N00014-23-S-F001_Amendment 0001.pdf

ONR Announcement N00014-23-S-F001

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT (FOA)

FY23 Department of Navy (DON) Science, Technology, Engineering &

Mathematics (STEM), Education and Workforce Program administered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR)

Deadlines

White Paper Inquiries and Questions 07 April 2023 (Friday)

White Papers must be received no later than

14 April 2023 (Friday) at 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Invited Application Inquiries and Questions 25 August 2023 (Friday)

Invited Applications must be received no later than

01 September 2023 (Friday) at 5:00 PM Eastern Time

AMENDMENT 0001: This amendment corrects the funding opportunity number on pages 8 and

10. See highlighted text on referenced pages.

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Contents I. Overview of the Opportunity

A. Overview

1. Federal Awarding Agency Name

2. Funding Opportunity Title

3. Announcement Type

4. Funding Opportunity Number

5. Assistance Listings

6. Key Dates

7. Grants Officer

II. DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

A. Program Description

B. Federal Award Information

1. Eligibility for Competition

2. Funded Amount and Period of Performance

3. Instrument Type

4. Model Grants

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

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

4. Submission Dates and Times

5. Funding Restrictions

6. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Recipient Qualifications

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

FOA N00014-23-S-F001 FY23 DON STEM Education and Workforce Program 3

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

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I. Overview of the Opportunity

This publication constitutes a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) 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 FOA. ONR provides no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs. Technical and budget proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this FOA will not be returned. It is the policy of ONR to treat all white papers and proposals submitted under this FOA as sensitive competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation.

This FOA is for STEM education programs and activities, which is formal or informal education that is primarily focused on physical and natural sciences, technology, engineering, social sciences, and mathematics disciplines, topics, or issues (including environmental science education or stewardship).

STEM education programs and activities that could be supported by this FOA include one or more of the following as the primary objective:

• Develop learners’ knowledge, skill, or interest in STEM.

• Attract students to pursue certifications, licenses, or degrees (two-year degrees through post-doctoral degrees) or careers in STEM fields.

• Provide growth and research opportunities for post-secondary, college and graduate students in

STEM fields, such as working with researchers or conducting research that is primarily intended to further education.

• Improve mentor/educator (K-12 pre-service or in-service, post-secondary, and informal) quality in STEM areas.

• Improve or expand the capacity of institutions to promote or foster STEM fields.

This FOA will not consider applications for research, with the exception of those whose primary purpose is intended to further education (as described in third bullet above) and that are not expected to generate intellectual property. Efforts for research, including those supporting STEM, should be submitted under the current fiscal year Long Range BAA.

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.

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A. Overview

1. Federal Awarding Agency Name

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

2. Funding Opportunity Title

FY23 Department of Navy (DON) Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), Education and Workforce Program administered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR)

3. Announcement Type

Initial Announcement

4. Funding Opportunity Number

N00014-23-S-F001

5. Assistance Listings

12.330 Title: Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) Education, Outreach, and Workforce Program

6. Key Dates

Anticipated Schedule of Events * Event Date

(MM/DD/YEAR)

Time

(Local Eastern Time) Questions Regarding Eligibility and Technical Requirements **

04/07/23 5:00 PM

White Papers Due 04/14/23 5:00 PM

Notification of receipt of white paper by the Naval STEM Coordination Office (NSCO)

04/21/23 5:00 PM

White Paper Submission Inquiry 04/26/23 Notifications of Initial Navy Evaluations of White Papers*

07/21/23 5:00 PM

Questions for Grants Officer Regarding Proposal Submission**

08/25/23 5:00 PM

Invited Proposals Due 09/01/23 5:00 PM Notification of Selection for Award * 12/14/23 Start Date of Grant* 02/15/24

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*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.

7. Grants Officer

The Grants Officer for this announcement is identified in Section G.2.

