FY26 NOFO-HBCU MI N0001425SF005_Amendment-0003.pdf

ONR Announcement N0001425SF005

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO)

Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of the Navy (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program

Deadlines

White Paper Inquiries and Questions 29 August 2025 (Friday)

White Papers must be received no later than

19 September 2025 (Friday) at 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Application Inquiries and Questions 05 December 2025 (Friday)

Applications must be received no later than

12 December 2025 (Friday) at 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Amendment 0003 Correction to the white paper submission date in the Key Dates table on page 7.

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Contents Overview of the Research Opportunity

A. Basic Information

1. Federal Agency Name

2. Funding Opportunity Title

3. Announcement Type

4. Funding Opportunity Number

5. Assistance Listing Number

6. Funding Details

Funded Amount and Period of Performance

7. Key Dates

8. Executive Summary

9. Agency Contact Information

B. Eligibility

1. Eligibility for Competition

2. Eligible Applicants

3. Funding Restrictions

4. Contracted Fundamental Research

5. Cost Sharing or Matching

C. Program Description

1. Instrument Type

2. Model Grants

D. Application Content and Format

1. Applications Contents and Format

a. General Information

b. White Papers

c. Full Proposals

E. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

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3. Submission Instructions

a. White Paper Submission Instructions

b. Full Proposal Submission Instructions

c. Applicant Support

4. Submission Dates and Times

a. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

b. Proposal Receipt Notice

F. Application Review Information

1. Responsiveness Reviews

2. Review Criteria

3. Review and Selection Process

a. Evaluation

b. Options

c. Evaluation Panel

4. Risk Review

G. Award Notices

1. Email

2. Electronic Document Access (EDA)

H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Export Control

b. Requirements Concerning Live Organisms

c. Biosafety and Biosecurity Requirements

d. Research Involving Recombinant (rDNA) or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules

e. Institutional Dual Use Research of Concern

f. Department of Defense High Performance Computing Modernization Program:

g. Project Review Meetings and Program Review Meetings

h. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006

i. Financial Assistance Certification:

j. Certifications Regarding Restrictions on Lobbying

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k. Certifications Regarding the Prohibition on Using Funds with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements (Grant Information Circular (GIC) 19-02 November 2019) (Supplement to SF424 (R&R), block 17, Financial Assistance Certifications and Representations) ... 44

l. Certification Regarding Disclosure of Funding Sources (Supplement to SF424, block 17, Financial Assistance Certifications and Representations

m. Conflict of Interest

n. Code of Conduct

o. Peer Review

p. Requirements for Operation and Procurement of Commercial Of the Shelf Unmanned Aircraft Systems

q. Research Integrity

2. Reporting

a. Reporting Procedures

b. Reporting Frequency

c. Definitions

d. Post Award Reporting Requirements

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Overview of the Research Opportunity

This publication constitutes a Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement (NOFO) as contemplated in the Department of Defense Grants and Agreements regulations (DoDGARS) 32 CFR 22.315(a). The ONR reserves the right to fund all, some, or none of the proposals received under this NOFO. ONR provides no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs. Technical and budget proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this NOFO will not be returned. It is the policy of ONR to treat all white papers and proposals submitted under this NOFO as sensitive competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation.

Hyperlinks have been embedded within this document and appear as underlined, blue-colored words. The reader may “jump” to the linked section by clicking the hyperlink.

Feedback: ONR is seeking feedback on the pre and post-award process in order to improve communication and the overall process, please provide your feedback to the questionnaires below, as appropriate.

Feedback on the pre-award process for an assistance award: https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/KDHbVQmme7

Feedback on the post-award process for an assistance award: https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/yq3ZA1ziYQ https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/KDHbVQmme7 https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/yq3ZA1ziYQ

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A. Basic Information

1. Federal Agency Name

Office of Naval Research One Liberty Center 875 N. Randolph Street Arlington, VA 22203-1995

2. Funding Opportunity Title

Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of the Navy (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program

3. Announcement Type

Amendment 0003

4. Funding Opportunity Number

N0001425SF005

5. Assistance Listing Number

12.300 Title: Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Research, Basic and Applied Research

6. Funding Details

Funded Amount and Period of Performance

Under this NOFO, ONR intends to award;

o Total Amount of Funding Available: $1,575,000 o Anticipated Number of Awards: 3 o Anticipated Range of Individual Award Amounts: $450,000 - $525,000 o Previous Year(s) Average Individual Award Amounts: $525,000 o Anticipated Period of Performance: 3 years

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7. Key Dates

Anticipated Schedule of Events * Event Date

(MM/DD/YEAR)

Time (Local Eastern Time)

Questions Regarding Eligibility and Technical Requirements **

08/29/2025 (Friday)

White Papers Due 9/19/2025 (Friday) 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Notifications of Initial Navy Evaluations of White Papers*

11/07/2025 (Friday)

Questions for Grants Officer Regarding Proposal Submission**

12/05/2025 (Friday)

Invited Proposals Due 12/12/2025 (Friday) 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Notification of Selection for Award * 03/27/2026 (Friday)

Start Date of Grant* 07/01/2026 (Wednesday)

*These dates are estimates as of the date of this announcement.

