Opportunity Information: Apply for FA8650 19 S 2002
Structural Integrity Research Collaborations for Aircraft (SIRCA) is a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) funding opportunity designed to build and sustain collaborative research partnerships focused on aircraft structural integrity. The program is aimed at bringing together AFRL, academic researchers, and industry teams to work on science and technology challenges that directly affect the safety, durability, and mission readiness of aircraft. In practical terms, SIRCA supports research that improves how aircraft structures are analyzed, predicted, designed, and maintained over their service life, with an emphasis on technologies that matter to national defense while also having potential spillover value for commercial aircraft applications.
The technical scope centers on structural integrity topics, specifically calling out areas such as risk and reliability methods, metal fatigue and fracture, and composite damage modeling, while leaving room for related structural integrity work. This includes efforts that help predict when and how materials and structures degrade, how cracks initiate and grow in metallic airframes, how composite structures accumulate damage under complex loading, and how uncertainty is quantified to support better engineering decisions. The underlying goal is to strengthen the technical foundations needed for next-generation air, space, and cyberspace warfighting capabilities by improving confidence in structural performance, reducing unexpected failures, and enabling more efficient life-cycle management.
From an administrative standpoint, SIRCA is a discretionary federal opportunity administered by the Air Force Research Laboratory under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial involvement by the government partner during the period of performance, such as technical coordination, shared planning, or collaboration on research direction. The opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number FA8650-19-S-2002 and CFDA number 12.800. Eligibility is unrestricted, meaning there are no narrow applicant-type limitations stated in the notice; universities, companies, nonprofits, and other capable organizations may propose, including teams and partnerships consistent with the collaboration goals.
Key dates and parameters included in the listing show an original closing date of 2023-10-23 and a creation date of 2018-10-22. The public summary does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided fields, suggesting those details may be defined elsewhere in the full solicitation or vary by research topic, budget, and AFRL needs. Overall, SIRCA can be understood as a collaborative R and D mechanism for advancing aircraft structural integrity methods and models, especially in fatigue, fracture, composites, and reliability, to support both defense and potential commercial derivative applications.Apply for FA8650 19 S 2002
- The Air Force -- Research Lab in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Structural Integrity Research Collaborations for Aircraft (SIRCA)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.800.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-10-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-10-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Structural Integrity Research Collaborations for Aircraft (SIRCA) - FAQs
What is the SIRCA funding opportunity?
Structural Integrity Research Collaborations for Aircraft (SIRCA) is a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) funding opportunity intended to build and sustain collaborative research partnerships focused on aircraft structural integrity. It supports research efforts that improve how aircraft structures are analyzed, predicted, designed, and maintained across their service life.
What is the main goal of SIRCA?
The goal is to advance science and technology that directly affects the safety, durability, and mission readiness of aircraft. SIRCA emphasizes strengthening technical foundations that improve confidence in structural performance, reduce unexpected failures, and enable more efficient life-cycle management for defense-relevant aircraft, with potential spillover benefits for commercial aircraft applications.
Who runs and administers SIRCA?
SIRCA is administered by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as a discretionary federal opportunity.
What type of funding instrument does SIRCA use?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This typically means there is substantial government involvement during the project period, such as technical coordination, shared planning, and active collaboration on research direction.
What research areas does SIRCA focus on?
The technical scope centers on aircraft structural integrity. Specific areas called out include risk and reliability methods, metal fatigue and fracture, and composite damage modeling, while also leaving room for related structural integrity research aligned with program goals.
Does SIRCA support work on predicting degradation and structural life?
Yes. SIRCA supports efforts that improve prediction of when and how materials and structures degrade over time, including how uncertainty is quantified to support better engineering decisions across the service life of aircraft structures.
Is metal fatigue and fracture included in the scope?
Yes. The scope explicitly includes metal fatigue and fracture, including work relevant to understanding how cracks initiate and grow in metallic airframes.
Are composites and composite damage modeling included in the scope?
Yes. The scope explicitly includes composite damage modeling, including research on how composite structures accumulate damage under complex loading.
Does SIRCA include risk, reliability, and uncertainty methods?
Yes. Risk and reliability methods are specifically mentioned, including approaches that quantify uncertainty to improve decision-making about structural performance and maintenance.
Is the program intended to be collaborative?
Yes. SIRCA is designed to bring together AFRL, academic researchers, and industry teams to work jointly on structural integrity challenges.
What kinds of applicants are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted in the provided information. This indicates there are no narrow applicant-type limitations stated in the notice, and that universities, companies, nonprofits, and other capable organizations may propose, including teams and partnerships consistent with the collaboration goals.
Is the opportunity focused only on defense, or can it benefit commercial aviation too?
The opportunity emphasizes technologies that matter to national defense, while noting potential spillover value for commercial aircraft applications.
What activity category is SIRCA listed under?
It is listed under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for SIRCA?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FA8650-19-S-2002.
What is the CFDA number associated with SIRCA?