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II. DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY

A. Program Description

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is interested in receiving a broad range of proposals for augmenting existing and/or developing innovative solutions that directly maintain, and/or cultivate a diverse, world-class Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce to maintain the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ technological superiority. The goal of proposed efforts must provide solutions that establish, build, and/or maintain STEM educational pathways of U.S. citizens directly relevant to the needs of Department of Navy’s (DON) current and future workforce.

As the capacity of the DON Science and Technology (S&T) workforce is interconnected with the STEM education system, DON recognizes the need to support efforts that can jointly improve STEM student outcomes and align educational and outreach efforts with Naval S&T current and future workforce needs.

This announcement explicitly encourages programs that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students of all ages and the naval related workforce. Programs must aim to increase engagement in naval relevant STEM, and enhance the corresponding skills, knowledge, and abilities of participants. ONR encourages applicants to utilize current STEM educational research for informing program design and advancing STEM careers and opportunities of naval relevance.

While this announcement is relevant for any stage of the STEM educational system, funding efforts will be targeted primarily toward projects addressing the below communities or any combination of these communities:

• Secondary education communities;

• Post-Secondary communities;

• Informal science communities; and/or

• Current Naval STEM workforce communities.

Project scope may range in size and complexity. Projects that are already established with prior funding sources or have established stakeholder partnerships are especially encouraged to consider the following scope areas:

• Develop and implement exploratory pilot projects that seek to create new educational experiences within educational and training communities.

• Develop larger cohesive STEM education and training activities that strengthen the capacity of regional communities and stakeholders to improve STEM education and training.

Establish meetings with stakeholders that must seek to connect relevant people and organizations to explicitly develop broader projects for affecting entire communities.

The technical content of any idea must establish naval relevance, such as, but not limited to, the science and technology areas listed here: https://www.nre.navy.mil/our-research/onr-technology-and-research

Applicants should consider the diversity-equity-inclusion (DEI) of proposed programs. We encourage applicants to engage with communities underrepresented in STEM, and work to develop programs that include outreach to and inclusion of participants in those communities. Outreach to underrepresented communities and inclusion of underrepresented individuals will be one of the criteria used to evaluate programs.

Underrepresented groups in STEM may include:

• Military-connected students (see definition below)

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• Low-income students (Free and Reduced-price Meals—FARMS)

• Students belonging to racial and ethnic minorities that are historically underrepresented in STEM

(i.e., Alaska Natives, Native Americans, Blacks or African Americans, Latinx/Hispanics, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders)

• Females in certain STEM fields where they remain underrepresented (e.g., physical sciences, computer science, mathematics, or engineering)

• Students with disabilities (Americans with Disabilities Act)

• Students with English as a second language (English Language Learners)

• First-generation college students

• Students in rural, frontier, or other Federal targeted outreach schools

Military-Connected Students may include:

• Military child – dependents of members of the Active Duty Armed Forces

• Military-connected – military child plus the dependents of members of the National Guard and

Reserves

• Military-affiliated – military-connected plus the dependents of Veterans

• Military-connected schools – schools where a minimum of 10% of the student population is military-connected

• US Military Veterans

Eligible applicants under this FOA are encouraged to form partnerships with Naval STEM Stakeholder Organizations (NSSO) and/or other naval organizations when possible. NSSO carry out localized and community education and outreach efforts (SECNAVINST 3900.45A). NSSOs and/or other naval organizations have the option to collaborate if it is in the best interest of the DON. With regard to white paper submissions: Applicants should identify potential NSSOs and identify how they would go about identifying and arranging partnerships with NSSOs in their submission. Such partnerships shall not include any funding or similar fee to flow through an awardee to an NSSO.

With regard to invited applications: Letters of Interest (LOI) from NSSOs are not required.

For general information on NSSOs and POCs please contact the NSCO at usn.pentagon.cnr-arlington-va.mbx.don-stem-grants@us.navy.mil. The subject line of the email should read “N00014-23-S-F001:

Naval STEM Stakeholder Organization Information Inquiry.” The body of email should include a summary of your proposed project.