**Questions submitted after the Q&A deadline may not be answered.

IMPORTANT NOTE: White Papers are MANDATORY. Proposal submission is by invitation only.

8. Executive Summary

The Department of Navy's (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) program is designed to increase the participation of HBCU/MIs in the Navy's research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) programs and activities. As part of its mission, the program strengthens the capabilities of the institutions to conduct basic and applied research, and increases the quality and quantity of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs.

Key programmatic objectives of the DoN HBCU/MI Program are achieved through the implementation and performance of three program goals:

• enhancing the research and educational capabilities of HBCU/MIs in scientific and engineering disciplines critical to the defense mission of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps,

• encouraging cross-institutional, collaborative efforts that explore innovative solutions to naval science and technology (S&T) challenges, and

• increasing the engagement of students in STEM fields important to the U.S. Navy and U.S.

Marine Corps.

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This particular NOFO aims to enhance the research capacity and research infrastructure for HBCU/MIs.

Competitive white papers and invited full proposals submitted to this FOA must clearly and succinctly describe efforts that advance basic naval-relevant S&T, engage faculty and students in STEM discovery, and expand the research capacity of participant institutions. This announcement is only for research efforts that also promote student/faculty engagement, and expand the institution’s research capacity. This announcement is not intended for projects that focus on non-research STEM activities.

The technical content of any proposed effort must contribute to the S&T mission and vision of the DoN.

9. Agency Contact Information

All UNCLASSIFIED communications shall be submitted via e-mail to the Technical Point of Contract (POC) with a copy to the designated Business POC, as designated below.

Comments or questions submitted should be concise and to the point, eliminating any unnecessary verbiage. In addition, the relevant part and paragraph of the Funding Opportunity Announcement NOFO) should be referenced. Questions submitted within 2 weeks prior to a deadline may not be answered, and the due date for submission of the white paper and/or full proposal will not be extended.

• Questions of a technical nature shall be submitted to:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their research ideas with a cognizant Naval Technical Point of Contact (to include a Subject Matter Expert, Program Officer, or Program Manager) in advance of white paper submission. Such discussion should aim to clarify the content and breadth of priority research areas and enhance the match between the Navy’s research needs and the approach/direction of the proposed effort.

Naval Technical Points of Contact should be affiliated with a Navy command, warfare center or lab to include the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR), or U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) as examples. A list of ONR’s Technology and Research Areas can be found at the following link along with contact information for cognizant Technical Points of Contact (TPoCs):

https://www.onr.navy.mil/our-research/onr-technology-and-research

• Questions of a programmatic nature shall be submitted to:

Point of Contact Name: Mr. Anthony C. Smith, Sr.

Point of Contact Occupation Title: Program Director Division Title: DoN HBCU/MI Program Division Code: 34 Warfighter Performance Address: 875 N. Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22203-1995 Email Address: don_hbcufoa@navy.mil mailto:don_hbcufoa@navy.mil

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• Questions regarding Grants proposal submissions shall be submitted to:

Point of Contact Name: Ms. Veronica Lacey Point of Contact Occupation Title: Grants Officer Department: ONR Code 253 Address: 875 N. Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22203-1995 Email Address: veronica.y.lacey.civ@us.navy.mil

B. Eligibility

1. Eligibility for Competition

Proposals for supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards under this NOFO.

2. Eligible Applicants

Disclosures of current and pending support made in this application may render an applicant ineligible for funding. Prior to award and throughout the period of performance, DoD may continue to request updated continuing and pending support information, which will be reviewed and may result in discontinuation of funding.

As provided in 10 U.S.C. §4144, eligibility for this competition is only open to “covered educational institutions,” which are defined as:

A. institutions of higher education eligible for assistance under Title III or V of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.); or B. accredited post-secondary minority institutions.

The Principal Investigator (PI) and all proposed personnel must be U.S. citizens on September 19, 2025 (Friday), the date white papers are due. In addition, the PI must have a full-time tenured, tenure- track, or tenure-track equivalent academic appointment at one of the seven MSI types.

This is a single PI award. No Co-PIs and no sub-awards will be permitted.

