UNITED STATES ARMY RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR THE BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (ARI) BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR BASIC, APPLIED, AND ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: STAGE 1 – ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION OVERVIEW (2026)

Who Is Eligible?

• All responsible sources from academia, industry, and non-profit organizations.
• Universities, colleges, and research institutions (both domestic and foreign).
• Small businesses and large corporations.
• Individual researchers and principal investigators with the requisite capabilities.
• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), as permitted by their sponsoring agreements.
• U.S. Government laboratories and agencies may respond, but may not be eligible for all award types.
• Teams or consortia formed from any combination of the above entities.
• Foreign entities and individuals are eligible, subject to applicable security, export control, and regulatory considerations.

Application Steps (2026)

STAGE 3: Full Proposal Development and Submission

Offerors invited to submit a Full Proposal will receive detailed guidance from the ARI Contracting Office. The following steps outline the general process for this stage.

1. Full Proposal Invitation and Review of Requirements
   • Formally acknowledge the invitation from the ARI Contracting Office.
   • Carefully review the Full Proposal Preparation Instructions (FPPI) and all referenced documents (e.g., specific Statement of Work, evaluation criteria).
   • Confirm submission deadline, format, and method (e.g., electronic submission portal).
2. Full Proposal Preparation
   • Develop a comprehensive technical volume that expands upon the White Paper, including detailed methodology, project plan, timeline, and deliverables.
   • Prepare all required administrative volumes, which typically include:
     • Cover Sheet (SF 33 or equivalent)
     • Abstract/Executive Summary
     • Table of Contents
     • Cost Volume (with detailed budget justification using applicable rates)
     • Biographical sketches of key personnel (using approved format)
     • Facilities and equipment documentation
     • References/Bibliography
     • Subcontractor/Consultant agreements (if applicable)
     • Other Support documentation
     • Data Management Plan (if required)
     • Human Subjects/IRB or Animal Use/IACUC documentation (if applicable, approvals may be pending at time of submission)
   • Ensure compliance with all page limits, formatting, and section requirements specified in the FPPI.
3. Internal Review and Compliance Check
   • Conduct an internal technical and cost review of the complete proposal package.
   • Verify that all representations, certifications, and administrative forms are current and correctly completed.
   • Obtain necessary institutional approvals (e.g., from sponsored research office).
4. Final Proposal Submission
   • Submit the complete Full Proposal package through the designated system (e.g., PIEE, Grants.gov) by the specified deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.
   • Obtain and retain proof of submission (e.g., timestamp, confirmation number).
   • Notify the ARI points of contact listed in your invitation of the submission.
5. Post-Submission: Evaluation and Award Process
   • Proposals undergo a formal scientific/technical review and cost analysis by ARI and/or external evaluators.
   • The Government may request clarifications or negotiate terms, scope, or budget.
   • Final selection is based on the evaluation criteria stated in the BAA and FPPI. ARI aims to make awards within the fiscal year, subject to funding availability.
   • Offerors will be notified of the final decision (selection or non-selection) by the ARI Contracting Office.

Note: All requirements are detailed in the official Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) and subsequent amendments. This document is for informational purposes only. The official BAA and any issued Full Proposal instructions govern the application process.