Applicants are encouraged to understand the significant reorganization of STEM funding across the Federal government. Applicants seeking to improve general national STEM performance rather than a focus on naval workforce needs, and particularly efforts aimed at the P/K-9 levels, are encouraged to seek funding from one of the designated lead agencies: The Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, or the Smithsonian Institution.

White papers are required and should:

• Align with DONs Mission;

• Have scientific and technical merit;

• Show program viability during and after the period of performance; and

• Plan for addressing the DEI of the program.

Specific application evaluation criteria for this FOA are included in Section II. E. Program overview/white paper information sessions will be held prior to the white paper submission deadline (14 April 2023). Sessions will be open to all eligible applicants and potential partners. Please contact NSCO mailto:usn.pentagon.cnr-arlington-va.mbx.don-stem-grants@us.navy.mil mailto:usn.pentagon.cnr-arlington-va.mbx.don-stem-grants@us.navy.mil

FOA N00014-23-S-F001 FY23 DON STEM Education and Workforce Program 9 usn.pentagon.cnr-arlington-va.mbx.don-stem-grants@us.navy.mil) for dates, times, and registration information.

DON STEM Education and Workforce Topic Chief: Dr. Michael Simpson, ONR Code 311 usn.pentagon.cnr-arlington-va.mbx.don-stem-grants@us.navy.mil

B. Federal Award Information

1. Eligibility for Competition

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

2. Funded Amount and Period of Performance

Under this FOA, ONR intends to award up to 8 grants with a maximum of $200,000 per year for up to 3 years. Each year will be funded incrementally based on applicant performance and adherence to established benchmarks. Each individual award will be up to $600,000 over 3 years. Applications for larger amounts must contact the NSCO prior to white paper submission.

Sufficient and relevant information to aid potential applicants to decide whether or not to submit a proposal inclusive of:

o Anticipated Number of Awards: 8 o Anticipated Range of Individual Award Amounts: Maximum $200,000 per year for no more than

3 years o Previous Year(s) Average Individual Award Amounts: $600,000 for 3 years o Anticipated Period of Performance: 3 years

3. Instrument Type

Any assistance instrument awarded under this announcement will be governed by the award terms and conditions that conform to DoD’s implementation of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance applicable to financial assistance. The DoD Terms and Conditions and the ONR Addendum and ONR Programmatic Requirements are located at https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions.

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.

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:

mailto:usn.pentagon.cnr-arlington-va.mbx.don-stem-grants@us.navy.mil https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions

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• 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 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.

4. 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 clauses, current 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance or ONR clauses will govern.

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

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

C. Eligibility Information

1. 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.

All responsible sources from academia, non-profit organizations, and industry (for-profit) organizations may submit white papers under this FOA. Foreign entities will not be considered.

Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy National Laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this FOA. However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal applicants are allowed so long as they are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC.

Navy laboratories, military universities, and warfare centers as well as other DoD and civilian agency laboratories are also not eligible to receive awards under this FOA, and must not submit either white papers or applications in response to this FOA. However, if any such organization is interested in a partnership with a proposed project from an eligible institution, the organization may contact the Naval STEM Coordination Office (NSCO), usn.pentagon.cnr-arlington-va.mbx.don-stem-grants@us.navy.mil, to discuss potential projects. The subject line of the email shall read “N00014-23-S-F001 Potential Project Inquiry.” As with FFRDCs, these types of Federal organizations may team with eligible applicants that are submitting under this FOA.

University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) are eligible to submit white papers under this FOA, unless precluded from doing so by their DoD UARC contract.

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

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2. 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.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

This FOA may be accessed from the sites below. Amendments, if any, to this FOA will be posted to these websites when they occur. Interested parties are encouraged to periodically check these websites for updates and amendments.