Limitations on Number of Applications – There is no limitation on the number of applications an applicant (organization) may submit under the announcement.

mailto:veronica.y.lacey.civ@us.navy.mil

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3. Funding Restrictions Under this FOA, approximately three (3) awards are anticipated. The estimated total value of each award is $525,000, subject to the availability of funds. Each individual award will be up to a maximum of $150,000 per year with additional funding for materials, equipment, and supplies for a maximum of up to three (3) years. As shown in the table below, in the first year, up to $35,000 can be allocated for materials, equipment, and supplies; in year two, up to $25,000 can be allocated for materials, equipment, and supplies; and in year three, up to $15,000 can be allocated for materials, equipment, and supplies.

Option years will be funded incrementally based on applicant performance and adherence to established execution benchmarks. In summary, the limit for the maximum allocation for each year will be $185,000 (for the first year), $175,000 (for the second year), and $165,000 (for the third year). The maximum allocation per year includes all funds awarded to the university, including indirect costs. White papers and full proposals with budgets that exceed $525,000 will be considered non-responsive.

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3

BASE REQUEST $150,000.00 $150,000.00 $150,000.00

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES $35,000.00 $25,000.00 $15,000.00

TOTAL $185,000.00 $175,000.00 $165,000.00

GRANT TOTAL $525,000.00

*Note that this chart is an example of maximum allowable funding per year and category. This does not represent a guarantee of maximum funding.

Projects selected for funding must be completed within the 3-year performance period. Any requests for no-cost extensions (NCEs) must be fully justified and submitted sufficiently no later than 90 days before the end of the period of performance. Automatic NCEs will not be approved. No applications for renewal or supplemental awards will be considered under any circumstance.

Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 (Public Law 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency from obligating or expending loan or grant funds to procure or obtain, extend, or renew a contract to procure or obtain, or enter into a contract (or extend or renew a contract) to procure or obtain the equipment, services, or systems prohibited systems as identified in section 889 of the NDAA for FY 2019.

o In accordance with 2 CFR 200.216 and 200.471, all awards that are issued on or after August 13, 2020, recipients and subrecipients are prohibited from obligating or expending loan or grant funds to:

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(1) Procure or obtain;

(2) Extend or renew a contract to procure or obtain; or

(3) Enter into a contract (or extend or renew a contract) to procure or obtain equipment, services, or systems that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. As described in Public Law 115-232, section 889, covered telecommunications equipment is telecommunications equipment produced by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities).

(i) For the purpose of public safety, security of government facilities, physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure, and other national security purposes, video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced by Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, or Dahua Technology Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate of such entities).

(ii) Telecommunications or video surveillance services provided by such entities or using such equipment.

(iii) Telecommunications or video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by an entity that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of the National Intelligence or the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, reasonably believes to be an entity owned or controlled by, or otherwise connected to, the government of a covered foreign country.

o In implementing the prohibition under Public Law 115-232, section 889, subsection (f), paragraph

(1), heads of executive agencies administering loan, grant, or subsidy programs shall prioritize available funding and technical support to assist affected businesses, institutions and organizations as is reasonably necessary for those affected entities to transition from covered communications equipment and services, to procure replacement equipment and services, and to ensure that communications service to users and customers is sustained.

o See Public Law 115-232, section 889 for additional information.

COVERED FOREIGN COUNTRY means the People’s Republic of China.

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4. Contracted Fundamental Research With regard to any restrictions on the conduct or outcome of work funded under this NOFO, ONR will follow the guidance on and definition of “contracted fundamental research” as provided in the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) Memorandum of 24 May 2010. The memorandum can be found at https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/pgi/docs/2012- D054%20Tab%20D%20OUSD%20(ATL)%20memorandum%20dated%20May%2024%202010.pdf

As defined therein the definition of “contracted fundamental research,” in a DoD contractual context, includes research performed under grants and contracts that are (a) funded by RDT&E Budget Activity 1 (Basic Research), whether performed by universities or industry or (b) funded by Budget Activity 2 (Applied Research) and performed on campus at a university.

Pursuant to DoD policy, research performed under grants and contracts that are (a) funded by Budget Activity 2 (Applied Research) and NOT performed on-campus at a university or (b) funded by Budget Activity 3 (Advanced Technology Development) or Budget Activity 4 (Advanced Component Development and Prototypes) does not meet the definition of “contracted fundamental research.” In conformance with the USD (AT&L) guidance and National Security Decision Directive 189 found at https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/pgi/docs/National_Security_Decision_Directive_189.pdf. ONR will place no restriction on the conduct or reporting of unclassified “contracted fundamental research,” except as otherwise required by statute, regulation or executive order. The research shall not be considered fundamental in those rare and exceptional circumstances where the applied research effort presents a high likelihood of disclosing performance characteristics of military systems or manufacturing technologies that are unique and critical to defense, and where agreement on restrictions have been recorded in the contract or grant. For certain research projects, it may be possible that although the research being performed by the prime contractor is restricted research, a subcontractor may be conducting “contracted fundamental research.” In those cases, it is the prime contractor’s responsibility in the proposal to identify and describe the subcontracted unclassified research and include a statement confirming that the work has been scoped, negotiated, and determined to be fundamental research according to the prime contractor and research performer.

