University of Georgia Research Institute

Early Career Investigator Programs

The Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA offers a number of research funding opportunities for early career faculty, with the long-term goal of developing the next generation of academic scientists, engineers and mathematicians in strategic disciplines whose research aligns with agency mission and priorities. For current opportunities, search Grants.gov.

AF Young Investigator Program (U.S. Air Force)

Objective: “Foster creative basic research in science and engineering; enhance early career development of outstanding young investigators; and increase opportunities for the young investigator to recognize the Air Force mission and related challenges in science and engineering”

More information: https://community.apan.org/wg/afosr/w/researchareas/12792/young-investigator-program-yip/

Lookout for posting: April-May

NASA Early Career Faculty

Objective: “ECF challenges early career faculty to examine the theoretical feasibility of ideas and approaches that are critical to making science, space travel, and exploration more effective, affordable, and sustainable”

More information: https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/strg/archives_stro.html

Lookout for posting: April-May

ONR Young Investigator Program (U.S. Navy)

Objective: “Attract outstanding faculty members of Institutions of Higher Education (hereafter also called “universities”) to the Department of the Navy’s Science and Technology (S&T) research program, to support their research, and to encourage their teaching and research careers”

More information: https://www.nre.navy.mil/education-outreach/sponsored-research/yip

Lookout for posting: May-June

DARPA Young Faculty Award

Objective: “Identify and engage researchers in junior faculty positions at U.S. academic and non-profit research institutions and expose them to Department of Defense (DoD) needs and DARPA’s program development process”

More information: https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/for-universities/young-faculty-award

Lookout for posting: July-August

ARO Early Career Program (ECP, U.S. Army)

Objective: “ARO ECP awards are funded by the Army to support early career scientists and engineers who show exceptional ability and promise for conducting basic research. The objective of the ECP Award is to foster creative basic research in science and engineering; enhance development of outstanding early career investigators; and increase opportunities for early career investigators to pursue research in areas relevant to the Army.”

More information: Typical awards are funded up to $120,000 per year for 3 years.  Proposals are sought for research that supports the ARO research topics identified on the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) topics website at https://www.arl.army.mil/opportunities/arl-baa

Lookout for posting: check current BAA