The Air Force Fiscal Year 2027 Young Investigator Program (YIP) is a grant opportunity for early career scientists and engineers to conduct basic research. It aims to support those who have shown exceptional ability and promise, and it seeks to enhance their career development while aligning with the Air Force and Space Force missions. Successful applicants can receive up to $150,000 per year for three years, totaling $450,000.
Who it's for: This grant is for early career scientists and engineers who have received their Ph.D. or equivalent degree on or after April 1, 2019. Applicants must be employed full-time at a U.S. institution of higher education, industrial laboratory, for-profit, or non-profit research organization. The principal investigator must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
More details
Likely Disqualifiers
- Principal Investigator is not a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
- Principal Investigator received their Ph.D. before April 1, 2019.
- Applicant is employed at a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) or Department of War (DoW) Laboratory.
- Principal Investigator does not hold a regular, non-contractor position.
- Proposal development costs are not reimbursed.
What You May Need
- Ph.D. or equivalent degree documentation.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship, nationality, or permanent residency.
- Full-time employment verification at an eligible institution.
- White paper submission by October 9, 2026.
- Full proposal submission by December 4, 2026.
- Data management plan.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or bios of key personnel.
Cautions
- Amendments to the NOFO may occur; check Grants.gov for updates.
- White papers are required and must be submitted by the deadline.
- Proposals must include a detailed data management plan.
- No reimbursement for proposal development costs.
Generated from official source details for readability
Eligibility
Eligible Applicant Types
Additional Criteria
Eligible applicants include U.S. institutions of higher education (both public and private), industrial laboratories, for-profit organizations, and non-profit research organizations. The principal investigator must be employed full-time and hold a regular, non-contractor position. They must also be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident. Researchers at Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) or Department of War (DoW) Laboratories are not eligible.
Overview
This grant is for early career scientists and engineers who have received their Ph.D. or equivalent degree on or after April 1, 2019. Applicants must be employed full-time at a U.S. institution of higher education, industrial laboratory, for-profit, or non-profit research organization. The principal investigator must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
Likely Disqualifiers
- Principal Investigator is not a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
- Principal Investigator received their Ph.D. before April 1, 2019.
- Applicant is employed at a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) or Department of War (DoW) Laboratory.
- Principal Investigator does not hold a regular, non-contractor position.
- Proposal development costs are not reimbursed.
Use of Funds
Funds can be used to support basic research activities, including personnel, equipment, and materials necessary for the research project. Each year, up to $150,000 can be allocated, with a total of $450,000 over three years.
Total Program Funding
$4,500,000
Expected Awards
50
Cost Sharing
Not Required
Important Dates
- Posted
- Sep 8, 2026
- Deadline
- Dec 4, 2026(42 days)
- Archive Date
- Jan 3, 2027
- Last Updated
- Sep 8, 2026
- Est. Award Date (AI estimate)
- May 2027
Application Checklist
- Verify eligibility criteria (Ph.D. date, citizenship, employment status).
- Prepare and submit a white paper by October 9, 2026.
- Develop a data management plan.
- Submit full proposal via Grants.gov by December 4, 2026.
- Consult with AFOSR Program Officer(s) before full proposal submission.
- Monitor Grants.gov for any NOFO amendments.
- Prepare CVs or bios for key personnel.