Normally, fundamental research is awarded under grants with universities and under contracts with industry. Non-fundamental research is normally awarded under contracts and may require restrictions during the conduct of the research and DoD pre-publication review of such research results due to subject matter sensitivity. Potential applicants should consult with the appropriate ONR Technical POCs to determine whether the proposed effort would constitute fundamental or non-fundamental research.

5. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is not expected and will not be used as a factor during the merit review of any application hereunder. However, the Government may consider voluntary cost sharing if proposed.

https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/pgi/docs/2012-D054%20Tab%20D%20OUSD%20(ATL)%20memorandum%20dated%20May%2024%202010.pdf https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/pgi/docs/2012-D054%20Tab%20D%20OUSD%20(ATL)%20memorandum%20dated%20May%2024%202010.pdf http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/pgi/docs/National_Security_Decision_Directive_189.pdf

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C. Program Description The Department of Navy (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program aims to:

• enhance the research and educational capabilities of HBCU/MIs in scientific and engineering disciplines critical to the defense mission of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps,

• encourage cross-institutional, collaborative efforts that explore innovative solutions to naval science and technology (S&T) challenges, and

• increase the engagement of students in STEM fields important to the U.S. Navy and U.S.

Marine Corps.

This NOFO is executed under policy and guidance of the DoN HBCU/MI Program and is administered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Competitive white papers and invited full proposals submitted to this NOFO must clearly and succinctly describe efforts that advance basic naval-relevant S&T, engage faculty and students in STEM discovery, and expand the research capacity of participant institutions. This announcement is only for research efforts that also promote student/faculty engagement and expand the institution’s research capacity. This announcement is not intended for projects that focus on non-research STEM activities.

The technical content of any proposed effort must contribute to the S&T mission and vision of the DoN and must align with the Naval Research Development Framework. Key areas of interest are listed in the remainder of this section.

Information, Cyber, and Spectrum Superiority

An increasingly interconnected force with more rapid and effective decision-making is enabled by persistent sensing, advanced data analytics, digital integration, and assured spectrum access. In that regard, this research area spans three strategic areas:

• Assured Command and Control (C2)

• Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW)

• Full Spectrum Cyber technologies

Assured Command and Control (C2): Assured C2 is enabled by persistent sensing, timely intelligence, and decision support tools that will accelerate “data to decisions” timelines. Leveraging machine reasoning and data analytics, an end-to-end approach achieves protected data transport, resilient networking, and assured apps and services that result in trusted information and actions. The need for increased spectral efficiency and diversity, coupled with the information domain, is critical to our naval freedom of maneuver on a global scale.

Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW): EMW efforts include electromagnetic spectrum management technologies and techniques that fluidly combine communications, surveillance

NOFO N0001425SF005 FY26 HBCU MI Program 14 electronic warfare (EW), and electronics to understand and shape the battlespace. Ultra-wide bank systems, which continuously monitor the spectrum, are needed to facilitate optimized use.

Intrinsically secure and resilient computing systems with robust computational and communications architectures will provide the capability to manipulate and interpret rapidly growing amounts of data support of C2, Combat Systems (CS), and Intelligence Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) effects. Assuring secure access to the full spectrum is essential to operate at will or deny adversary access in more complex and dynamic future EMW environments.

Full Spectrum Cyber technologies: Full-spectrum Cyber approaches must be developed to protect our networks, data, information systems, and real-time control systems. Total platform cyber protection is becoming an essential element of Information Warfare. Cyber technologies provide the ability to assess and counter potential threats. Future information systems must provide agile capabilities for achieving and maintaining communications and data integrity in rapidly evolving, dispersed, and disadvantaged environments. Computational architectures need more resilient information infrastructure through assured system design, automated defensive tools for advanced persistent threats, hardening of the hosts, and data assurance.

Applicable Research Interests:

• Advanced RF Electronics and Materials

• Communications and Networking

• Computational Methods for Decision Making

• Data Science and Analytics

• Electronic Warfare

• Sensors and Sensor Processing

• Machine Learning, Reasoning, and Intelligence

• Resource Optimization

• Precision Navigation and Timekeeping

Undersea Battlespace and Maritime Domain Access

Enables maritime domain access for naval forces to operate in contested ocean environments through undersea threat neutralization and maritime battlespace awareness. Assuring access to the global maritime domain begins with the ability to sense and predict ocean environmental properties in support of both tactical and strategic naval operations. Remote sensors (including space), autonomous ocean observation, and prediction/forecasting provide a distinct advantage for commanders who rely on accurate predictions and actionable information.