• Grants.gov (www.grants.gov)

• ONR website (https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/funding-opportunities)

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

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.

This FOA competition is implemented in two stages:

First – Prospective awardees MUST begin by submitting a white paper using FedConnect; and

Second – Based on assessment of the white paper, applicants will either be invited or not invited to submit a grant applications. Proposals submitted without an invitation will not be reviewed and subsequently will be rejected.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS:

The Government seeks only applications that are relevant and responsive to the Funding Opportunity Description in Section II. A. White papers that fail to address the areas listed in the Funding Opportunity Description will be rejected and not considered further.

White papers must be received via FedConnect by 14 April 2023, 11:59 pm Eastern Time. In order to ensure timely receipt and evaluation of white paper submissions, NSCO will send a notification via usn.pentagon.cnr-arlington-va.mbx.don-stem-grants@us.navy.mil to the listed Principal Investigator and business contact no later than 21 April 2023. Submitters should contact NSCO no later than 26 April 2023 to submit an inquiry if receipt from NSCO was not received. Failure to submit an inquiry by the date listed will result in the white paper not being evaluated. Note: The notification from NSCO is separate from the notification that will be received from FedConnect.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring correct submission of white papers to FedConnect.

http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/funding-opportunities

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b) White Papers

White papers are MANDATORY under this FOA. Any proposal submitted to grants.gov without invitation will not be considered for funding.

i. Format

• Paper size – 8.5x11-inch

• Margins – 1 inch

• Spacing – single-spaced

• Font – Times New Roman, 12-point

• Page limit –4 pages, excluding cover page and references

ii. Content

White papers shall include the following:

• Cover Page (MANDATORY): The Cover Page can be found at https://www.nre.navy.mil/media/document/onr-baa-cover-page for grant submissions. FedConnect will not accept a white paper unless the Cover Sheet is included. The Program Officer’s information is a required field on the cover sheet.

Submitters MUST list Dr. Michael Simpson as the Program Officer and use the email usn.pentagon.cnr-arlington-va.mbx.don-stem-grants@us.navy. Any cover page listing incorrect program officer information may not be received by NSCO.

• Title: Please include program titles at the start of the white paper as part of the 4-page document.

• Technical Approach and Justification (1.5-Page Maximum): A description of the proposed effort. The project idea, technical rationale, and approach must identify a problem(s), arguments to substantiate claims made, and proposed approach to address the issue. The applicant’s capacity must be discussed as they relate to achieving success in the project. The project must address the FOA description stated in Section II.A including proposed DEI efforts.

• Future Naval Relevance (0.5 Page Maximum)-A descriptions of potential Naval relevance and contributions of the effort to the agency’s specific mission. This may include naval partnerships, community partnerships, and the Naval need in terms of both technical focus area and targeted level of STEM Education.

• Naval Partnerships (0.5 Page Maximum) – Applicants should briefly describe how they plan to go about identifying and arranging partnerships with NSSOs as well as provide a table identifying any potential Naval partners, including the organization, name, contact information (email and phone number) and role in program where applicable. Applicants may include in the table whether potential partners have been approached about the specific program.

• Management Approach (0.5 Page Maximum) – Provide a description of the management approach to carry out the program successfully.

• Metrics of Evaluation (0.5 Page Maximum) – A description of a set of program specific measures of performance and measures of effectiveness appropriate to the goals of the project.

• Rough Order of Magnitude (0.5 Page Maximum) - White Paper submissions shall include a table of rough order of magnitude cost showing requested funding per year, total cost, and suggests spending priorities to satisfy Section II. A

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iii. Submissions

ONR utilizes FedConnect for the submission of white papers. FedConnect is a web portal that bridges the gap between government agencies and performers to streamline the process of doing business with the government. Through this portal, performers will be able to review opportunities and submit white papers. To access FedConnect go to https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/default.htm.

