NOFOAFRLAFOSR20260002_Amendment_1.pdf

ONR Announcement N0001426SF002 ARO Announcement W911NF26S1000

AFOSR Announcement NOFOAFRLAFOSR20260002

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO)

Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)

Deadlines

White Paper Inquiries and Questions 6 November 2026 (Friday)

White Papers must be received no later than

20 November 2026 (Friday) at 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Application Inquiries and Questions 12 March 2027 (Friday)

Applications must be received no later than

9 April 2027 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Amendment 1: Makes updates to the following

• For Topic 14, replaced Danielle Paynter with Paul Armistead

• For Topic 15: Wherever mentioned, the last word of the title should be “Materials” instead of “Material”:

High-Entropy Electrochemical Materials.

• Add references to the end of Topic 16:

o References:

[1] Davami et al., Additively Manufactured Self-Healing Structures with Embedded Healing Agent Reservoirs, Scientific Reports 9.7474 (2019).

[2] Qamar et al., Grand Challenges in the Design and Manufacture of Vascular Self-Healing, Multifunctional Materials, 3, 1 (2020).

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

7. Key Dates

8. Executive Summary

9. Agency Contact Information

B. Eligibility

1. Eligibility for Competition

2. Eligible Applicants

3. Gold Standard Science

3.A. Adherence to Gold Standard Science

Gold Standard Science (GSS): IAW EO 14303; GSS is science conducted in a manner that is:

(1) reproducible;

(2) transparent;

(3) communicative of error and uncertainty;

(4) collaborative and interdisciplinary;

(5) skeptical of its findings and assumptions;

(6) structured for falsifiability of hypotheses;

(7) subject to unbiased peer review;

(8) accepting negative results as positive outcomes; and

(9) without conflicts of interest

4. Funding Restrictions

5. Contracted Fundamental Research

6. Cost Sharing or Matching

C. Program Description

1. Instrument Type

D. Application Contents and Format

1. Content and Form of Application Submission

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)

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

a. Risk-based Security Review Process

G. Award Notices

1. Email

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 War 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:

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 SF-424 (R&R), block 17, Financial Assistance Certifications and Representations)

l. Certification Regarding Disclosure of Funding Sources (Supplement to SF-424, block 17, Financial Assistance Certifications and Representations

m. Certification of Gold Standard Science

n. Conflict of Interest

o. Code of Conduct

p. Peer Review

q. Requirements for Operation and Procurement of Commercial off the Shelf Unmanned Aircraft Systems

r. Research Integrity

2. Reporting

a. Reporting Procedures

b. Reporting Frequency

c. Definitions

d. Post Award Reporting Requirements

I. Other Information

Topic 1: (AFOSR) Non-linear Mixing Processes for EUV and X-ray Radiation in Optically Thick Systems

Topic 2: (AFOSR) Tunable Goniopolar Semiconductors

Topic 3: (AFOSR) Robustness to Novel Queries in AI for Scientific Discovery

Topic 4: (AFOSR) Unlocking the Potential of TEM Ptychography

Topic 5: (AFOSR) Science with Optical Cycling Centers for Energy Redistribution (SOCCER)

Topic 6: (ARO) Th-229 Enabled by the Solid State (TESS)

Topic 7: (ARO) Reticular Qubit Assemblies

Topic 8: (ARO) Design of Superomniphobic Materials via Development of Novel, High-throughput, Multi-scale Biological Assays

Topic 9: (ARO) Some Like It Hot: Decoding the Biogeochemical Matrix of Fire and Smoke Borne Particulates

Topic 10: (ARO) Interfacial Superconcentration in Extreme Multiphase Regimes

Topic 11: (ARO) Atomic and Molecular Hybrid Quantum Solids

Topic 12: (ONR) Distinguishing between AI generated content and human created content

Topic 13: (ONR) Troposcatter Sensitivity to Atmospheric and Electromagnetic Conditions

Topic 14: (ONR) Interface Mediated Control of Biofilm Function

Topic 15: (ONR) High-Entropy Electrochemical Materials

Topic 16: (ONR) Bio-Inspired Autonomous and Recurrent Self-Healing in Materials and Structures

Overview of the Research Opportunity

The Department of War (DoW) Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI), one element of the University Research Initiatives (URI), is sponsored by the DoW research offices. Those offices include the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Army Research Office (ARO), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) (hereafter collectively referred to as "DoW agencies" or “DoW”).