Distributed and networked surface and underwater sensors provide real-time data and predictions for improving battlespace awareness and decision-making.

Unmanned and autonomous underwater vehicles provide increasing support to core naval missions in antisubmarine warfare (ASW), mine warfare (MIW), explosive ordnance disposal, and naval special warfare.

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The objective is to provide next-generation sensors and autonomous platforms to augment traditional naval vessels. These novel capabilities will allow greater capacity and provide greatly increased warfighting capabilities.

Forecasting for safety of naval operations is also a critical mission that requires ongoing research to account for the changing dynamics in the open-ocean, Arctic, and littorals. Major subjects include:

• understanding and synthesis of ocean-atmosphere-land processes and interactions,

• real-time environmentally adaptive sensors, data processing and systems that can be distributed and operated effectively (without perfect knowledge), and

• Modeling support for the maritime warfare areas such as sensing, tracking, navigation, communications, neutralization and exploitation.

The foundation of maritime access is built upon strong, geophysical models for atmosphere and ocean monitoring/prediction-knowledge of the battlespace is a key warfighting advantage.

Applicable Research Interests:

• Arctic and Global Prediction

• Littoral Geosciences and Optics

• Marine Mammals and Biology

• Marine Meteorology

• Maritime Sensing

• Ocean Acoustics

• Ocean Engineering and Marine Systems

• Physical Oceanography

• Research Facilities

• Space Environment

• Undersea Signal Processing

Mission Capable, Persistent, and Survivable Sea Platforms Concepts, systems, and component technologies that improve the performance and survivability of naval ships/submarines in an increasingly distributed yet interconnected force are critical. New platforms will need to deliver advanced weapons, as well as increased mobility and survivability.

Power and energy for surface ships is a key, enduring investment for the efficiency of legacy platforms, while enabling the power requirements of future electric weapons. High-power electric weapons and sensors have advanced significantly, creating technical requirements for dramatic increases in energy management and pulsed power.

Computational tools that model the platform’s interaction with the anticipated operational environment are essential to the development of integrated designs and protections such as stealth, counter-directed energy weapons, tactical decision aids, electronic warfare, and hard-kill systems.

Undersea dominance remains a priority as the Navy designs and builds the next generation of strategic and tactical submarines. Resurgence by peer adversaries in ultra-quiet submarine technology is closing the gap in undersea warfare.

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Platform mobility and survivability is critical to successful operational strategies calling for more distributed forces. Advancements in materials, acoustics, and intelligent control are required in addition to hydro-, electro-, and computational mechanics. Advancements in countermeasures for ships and submarines are also critical.

Platforms will become more self-sustaining to extend endurance and forward presence while reducing the logistics tail for fuel. Future platforms must have reduced sustainment requirements and be easier to maintain. Efforts are focused on platform interfaces as well as platform efficiency to reduce sustainment needs. Enhanced interface standards and modularity provide flexibility, ease of maintenance, and upgrades.

Finally, affordability permeates all modernization concepts. The development of validated design tools capable of rapidly and accurately analyzing and evaluating novel platforms with advanced system performance characteristics is a high priority.

• Naval Engineering

• Advanced Naval Power Systems

• Advanced Survivable Sea Platforms

• Unmanned Sea Platforms, Autonomy, and Power

• Advanced Naval Materials

• Undersea Weapons, Counter-Weapons, and Energetics

• Sea Platform Environmental Quality

• Corrosion Control

Warfighter Performance

People are the most critical element of military performance. As technology progresses, so must manpower and personnel technologies to enhance recruitment, retention and force structure through advanced selection, development and assessment tools. A healthy force that is both cognitively and physically resilient is essential. As a result, advances in autonomy, human-machine teaming, command and control, training and education, human performance optimization, protective equipment, medicine, neurosciences, and bio-engineered systems are all key naval S&T challenges.

Training and education needs are met through research to modernize and accelerate learning. These technologies create a technical foundation for agile, deployable, compact, affordable, integrated cross-platform, multi-mission training that aligns to point-of-need.

Ongoing naval warfighter health and survivability efforts optimize state-of-the-art health, fitness, performance, life-saving and sustaining technologies. Warfighter effectiveness is enhanced with human systems design and decision support research to provide commanders with environments to inform the allocation of forces to best effect. Warfighter advantage is further achieved through

NOFO N0001425SF005 FY26 HBCU MI Program 17 model-based performance assessment and simulation technologies using live, virtual and constructive elements.

In addition, Sailors and Marines need technologies to help make complex decisions quickly, with limited and/or uncertain information. Rapid assimilation and action on diverse, complex and/or ambiguous information will require new analytical tools. Naval warfare challenges posed by nontraditional adversaries can be addressed by integrating social, political, economic, ethnic and religious factors in training and decision-support systems.