1. How to register for FedConnect

FedConnect how to guide can be found at https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/Marketing/Documents/FedConnect_Ready_Set _Go.pdf.

a. Register with SAM: All organizations applying online through Fedconnect must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) and will receive a unique entity identifier (UEI) number. Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through FedConnect. SAM registration must be renewed annually. If you have not registered in SAM, go to https://www.sam.gov/SAM/.

If you are the first person in your organization to register in FedConnect, your SAM Marketing Partner ID (SAM MPIN) will also be required. It is the number that is set up by your organization as part of the registration in SAM.gov.

b. Create a FedConnect account: The next step in the registration process is to create an account with FedConnect.

2. FedConnect Assistance

If you need assistance, the FedConnect Support Team is standing by to assist you.

Email: fcsupport@unisonglobal.com Phone: 1-800-899-6665 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT. Closed on Federal holidays.

FedConnect Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the ONR website at https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/how-to-apply/frequently-asked-questions.

Do not use the Message Center within FedConnect to submit questions, please email the technical point of contact identified in Section G Federal Awarding Agency Contacts.

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 your attachments are not PDF, contain macros or are 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.

https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/default.htm https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/Marketing/Documents/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.pdf https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/Marketing/Documents/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.pdf https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

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i. Format for Technical Proposal

• Paper size – 8.5 x 11 inch

• Margins – 1 inch

• Spacing – single-spaced

• Font – Times New Roman, 12-point

• Page Limit – Technical Proposal: 25 pages o NOTE: The following components are excluded from the page limit

• Cover page

• Table of contents Letters of Support and interest

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Cited references

There are no page limitations for the budget.

The 25-page technical proposal must include the following sections:

• Cover page

• Table of Contents

• Technical Approach – no more than 13 pages

• Naval Relevance and Partnerships – no more than 1 and one-half pages

• Project Schedule and Milestones – no more than 2 pages

• Management Approach – no more than 2 pages

• Metrics and Evaluation – no more than 2 pages

• Qualifications – no more than 2 pages

• Responsibilities – no more than 2 pages

• Reports – no more than one-half page

ii. Content

NOTE: The electronic file name for all documents submitted under this FOA 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/web/grants/forms.html

(1) 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/web/grants/forms/r-r-family.html.

The completion of most fields is self-explanatory with the exception of the following special instructions:

• Field 3 - Date Received by State: Leave Blank https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html

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• 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)

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).

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

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(2) PROJECT/ABSTRACT

The project summary/abstract must identify the problem and objectives, technical approaches, anticipated outcome of the program, if successful, and impact on DoD capabilities. Use only characters 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://publicaccess.dtic.mil/search/#/grants/simpleSearch

(3) 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 F).

• 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 F).

• 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. for example, requires that agencies consider the environmental impact of “major Federal actions” prior to any final agency decision. With respect to those awards which constitute “major Federal actions,” as defined in 40 CFR 1508.18, federal agencies may be required to comply with NEPA and prepare environmental planning documentation such as an environmental impact statement (EIS), even if the agency does no more than provide grant funds to the recipient. Most field research funded by ONR, however, constitute activities covered by a NEPA categorical exclusion that do not require preparation of further environmental planning documentation. This is particularly true with regard to basic and applied scientific research conducted entirely within the confines of a laboratory, if the research complies with all other applicable safety, environmental and natural resource conservation laws. Questions regarding NEPA or other environmental planning or regulatory compliance issues should be referred to the technical point of contact.

• Field 7 – Project Summary/Abstract: Leave Field 7 blank; complete Form SF 424 Project Abstract.

If an error message occurs when leaving Block 7 blank, upload the Project Abstract.

https://publicaccess.dtic.mil/search/#/grants/simpleSearch

FOA N00014-23-S-F001 FY23 DON STEM Education and Workforce Program 17

• Field 8 – Project Narrative: Clearly describe the program, including the objective and approach to be performed, keeping in mind the evaluation criteria. Attach the entire proposal narrative to R&R Other Project Information form in Field 8. To attach a Project Narrative to Field 8, click on “Add attachment” and attach the technical proposal as a single PDF file. Save the file as “Technical Proposal” as typing in the box is prohibited.

