DRAFT-Adaptive Signature Discovery University Research Alliance (ASD-URA) | DRAFT HDTRA1 19 S 0002 ASD URA

Opportunity Information: Apply for DRAFT HDTRA1 19 S 0002 ASD URA

The DRAFT-Adaptive Signature Discovery University Research Alliance (ASD-URA) opportunity is a Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) notice describing an upcoming, but not yet open, funding solicitation. It is explicitly labeled as a draft Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), meaning applications are not being accepted at this time and a final version is expected to be released later. The draft was posted to grants.gov on February 6, 2019, under Funding Opportunity Number DRAFT HDTRA1-19-S-0002 ASD URA, and it sits within DTRA's basic research portfolio as the agency transitions its basic research investments toward a University Research Alliance (URA) model.

In practical terms, the main purpose of this draft posting is to communicate how DTRA plans to engage the university community before the final solicitation is published. DTRA scheduled a "University Day" for Friday, March 22, 2019, in Lorton, Virginia, to share details about the shift to the Alliance model and to collect questions and feedback from researchers and research administrators. The event is also framed as a networking opportunity, and it covers not only the ASD-URA draft (HDTRA1-19-S-0002) but also two other draft BAAs (HDTRA1-19-S-0003 and HDTRA1-19-S-0004), allowing attendees to interact across multiple research areas and program lines.

Attendance is offered in two modes: in-person and virtual. DTRA indicates a preference for in-person participation but provides a virtual option for those who cannot travel. Registration is mandatory for both formats. For in-person attendance, DTRA notes that capacity may be capped based on space constraints and that selection may consider factors such as diversity of universities represented and coverage across BAAs and research areas. A key logistical constraint is that in-person attendance is limited to "U.S. Persons" due to facility security and timelines, with "U.S. Person" defined as a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. This restriction does not apply to virtual attendance and is stated not to affect eligibility to participate in the eventual BAAs themselves.

To register, interested participants were instructed to email DTRA-URA-Program@mail.mil by February 15, 2019 with specific details: name, institutional affiliation (including school or department), email address, whether they permit DTRA to share their contact information with other registrants for networking, which BAA and research/focus areas they are interested in, their preference for in-person versus web-based participation, and confirmation of U.S. Person status (citizenship or permanent residency). Permanent residents were asked to provide a scan of their green card (front and back) showing the USCIS number, submitted as a password-protected attachment with the password sent separately. DTRA planned to confirm registration around February 21, 2019 and then provide either a logistics package (for in-person participants) or connection instructions (for virtual participants).

The draft also outlines how DTRA intends to support interaction and transparency around the event. DTRA personnel, including program leadership, program managers, and the Grants Officer, were expected to provide short briefings and be available to answer both technical and administrative questions. Breakout sessions led by program managers were planned for each of the three draft BAAs, which suggests DTRA anticipated detailed discussions about the research direction, alliance structure, and administrative mechanics. In addition, DTRA stated it would document the University Day as much as possible and post materials such as briefings, questions, and answers alongside the final BAAs to help the broader community, including those unable to attend.

The opportunity also includes an explicit outreach emphasis: participation by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) is encouraged. DTRA offered the possibility of booth space for HBCUs and MIs on a request basis, subject to limited availability, and asked interested institutions to contact the same program email as soon as possible to coordinate.

Several administrative reminders are embedded in the notice. Questions could be emailed in advance to DTRA-URA-Program@mail.mil no later than March 1, 2019, with responses potentially provided during the University Day at DTRA's discretion. Current DTRA basic research awardees were warned that existing DTRA travel funds could not be used to attend the University Day. The draft also points readers to the BAA's eligibility section for complete requirements; however, the grants.gov listing indicates "Eligible Applicants: Unrestricted," implying broad eligibility in principle, subject to final BAA terms.

From the grants.gov metadata, the opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, with an anticipated funding instrument of a cooperative agreement. The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, under CFDA 12.351. The listing shows an award ceiling of 0 and no expected awards, which is consistent with it being a draft solicitation rather than an active competition with defined award parameters. The "OriginalClosingDate" is shown as March 22, 2019, which aligns with the date of the University Day rather than an application deadline, reinforcing that the key action during this draft phase is engagement and feedback rather than proposal submission.

• The Defense Threat Reduction Agency in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DRAFT-Adaptive Signature Discovery University Research Alliance (ASD-URA)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.351.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2019-02-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-03-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for DRAFT HDTRA1 19 S 0002 ASD URA

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