Warfighter effectiveness and efficiency can also be enhanced through bioengineered and biorobotic systems. Bioengineering bridges the science of biology and the art of naval engineering, such as, biomechanics and fluid mechanics of underwater propulsion; artificial muscle-based actuators and their neural control for the advancement of autonomous systems; and, finally, synthetic biology offers the potential to design purpose-specific organisms for environmental sensing, production of needed high-value materials, tissue cell growth, or possibly, information processing in autonomous systems.

• Undersea Medicine

• Biological Sciences

• Biorobotics

• Capable Manpower

• Command Decision Making

• Force Health Protection

• Human-Robot Interaction

• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

• Training and Simulation

Aviation, Force Projection, and Integrated Defense Sea-based aviation, including platform and weapons research, is focused on new or enhanced capabilities to defined against, and/or deter, disable, damage, defeat, or destroy adversaries at extended ranges and speeds. Offsetting technologies must continue to provide naval forces with an edge. In the future battlespace, electric weapons with deep magazines and low cost-per-kill will be required to engage large numbers of threats simultaneously.

Directed-energy systems will be used in layered defense to counter ISR capabilities, defeat or destroy threats, both before and during combat.

Networked weapons will improve the probability to kill and reduce the need for multiple weapons targeting the same platform. Advanced warhead materials will decrease the size of rounds.

Electromagnetic realigns will allow more, smaller, and longer-range rounds.

Future naval fire efforts include targeting, decision support and precision strike by air, surface, undersea, and expeditionary forces.

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Improved aerodynamic control will allow unprecedented maneuverability for unconventional aircraft designs. Advanced aircraft power and propulsion technologies, such as variable-cycle advanced technology, will provide more efficient operation over a wider range of flight conditions. They will also enable technologies for providing the power and thermal management of electric weapons for next-generation aircraft. Advances in structures and materials will allow for reduced life-cycle costs as well as stronger and lighter airframes.

Autonomous systems will reduce operational risk and improve mission performance. For today’s missions, autonomy can improve manning effectiveness and provide options for mission tasks. For future missions, autonomy can provide new persistent, pervasive, and rapid response capabilities to do tasks that would be unaffordable or impractical today.

• Directed Energy (DE) and Counter-DE

• Aerodynamics

• Flight Dynamics and Control

• Propulsion

• Structures and Materials

• Energetic Materials

• Hypersonics

• Autonomy

As an important note, the research areas presented in this section provide insight into key naval S&T challenges of interest but should not be considered an exhaustive list of eligible topics.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their research ideas with a cognizant Naval Technical Point of Contact (to include a Subject Matter Expert, Program Officer, or Program Manager) in advance of white paper submission. Such discussion should aim to clarify the content and breadth of priority research areas and enhance the match between the DoN’s research needs and the approach/direction of the proposed effort.

Naval Technical Points of Contact should be affiliated with a Navy command, warfare center or lab to include the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR), or U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) as examples. A list of ONR’s Technology and Research Areas can be found at the following link along with contact information for cognizant Technical Points of Contact (TPoCs):

1. Instrument Type

The authority for awards is 10 U.S.C. 4001 in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 63. The applicable regulations are 2 CFR 200, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for http://www.onr.navy.mil/our-research/onr-technology-and-research

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Federal Awards,” as implemented by 2 CFR Chapter XI, Subchapter A and DoDGARs at 32 CFR Subchapter C.

a. Grant: A legal instrument that, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6304, is used to enter into a relationship:

• The principal purpose of which is to transfer a thing of value to the recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law or the United States, rather than to acquire property or services for the Federal Government’s direct benefit or use.

• Substantial involvement is not expected between the Federal Government and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by the grant.

• No fee or profit is allowed.

b. Cooperative Agreement: A legal instrument which, consistent with 31 U.S.C 6305, is used to enter into the same kind of relationship as a grant, except:

• Substantial involvement is expected between the Federal Government and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by the cooperative agreement. No fee or profit is allowed. (For information on the substantial involvement ONR expects to have in cooperative agreements, prospective applicants should contact the Technical Point of Contact identified in the research area of interest.)

• The term does not include “cooperative R&D agreement (CRADA)” as defined at 15.U.S.C. 3710a

• No fee or profit is allowed.

• In accordance with 10 U.S.C. §4021(i), as amended, the following information submitted during the solicitation and award process of Cooperative Agreement for performance of basic, applied, or advanced research authorized by section 4001 are exempt from disclosure requirements of 5 U.S.C.

§552, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), for a period of five years from the date the Department receives the information. Offeror’s should mark the following documents with a legend asserting that they are submitted on a confidential basis:

o A proposal, proposal abstract, and supporting documents;

o A business plan submitted on a business proprietary basis;

o Technical information submitted on a controlled basis, as outlined in DoDI 5230.24, Distribution

Statements on Technical Documents.