The CFDA number is 12.800.
What are the key dates shown for this opportunity?
The listing shows a creation date of 2018-10-22 and an original closing date of 2023-10-23.
Is the award ceiling (maximum funding) provided in the public summary?
No. The public summary information provided does not specify an award ceiling in the listed fields, which suggests the maximum funding details may be defined elsewhere in the full solicitation or may vary based on topic, budget, and AFRL needs.
Is the expected number of awards provided in the public summary?
No. The public summary information provided does not list an expected number of awards in the provided fields, which suggests this may be addressed in the full solicitation or may vary depending on AFRL needs and the mix of proposed research efforts.
What kinds of outcomes is SIRCA trying to enable?
Based on the provided description, SIRCA aims to improve confidence in structural performance, reduce unexpected failures, and enable more effective and efficient life-cycle management of aircraft structures through improved methods and models in fatigue, fracture, composites, and reliability.
Is SIRCA limited to only the named topic areas?
The scope explicitly calls out several core structural integrity areas (risk and reliability methods, metal fatigue and fracture, composite damage modeling) while also leaving room for related structural integrity work, as long as it aligns with the program focus on aircraft structural integrity.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: End-of-Life and Palliative Care Approaches to Advanced Signs and Symptoms (R21- Clinical Trial Optional)
Previous opportunity: NIH Blueprint Program for Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Education Experiences (R25)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for FA8650 19 S 2002
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FA8650 19 S 2002) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY2019 Office of Naval Research Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program Apply for N00014 19 S F004 Funding Number: N00014 19 S F004 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY19 Office of Naval Research (ONR) Navy and Marine Corps Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), Education and Workforce Program Apply for N00014 19 S F003 Funding Number: N00014 19 S F003 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Urban Health Research Program Apply for GH BAA 2018 URBAN HEALTH ADDENDUM Funding Number: GH BAA 2018 URBAN HEALTH ADDENDUM Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Sources Sought Notice for USAID’s Science & Technology Policy Fellowship program (STPF) 2019 Apply for 7200AA19R00011 Funding Number: 7200AA19R00011 Agency: USAID Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Long Range BAA Apply for N00014 19 S B001 Funding Number: N00014 19 S B001 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Afghan Civil Society and Media Self Reliance Apply for BAA AFG CSM 2019 Funding Number: BAA AFG CSM 2019 Agency: Afghanistan USAID-Kabul Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Early Career Research Program Apply for DE FOA 0002019 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002019 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| New Bioimaging Approaches for Bioenergy Apply for DE FOA 0002041 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002041 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| USAID/Zambia Solar Technologies Training Apply for 72061119 STT Funding Number: 72061119 STT Agency: Zambia USAID-Lusaka Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $280,000 |
| DRAFT-Adaptive Signature Discovery University Research Alliance (ASD-URA) Apply for DRAFT HDTRA1 19 S 0002 ASD URA Funding Number: DRAFT HDTRA1 19 S 0002 ASD URA Agency: Defense Threat Reduction Agency Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DRAFT-Interaction of Ionizing Radiation with Matter University Research Alliance (IIRM-URA) Apply for DRAFT HDTRA1 19 S 0004 IIRM URA Funding Number: DRAFT HDTRA1 19 S 0004 IIRM URA Agency: Defense Threat Reduction Agency Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DRAFT-Materials Science in Extreme Environments University Research Alliance (MSEE-URA) Apply for DRAFT HDTRA1 19 S 0003 MSEE URA Funding Number: DRAFT HDTRA1 19 S 0003 MSEE URA Agency: Defense Threat Reduction Agency Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Broad Agency Announcement for Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa Apply for BAA AFR SD 2019 Funding Number: BAA AFR SD 2019 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year 2020 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) Apply for FOA AFRL AFOSR 2019 0001 Funding Number: FOA AFRL AFOSR 2019 0001 Agency: Air Force Office of Scientific Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| ONR, on behalf of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, for the Manufacturing Engineering Education Program Apply for N00014 19 S F006 Funding Number: N00014 19 S F006 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) Apply for N00014 19 S F005 Funding Number: N00014 19 S F005 Agency: Office of Naval Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY19 Wireless Digital Train Line (WiDTL) for Passenger Trains - Phase II Apply for FR RRD 19 001 Funding Number: FR RRD 19 001 Agency: DOT - Federal Railroad Administration Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Post-Doctoral Fellowships at NAWCWD, China Lake, CA Apply for N6893619R0020 Funding Number: N6893619R0020 Agency: NAVAIR Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (FY20 Air Force Submission) Apply for FOA AFRL AFOSR 2019 0002 Funding Number: FOA AFRL AFOSR 2019 0002 Agency: Air Force Office of Scientific Research Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $7,500,000 |
| Multi-Scale Program in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland to Assess Change in the Acid-Base Chemistry of Mountain Streams Apply for NPS 19 NERO 0004 Funding Number: NPS 19 NERO 0004 Agency: National Park Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $195,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FA8650 19 S 2002", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.