AFOSR Promotes Continued Interest in Air Force and DoD Research Opportunities

  • Published
  • By Molly Lachance
  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
ARLINGTON, Va. --  As an avid supporter of basic research and a vital component of the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) makes a concerted effort to capitalize on opportunities to promote their mission and the benefits of Department of Defense research opportunities to wider and wider audiences, especially in the academic community.

Last month, two representatives from AFOSR attended the University of Houston's Third Annual Department of Defense Research Conference. There they provided valuable information on Air Force research and career opportunities to approximately 100 faculty, students and ROTC cadets from UH and surrounding universities.

"A large part of our recruiting and retention program is dependent on the quality of our guest speakers at major events" explained Col. Philip Bossert, the commander of AFROTC Detachment 003 and a professor of Air Force science. "We have heard nothing but glowing praise for the AFOSR presentation," he added.

AFOSR representatives, Amber McCants and Lauren Bickel led a general session and a breakout session about the opportunities and outreach programs available at AFOSR, with an emphasis on those offered through the AFOSR External Programs directorate.

"The breakout session was very beneficial because it generated more direct and in-depth discussion on specific programs," said McCants. Some of those programs included the Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Experiences (ASSURE), the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship and the Young Investigator Program.

The discussions also included information about the AFOSR Small Business Technology Transfer Program, a program administered by McCants. "I really enjoyed explaining this important basic research vehicle to the academic community face-to-face," she said.

"The UH-DoD Research Conference is a great opportunity to provide information about our programs to current and future researchers," Bickel said. She stated that many current students were very interested in the AFOSR educational programs.

"At both sessions, both students and faculty had plenty of questions and expressed a genuine interest in knowing more about AFOSR and how to get involved in DoD research opportunities," added Ms. McCants. "We have already been contacted since the conference and asked to provide additional information regarding programs here."