2. Model Grants

The model grants at the link below are only provided as examples. In the event of any conflict between these examples and current 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance or ONR terms and conditions, current 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance or ONR terms and conditions will govern.

Examples of model grants can be found on the ONR website at the following link:

https://www.onr.navy.mil/work-with-us/how-to-apply/submit-grant-application

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D. Application Content and Format

1. Applications Contents and Format

a. General Information

All submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable law and DoD/DoN regulations. Applicants are expected to appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains any proprietary information.

Titles given to the submissions should be descriptive of the work they cover and not be merely a copy of the title of this announcement.

White papers are a mandatory part of the application process for this NOFO.

b. White Papers

i. Format

• Paper size – 8.5x11-inch

• Margins – 1 inch

• Spacing – single-spaced

• Font – Times New Roman, 12-point

• Page limit – 5 pages, excluding cover page and references

NOTE: The following components are excluded from the 5-page limit:

- Cover page,

- Cited references,

- PI’s curriculum vitae (CV),

ii. Content

White papers shall include the following:

• Summary (0.5 Page Maximum): A one- to two- paragraph summary of the proposed effort. The summary should succinctly describe the research problem and objectives, technical approach, naval relevance, and anticipated outcomes of the research. A brief discussion of how the proposed effort will advance the state of the art should also be included. The summary should not include any proprietary or confidential information and should be suitable for public release.

• Technical Concept (1.5 Page Maximum): A description of the research including the objective, proposed approach, and technology innovation. Discussion of the project idea, technical rationale, and approach should clearly yet succinctly identify the naval S&T challenge(s) addressed, describe the methods that will be applied, and outline key limitations/constraints of the proposed solution. The applicant’s capacities should be discussed as they relate to achieving success in the project and it should be clear how the proposed project will advance the state of the art in the context of related work. As a reminder, cited references will not be included in the 5- page limit of the white paper.

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• Student Engagement Strategy (1.0 Page Maximum): A description of the plan to fully integrate undergraduate students, graduate students, post-docs, or some combination of each in planned research activities. A pool of students should be identified and a detailed discussion of their expected roles and contributions should be provided. This section should explicitly list the number of students who will contribute to the project at each level. Competitive white papers will provide an explicit list of tasks for each student who will contribute to the project.

• Future Naval Relevance (1.0 Page Maximum): A description of potential naval relevance and contributions of the effort toward addressing specific naval S&T challenges. Applicants are strongly encouraged to communicate with a Navy TPoC about the naval relevance of their proposed work prior to white paper submission. Such discussion should aim to clarify the content and breadth of priority research areas and enhance the match between the DoN’s research needs and the approach/direction of the effort. In this section of the white paper, applicants must address whether they have discussed the proposed research effort with a Navy TPoC, provide the individual’s name and contact information, and list the affiliated Navy command, warfare center or lab. For evaluation purposes, failure to provide contact information and discussion results will be evaluated as an indicator that there was no contact with a Navy TPoC. If an applicant tried to engage a Navy TPoC and did not receive a response, that should be explicitly stated in this section. As a reminder, competitive white papers will also include the outcome of discussions;

namely, whether a white paper was encouraged, if the initial approach was modified as a result of the discussion, or some other outcome

• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) (1.0 Page Maximum): An overview of proposed costs.

The ROM should be segmented into categories of salaries and benefits, materials and supplies, travel, costs associated with student participation (i.e., tuition and fees, etc.) and indirect costs. A table that summarizes projected costs per category per year and provides the totals of columns/rows is highly encouraged.

• Curriculum Vitae (2.0 Page Maximum): The white paper must include the abbreviated CV of the Principal Investigator. The CV will not be included in the 5- page limit of the white paper but must not exceed the 2.0 page maximum.

c. Full Proposals

Prospective applicants must complete the mandatory forms in accordance with the instructions provided on the forms and the additional instructions below. Files that are attached to the forms must be in Adobe Portable Document Format (.PDF); cannot contain macros; and cannot be password protected. If an attachment is not PDF, contain macros or is password protected, they will not pass ONR’s automated acceptance check and will need to be resubmitted. Block 2, “Type of Application” on the SF 424 should be marked “New” on the resubmission.

i. Format for Technical Proposal

• Paper size – 8.5 x 11 inch

• Margins – 1 inch

• Spacing – single-spaced

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• Font – Times New Roman, 12-point

• Page Limit – No more than 15 single-sided pages

NOTE: The following components are excluded from the page limit

Cover Page Table of Contents Project Overview Responsibility Data Management Plan Bibliography & Referenced Cited

There are no page limitations for the budget.

ii. Content

NOTE: The electronic file name for all documents submitted under this NOFO must not exceed 68 characters in length, including the file name extension.

