Accelerating Change Through Research and Innovation

The U.S Air Force Academy is an unparalleled academic, military, and athletic institution. At the heart of the Academy’s innovative spirit is our research enterprise. Our undergraduate research program is among the Nation’s best and executes roughly $40 million dollars of annual funding, the most of any undergraduate institution. Our cadets and faculty are repeatedly recognized with national awards, patents, and publications. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for innovation, with cadets and faculty contributing to leading-edge research supporting our national defense. Beyond solving problems, research plays a vital role in developing innovative officers with intellectual curiosity and habits of thought that will revolutionize our Air and Space Forces

Research at the Academy is supported by 24 robust research centers working across various disciplines. Some of our core research facilities and equipment include a state-of-the-art battle lab conducting realistic wargaming scenarios, our Observatory’s 1-meter advanced telescope supporting a globally operational network, a modern performance science center that optimizes warfighter physical and cognitive abilities, and a self-driving Tesla Model X used by the Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center to advance human-machine teaming technology.

Leveraging the Academy’s extensive network of research partners, the Cadet Summer Research Program annually sends over 350 cadets throughout the United States and around the world to explore research projects. Through this program, our cadets tackle complex research issues to improve our world. From breakthroughs in quantum computing to supporting homeless veteran initiatives and innovating wheelchair technology for the physically challenged, our cadets help solve real-world issues.