Technology Applications

University Research Program

Advanced Technology's Innovations directorate executes and provides technical oversight for a university research effort for undergraduate and graduate research at domestic universities and universities within U.S. territories: Missile Defense Agency Science and Technology Advanced Research (MSTAR) .

The research sought by the MDA from colleges and universities is used for advancing and solving complex technological problems, ultimately contributing to enhancing a more robust Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). Several BMDS research areas interest the MDA and may provide direction for MSTAR proposal submissions:

  • Radar Systems
  • Lasers and Electro-Optical Systems
  • Integrated Infra Red Sensor Systems
  • Computer Science, Signal and Data Processing
  • Mathematics, Probability and Decision Theory
  • Physics, Chemistry and Materials
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Battle Management/Command and Control
  • Modeling and Simulation
  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Outreach: Proposals for this area must address development, implementation and execution of programs and activities in support of MDA's STEM Outreach.

Additional details and application and award guidelines, such as personnel requirements, may be found within each Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) posted at www.mdatechnology.net.

Colleges and universities seeking additional funding and research opportunities may also wish to visit the following links:

Missile Defense Agency Science and Technology Advanced Research (MSTAR)

Each domestic university (continental U.S. and U.S. territories) may submit a proposal for research funding in response to a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). These announcements are generally posted once per year and may be found at one or more www.mdatechnology.net or www.fedbizopps.gov. An MSTAR is awarded for a three year time frame at $200,000 maximum per year.