Mandatory SF-424 Research and Related (R&R) Family Forms

The mandatory forms are found at https://www.grants.gov/forms

i. SF-424 (R&R)

The SF-424 (R&R) form must be used as the cover page for all proposals. Complete all required fields in accordance with the “pop-up” instructions on the form and the following instructions for specific fields.

Please complete the SF-424 first, as some fields on the SF-424 are used to auto-populate fields on other forms. Guidance can be found at https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/r-r-family The completion of most fields is self-explanatory with the exception of the following special instructions:

• Field 3 - Date Received by State: Leave Blank

• Field 4a - Federal Identifier: For new proposals, enter N00014. If the application is a renewal or expansion of an existing award, enter the ONR award number. Note: There is a space between the code and the first [ and between the , and the First Name. There is no space between the first [ and the last name.

• Field 4b - Agency Routing Number: Enter the three (3) digit Program Office Code and the Program Officer’s name, last name first, in brackets (e.g., 331 [Smith, John]). Note: There is a space between the code and the first [ and between the , and the First Name. There is no space between the first [ and the last name.

Where the Program Office Code only has two digits, add a “0” directly after the Code (e.g., Code 31 would be entered as 310) https://www.grants.gov/forms https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/r-r-family

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Applicants who fail to provide a Program Officer Code identifier may receive a notice that their proposal is rejected.

• Field 4c - Previous Grants.gov Tracking ID: If this submission is for a Changed/Corrected Application, enter the Grants.gov tracking number of the previous proposal submission; otherwise, leave blank.

• Field 5 – Application Information: Email address entered by the grantee on the SF424 application to create the EDA notification profile. ONR recommends that organizations provide a global business address.

• Field 7 - Type of Applicant. Complete as indicated: If the organization is a Minority Institution, select “Other” and under “Other (Specify)” note that the institution is a Minority Institution (MI).

• Field 9 - Name of Federal Agency: List the Office of Naval Research as the reviewing agency. This field is pre-populated in Grants.gov.

• Field 11 – Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project: Include the ONR White Paper Tracking Number provided to the applicant by ONR.

• Field 14 – Project Director/Principal Investigator: Email address entered by the grantee on the SF424 application to create the EDA notification profile

• Field 16 - Is Application Subject to Review by State Executive Order 12372 Process? Choose “No”.

Check “Program is Not Covered by Executive Order 12372.”

• Field 17 – Certification: All awards require some form of certifications of compliance with national policy requirements. By checking “I Agree” on the SF 424 (R&R) block 17 you agree to abide by the following statement: “By signing this application, I certify (1) to the statements contained in the list of certifications and (2) that the statements herein are true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I also provide the required assurances and agree to comply with any resulting terms if I accept an award. I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties. (U.S. code, Title18, Section 1001). In addition, the Financial Assistance General Certifications and Representations must be completed in SAM.gov (https://sam.gov/content/home).

• Field 19 – Authorized Representative: Email address entered by the grantee on the SF424 application to create the EDA notification profile.

ii. PROJECT/ABSTRACT

The project summary/abstract must identify the research problem and objectives, technical approaches, anticipated outcome of the research, if successful, and impact on DoD capabilities. Use only characters https://sam.gov/content/home

NOFO N0001425SF005 FY26 HBCU MI Program 24 available on a standard QWERTY keyboard. Spell out all Greek letters, other non-English letters, and symbols. Graphics are not allowed and there is a one page or 4,000-character including spaces limit whichever is less.

Do not include proprietary or confidential information. The project summary/ abstract must be marked by the applicant as “Approved for Public Release”. Abstracts of all funded research projects will be posted on the public DTIC website: https://discover.dtic.mil/public-access-search/

As an important note: the project summary/abstract is distinct from the Project Overview described below in the next section (Field 7 described in the next section).

iii. RESEARCH AND RELATED OTHER PROJECT INFORMATION

• Fields 1 and 1a – Human Subject Use: Each proposal must address human subject involvement in the research by completing Fields 1 and 1a of the R&R Other Project Information form. For proposals containing activities that include or may include “research involving human subject” as defined in DoDI 3216.02, prior to award, the Applicant must submit the required documentation under “Use of Human Subjects in Research” (Section H).

• Fields 2 and 2a – Vertebrate Animal Use: Each proposal must address animal use protocols by addressing Fields 2 and 2a of the R&R Other Project Information form. If animals are to be utilized in the research effort proposed, the applicant must submit the documents described under “Use of Animals” (Section H).

• Fields 4a through 4d – Environmental Compliance: Address these fields and briefly indicate whether the intended research will result in environmental impacts outside the laboratory, and how the applicant will ensure compliance with environmental statutes and regulations.

Federal agencies making grant or cooperative agreement awards and recipients of such awards must comply with all applicable environmental planning and regulatory compliance requirements. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq.