By Outrider Editorial Team · Updated August 20, 2026
PSC AJ11 is basic research under the general science and technology budget function, the civilian science category that covers the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy's Office of Science. Unlike the defense R&D codes, AJ11 funds inquiry with no requirement to point at an application. FY2025 obligations were $839 million.
Social science inside a physical science code
Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences R&D (541715) took $660 million. Second is 541720, Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities, at $53 million, which reflects federal support for behavioural, economic, and social research alongside the physical sciences. Then 541712 at $25 million, 541618, Other Management Consulting Services, at $20 million, and 541511 at $13 million.
PSC and NAICS in a sentence
The PSC tracks the budget function and the research stage funded. The NAICS code tracks the industry of the organization performing it.
For a research organization, the distinction between AJ11 and AJ12 matters before you bid. Basic research must be undertaken to acquire new knowledge of underlying phenomena, and the manual explicitly rules out work directed toward a specific application or requirement. Applied research at AJ12, which is larger, is where a defined objective belongs. The proposal language you use should match the stage the solicitation is coded to.
NAICS crosswalk
Where FY2025 AJ11 dollars landed, by the winning vendor's registered NAICS code.
- 541712Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)$25.4M
- 541618Other Management Consulting Services$20.0M
- 541511Custom Computer Programming Services$13.1M
FY2025 federal contract obligations, USAspending.gov
Frequently Asked
PSC AJ11 questions, answered.
What does PSC AJ11 cover?
Basic research funded under the general science and technology budget function: experimental or theoretical work to acquire new knowledge of underlying phenomena, without direction toward a specific application.
What NAICS codes win AJ11 work?
Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences R&D (541715) took $660 million of $839 million in FY2025, with Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720) second at $53 million.
Which agencies fund AJ11 work?
The general science and technology budget function covers civilian basic science, so the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy Office of Science are the natural buyers. Always confirm by awarding agency before assuming.
How do I choose between AJ11 and AJ12?
AJ11 is basic research with no specific application in view. AJ12 is applied research directed at a practical aim. The solicitation's PSC tells you which framing the sponsor expects in your proposal.
Watch AJ11 opportunities
Solicitations are filed by PSC as well as NAICS. Outrider matches your company profile against both so nothing filed under a code you do not watch slips past.
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