology (S&T) program leaders. Fellows and their students are expected to attend VBFF activities scheduled throughout the year. These activities may include an orientation meeting, site visits to DoD labs, technical workshops, and an annual meeting to report the progress of VBFF–sponsored research. VBFF Fellows may also be encouraged to serve as members of DoD advisory boards, panels, or groups. For a list of current and past VBFF or NSSEFF Fellows, refer to: https://basicresearch.defense.gov/Programs/Vannevar-Bush-Faculty-Fellowship/.

SEE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT UNDER RELATED DOCUMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

Research Objectives

The VBFF program is sponsored by the Basic Research Office, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD (R&E)). VBFF supports innovative basic research within academia, as well as opportunities intended to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers for the defense workforce.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) manages the VBFF program for USD (R&E). To accomplish this task, ONR is soliciting proposals for the VBFF program through this FOA. This FOA seeks distinguished researchers for the purpose of conducting innovative basic research in areas of interest to the DoD and fostering long-term relationships between the VBFF Fellows and the DoD.

As defined by the DoD, basic research is “systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs. It is farsighted high payoff research that provides the basis for technological progress.” (DoD 7000.14-R, vol. 2B, chap. 5, para. 050105.A) (http://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/Volume_02b.pdf ) The DoD’s basic research program invests broadly in many scientific fields to ensure that it has early cognizance of new scientific knowledge.

 VBFF is oriented towards bold and ambitious “blue sky” research that may lead to extraordinary outcomes such as revolutionizing entire disciplines, creating entirely new fields, or disrupting accepted theories and perspectives.

The objectives of the program are to:

• Support unclassified basic scientific and engineering research that could be the foundation for future revolutionary new capabilities for DoD.
• Educate and train student and post-doctoral researchers for the defense workforce.
• Foster long-term relationships between university researchers and the DoD.
• Familiarize university researchers and their students with DoD’s current and projected future challenges.
• Increase the number of talented technical experts that DoD can call upon.
• This FOA is for single investigator grant proposals for basic research. All awardees will receive a research grant and the title of VBFF Fellow. VBFF Fellows and their students are provided with opportunities that are designed to enhance their understanding of DoD’s critical research needs and interact with DoD senior Science and Technology (S&T) program leaders. Fellows and their students are expected to attend VBFF activities scheduled throughout the year. These activities may include an orientation meeting, site visits to DoD labs, technical workshops, and an annual meeting to report the progress of VBFF–sponsored research. VBFF Fellows may also be encouraged to serve as members of DoD advisory boards, panels, or groups. For a list of current and past VBFF or NSSEFF Fellows, refer to: https://basicresearch.defense.gov/Programs/Vannevar-Bush-Faculty-Fellowship/.

SEE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT UNDER RELATED DOCUMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

Only accredited U.S. institutions of higher education (universities) with doctoral degree- granting programs are eligible to apply. DoD institutions are not eligible to apply.

Grants to a university may be terminated if the principal investigator (PI) severs connections with the university or is unable to continue active participation in the research. Grants to a university may also be terminated if the university severs connections with the PI.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to submit proposals. However, no portion of this FOA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation.

Non-profit and for-profit organizations may collaborate on proposed research and may receive VBFF funds via sub-award or subcontract, but Universities must perform the majority of the proposed work and receive the majority of funds. Although collaborators are allowed, the VBFF is a single-investigator award and the proposal and management plan should reflect this intent. It is expected that the fraction of the budget paid to collaborators would amount to no more than 20% of the total requested funding over the entire 5 years space of the proposed research. There is no restriction on unpaid collaborators. While expenses related to equipment purchase or assembly are not given a fixed limit, excessively large budgets dedicated to that purpose will require exceptional justification, and may otherwise be viewed as detrimental to the purposes of the program, as described in Section II.A.

Government agencies, DoD or other government laboratories and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), as well as foreign institutions may collaborate on proposed research but may not receive VBFF funds, directly or via sub-award.

2. Eligible Individuals

Faculty with tenure at the time of proposal submission, with a record of substantial scientific contributions and the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to conduct the proposed research as the principal investigator (PI), are invited to submit an application. The PI must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Applicants can have a dual-appointment with other domestic or foreign Universities, as well as non-eligible institutions such as a Government agency or laboratory or FFRDC. In such cases, the time dedicated to the effort by the PI, and the associated salary, must be fully accounted for by the employing and eligible University, and reflected in the submitted management and budget plans. Applicants will be required to guarantee their eligibility at the time of proposal submission.

Research Objectives

The VBFF program is sponsored by the Basic Research Office, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD (R&E)). VBFF supports innovative basic research within academia, as well as opportunities intended to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers for the defense workforce.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) manages the VBFF program for USD (R&E). To accomplish this task, ONR is soliciting proposals for the VBFF program through this FOA. This FOA seeks distinguished researchers for the purpose of conducting innovative basic research in areas of interest to the DoD and fostering long-term relationships between the VBFF Fellows and the DoD.

As defined by the DoD, basic research is “systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs. It is farsighted high payoff research that provides the basis for technological progress.” (DoD 7000.14-R, vol. 2B, chap. 5, para. 050105.A) (http://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/Volume_02b.pdf ) The DoD’s basic research program invests broadly in many scientific fields to ensure that it has early cognizance of new scientific knowledge.

 VBFF is oriented towards bold and ambitious “blue sky” research that may lead to extraordinary outcomes such as revolutionizing entire disciplines, creating entirely new fields, or disrupting accepted theories and perspectives.

The objectives of the program are to:

• Support unclassified basic scientific and engineering research that could be the foundation for future revolutionary new capabilities for DoD.
• Educate and train student and post-doctoral researchers for the defense workforce.
• Foster long-term relationships between university researchers and the DoD.
• Familiarize university researchers and their students with DoD’s current and projected future challenges.
• Increase the number of talented technical experts that DoD can call upon.
• This FOA is for single investigator grant proposals for basic research. All awardees will receive a research grant and the title of VBFF Fellow. VBFF Fellows and their students are provided with opportunities that are designed to enhance their understanding of DoD’s critical research needs and interact with DoD senior Science and Technology (S&T) program leaders. Fellows and their students are expected to attend VBFF activities scheduled throughout the year. These activities may include an orientation meeting, site visits to DoD labs, technical workshops, and an annual meeting to report the progress of VBFF–sponsored research. VBFF Fellows may also be encouraged to serve as members of DoD advisory boards, panels, or groups. For a list of current and past VBFF or NSSEFF Fellows, refer to: https://basicresearch.defense.gov/Programs/Vannevar-Bush-Faculty-Fellowship/.

SEE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT UNDER RELATED DOCUMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.