The technical proposal must describe the program in sections as described below:

o Cover Page (not included in page limit): This must include the words “Technical Proposal” and the following:

FOA Number: N00014-23-S-F001;

Title of proposal;

Identity of prime applicant and complete list of subawardees, if applicable;

Technical contact (name, address, phone/fax, electronic mail address);

Administrative/business contact (name, address, phone/fax, electronic mail address); and Proposed period of performance (identify both the base period and options, if included).

o Table of Contents (not included in page limit): An alphabetical/numerical listing of the sections within the proposal, including corresponding page numbers.

o Technical Approach (included in page limit): The proposal must consist of a clear description of the technical approach being proposed and its potential naval relevance and contribution to agency’s specific science and engineering workforce. Broadly, the proposal may address in some combination as is relevant the following discussion points:

Discuss scientific and technical merits and its potential to achieve the objectives of the program, including the extent to which the proposed effort would enhance current capabilities;

Identify proposed efforts for increasing or maintaining the educational pathway and the potential of the proposed program to educate future scientists and engineers in STEM disciplines critical to the Naval mission;

Discuss increased or enhanced opportunities to disseminate information on Naval programs and careers;

Discuss the potential and extent to which the proposed program engages Naval laboratories as active participants in program execution; and

Discuss the DEI of the program including outreach to underrepresented communities and inclusion of underrepresented individuals.

o Future Naval Relevance and Partnerships (included in page limit):

Describe specifically how the program aligns with and will advance the DON mission; and

List of any proposed Naval Partnerships in a table along with the name, organization, and email and telephone number.

o Project Schedule and Milestones (included in page limit): A summary of the schedule of events and milestones.

o Management Approach (included in page limit): Describe the overall management approach and provide rationale for participation of key team members. Describe the

FOA N00014-23-S-F001 FY23 DON STEM Education and Workforce Program 18 planned relationships with any subawardees or collaborators. This is a single PI award; if there are subawardees or collaborators, explain how the proposed team fits the single PI structure. If appropriate, briefly describe anticipated schedule.

o Metrics of Evaluation (included in page limit): Discuss the metrics and evaluation plans for this project. Metrics and evaluation components must include but not be limited to:

Logic models and program operating guidelines;

Anticipated data collection and results; and Data instruments as feasible.

o Principal Investigator Qualifications (included in page limit): A discussion of the qualifications of the proposed Principal Investigator and any other key personnel.

o Responsibility (included in page limit): Applicants must provide the following information to ONR in order to assist in ONR’s evaluation of the applicant’s responsibility:

Describe how you have adequate resources or the ability to obtain such resources as required to complete the activities proposed.

Describe how you have the ability to comply with the grant conditions, taking into account all existing and currently prospective commitments of the applicant, nongovernmental and governmental.

Describe your performance history; specifically, your record in managing Federal awards and the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to future awards.

Describe your record of integrity and business ethics.

Describe qualifications and eligibility to receive an award under applicable laws and regulations.

Describe your organization, experience, accounting, and operational controls and technical skills, or the ability to obtain them (including as appropriate such elements as property control systems, quality assurance measures, and safety programs applicable to the efforts to be performed).

o Reports (included in page limit): The Applicant must acknowledge that the following reports are required under an ONR funded STEM effort:

Quarterly Technical – A template will be provided to each starting grant. The report will include programmatic developments, and major successes or major problems that warrant ONR attention;

Monthly Financial Progress Reports – This report will include information on current expenses and invoices (with numbers) for each month;

Annual Performance Progress Report – A template will be provided to each starting grant. A complete annual Research Performance Report is mandated by ONR. This report will be due during the summer months regardless of grant start date; and

Final Report – Detail the full programmatic accomplishments and a forecast for ongoing program sustainability and contribution to Naval Education and Workforce needs as the funding ends. Include, as feasible, examples of educational materials produced, links to digital materials, and other resultant material from the award.

FOA N00014-23-S-F001 FY23 DON STEM Education and Workforce Program 19

• Field 9 – Bibliography & Referenced Cited: Upload your Bibliography/Referenced cited as a single PDF.

• Field 10 – Facilities & Other Resources: Describe facilities available for performing the proposed effort and any additional facilities the applicant proposes to acquire at its own expense. Indicate government-owned facilities already possessed that will be used. (Additional equipment will not be provided unless the research cannot be completed by any other practical means.)

• Field 11 – Equipment: Describe any equipment available or any additional equipment the application proposes to acquire at its own expense. Indicate government owned equipment that will be use. Justify the need for each equipment item and provide vendor quotes. (Additional equipment will not be provided unless the effort cannot be completed by any other practical means.)

• Field 12 – Other Attachments: Optional, as necessary

Grants do not include the delivery of software, prototypes or other hardware deliverables.

(4) RESEARCH AND RELATED BUDGET

The applicant must use the Grants.gov forms (including the Standard Form (SF) Research and Related (R&R) Budget Form) from the application package template associated with the FOA on the Grants.gov web site located at http://www.grants.gov/. If options are proposed, the cost proposal must provide the pricing information for the option periods; failure to include the proposed costs for the option periods will result in the options not being included in the award.

The applicant shall provide a detailed cost breakdown of all costs, by cost category.

A separate Adobe .pdf document shall be included in the application that provides appropriate justification and/or supporting documentation for each element of cost proposed and include a link to the current since audit report. This document shall be attached under Section K. “Budget Justification” of the Research and Related Budget form. Click “Add Attachment” to attach.

• Part 1: The itemized budget should include the following. All costs should be rounded to the nearest dollar.

• Direct Labor – Individual labor categories or persons, with associated labor hours and unburdened direct labor rates. Provide escalation rates for out years.

• Administrative and Clerical Labor – Salaries of administrative and clerical staff are normally indirect costs (and included in an indirect cost rate). Direct charging of these costs may be appropriate when a major project requires an extensive amount of administrative or clerical support significantly greater than normal and routine levels of support. Budgets proposing direct charging of administrative or clerical salaries must be supported with a budget justification which adequately describes the major project and the administrative and/or clerical work to be performed.

Fringe Benefits and Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administration (F&A), Overhead, G&A, etc.) – The proposal should show the rates and calculation of the costs for each rate category. If the rates have been approved/negotiated by a Government agency, provide a copy of the memorandum/agreement. If the non-Federal entity has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, they may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified

FOA N00014-23-S-F001 FY23 DON STEM Education and Workforce Program 20 total direct costs or provide sufficient detail to enable a determination of allowability, allocability and reasonableness of the allocation bases, and how the rates are calculated. See 2 CFR 200.414(f) regarding the use of a de minimis rate.

• Travel – The proposed travel cost must include the following for each trip: the purpose of the trip, origin and destination if known, approximate duration, the number of travelers, and the estimated cost per trip must be justified based on the organizations historical average cost per trip or other reasonable basis for estimation. Such estimates and the resultant costs claimed must conform to the applicable Federal cost principles. Applicants may include travel costs for the Principal Investigator to attend the peer reviews described in Section II of this FOA.

• Subawards/Subcontracts – Provide a description of the work to be performed by the subrecipient/subcontractor. For each subaward, a detailed cost proposal is required to be submitted by the subrecipient(s) using the R&R budget form. The same requirements for the individual categories identified in this section apply to the subaward/subcontract, including any applicable indirect rate agreement/documentation. Include subrecipient(s) name at the top of the budget justification document. Subaward entities are required to have a UEI number. A proposal and any supporting documentation must be received and reviewed before the Government can complete its cost analysis of the proposal and enter negotiations.

ONR's preferred method of receiving subcontract information is for this information to be included with the Prime's proposal. However, a subcontractor's cost proposal can be provided in a sealed envelope with the recipient's cost proposal or via e-mail directly to the Program Officer at the same time the prime proposal is submitted. The e-mail should identify the proposal title, the prime applicant and that the attached proposal is a subcontract.

• Consultants – Provide a breakdown of the consultant’s hours, the hourly rate proposed, and any other proposed consultant costs, a copy of the signed Consulting Agreement or other documentation supporting the proposed consultant rate/cost, and a copy of the consultant’s proposed statement of work if it is not already separately identified in the prime applicant’s proposal.

• Materials & Supplies – Provide an itemized list of all proposed materials and supplies including quantities, unit prices, and the basis for the estimate (e.g., quotes, prior purchases, catalog price lists).

• Recipient Acquired Equipment or Facilities – Equipment and/or facilities are normally furnished by the Recipient. If acquisition of equipment and/or facilities is proposed, a justification for the purchase of the items must be provided. Provide an itemized list of all equipment and/or facilities costs and the basis for the estimate (e.g., quotes, prior purchases, catalog price lists). General purpose equipment (i.e., equipment not used exclusively for technical activities, such as personal computers, laptops, office equipment) should not be requested unless they will be used primarily or exclusively for the project. For computer/laptop purchases and other general purpose equipment, if proposed, include a statement indicating how each item of equipment will be integrated into the program or used as an integral part of the effort. Applicants must provide vendor quotes for any proposed capital equipment costs.

• Other Direct Costs – Provide an itemized list of all other proposed other direct costs such as

Graduate Assistant tuition, laboratory fees, report and publication costs, and the basis for the

FOA N00014-23-S-F001 FY23 DON STEM Education and Workforce Program 21 estimate (e.g., quotes, prior purchases, catalog price lists).

The funds provided by ONR (including ONRG), generally may not be used to pay for food or beverages as a direct cost except in exceptional circumstances. The funds shall not be used for food or beverages unless

a. The grant proposal contains a request for such funding that is fully supported factually in accordance with the cost principles of the relevant OMB Circular, and

b. The Grants Officer determines that the funding is a reasonable, allocable, allowable expense under the relevant cost principles.

• Fee/Profit – Fee/profit is unallowable under assistance agreements at either the prime or subaward level but may be permitted on contracts issued by the prime awardee.

(5) RESEARCH AND RELATED SENIOR/KEY PERSON PROFILE (EXPANDED)

To evaluate compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. A§ 1681 Et. Seq.), the Department of Defense is collecting certain demographic and career information to be able to assess the success rates of women who are proposed for key roles in applications in STEM disciplines.

The R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) form will be used to collect the following information for all senior/key personnel, including Project Director/Principal Investigator and Co- Project Director/Co-Principal Investigator, whether or not the individuals' efforts under the project are to be funded by the DoD:

• Degree Type and Degree Year fields as the source for career information.

• Current and Pending Support shall include a list of all current projects the individual is working on, in addition to any future support the individual has applied to receive, regardless of the source. Upload this document by clicking “Add Attachment.” The following information shall be included for each current or pending project:

• Upload the biosketch/CV/resume to the Biographical Sketch field.

Additional senior/key persons can be added by selecting the “Next Person” button. Note that, although applications without these fields completed may pass Grants.gov edit checks, if ONR receives an application without the required information, ONR may determine that the application is incomplete and may cause it to be returned without further review. DoD reserves the right to request further details from the applicant before making a final determination on funding the effort.

(6) RESEARCH AND RELATED PERSONAL DATA

This form will be used by ONR as the source of demographic information, such as gender, race, ethnicity, and disability information for the Project Director/Principal Investigator and all other persons identified as Co-Project Director(s)/Co-Principal…