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 DoW agencies reserve the right to fund all, some, or none of the proposals received under this NOFO. The DoW agencies provide 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 the DoW agencies 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.

A formal Request for Proposals (RFP), solicitation, and/or additional information regarding this announcement will not be issued.

DoW's MURI program addresses high-risk basic research and attempts to understand or achieve something that has never been done before. The program was initiated over 40 years ago and it has regularly produced significant scientific breakthroughs with far reaching consequences to the fields of science, economic growth, and revolutionary new military technologies. Key to the program’s success is the close management of the MURI projects by Service Program Officers and their active role in providing research guidance.

IAW Executive Order 14332, all technical program descriptions contained in this BAA reflect the basic research priorities for the Department of War, specifically the interests of the Service Program associated with each Topic, and are defined to advance the administration and agency priorities (c.f., OMB memo M-25-34 “Fiscal Year 2027 Administration Research and Development Budget Priorities and Cross-Cutting Actions”).

Awards will take the form of grants. FOR ARO SUBMISSIONS ONLY, awards will take the form of grants and/or cooperative agreements. Any assistance instrument awarded under this announcement will be governed by the award terms and conditions that conform to DoW’s implementation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) circulars applicable to financial assistance. Terms and conditions will reflect DoW implementation of OMB guidance in 2 CFR Part 200, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.”

Please note the following important items:

• Applicants should be alert for any amendments that may modify the announcement. Amendments to the original NOFO will be posted to the Grants.gov webpage: https://www.grants.gov/

• A project abstract is required with the application and must be publicly releasable as specified in the section Project Summary/Abstract.

• Responses to the Certifications and Representations indicated in the section Administrative and National Policy Requirements of this NOFO are required with the application.

• The notice that advisors external to the U.S. government may be used as subject-matter-expert technical consultants in the evaluation of the proposals after signing non-disclosure statements is contained in the section Evaluation Panel.

https://www.grants.gov/

The complete list of topics is below. See section “Other Information” for topic descriptions and more information.

AFOSR

Topic 1: Non-linear Mixing Processes for EUV and X-ray Radiation in Optically Thick Systems

Topic 2: Tunable Goniopolar Semiconductors

Topic 3: Robustness to Novel Queries in AI for Scientific Discovery

Topic 4: Unlocking the Potential of TEM Ptychography

Topic 5: Science with Optical Cycling Centers for Energy Redistribution (SOCCER)

ARO

Topic 6: Th-229 Enabled by the Solid State (TESS)

Topic 7: Reticular Qubit Assemblies

Topic 8: Design of Superomniphobic Materials via Development of Novel, High-throughput, Multi-scale Biological Assays

Topic 9: Some Like It Hot: Decoding the Biogeochemical Matrix of Fire and Smoke Borne Particulates

Topic 10: Interfacial Superconcentration in Extreme Multiphase Regimes

Topic 11: Atomic and Molecular Hybrid Quantum Solids

ONR

Topic 12: Distinguishing between AI generated content and human created content

Topic 13: Troposcatter Sensitivity to Atmospheric and Electromagnetic Conditions

Topic 14: Interface Mediated Control of Biofilm Function

Topic 15: High-Entropy Electrochemical Materials

Topic 16: Bio-Inspired Autonomous and Recurrent Self-Healing in Materials and Structures

A. Basic Information

1. Federal Agency Name

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

Army Research Office 800 Park Office Drive Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Air Force Office of Scientific Research 875 North Randolph Street Arlington, VA 22203

2. Funding Opportunity Title

Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative

3. Announcement Type

Initial Announcement

4. Funding Opportunity Number

ONR: N0001426SF002

ARO: W911NF26S1000

AFOSR: NOFOAFRLAFOSR20260002

5. Assistance Listing Number

ONR: 12.300

ARO: 12.431

AFOSR: 12.800

6. Funding Details

Funded Amount and Period of Performance

The total amount of funding for the five years available for grants resulting from this MURI NOFO is estimated to be approximately $170 million dollars pending out-year appropriations. MURI awards are contingent on availability of funds, the specific topic, and the scope of the proposed work. Typical annual funding per grant is up to $1.5M. The amount of the award and the number of supported researchers should generally not exceed the limit specified for the individual topics in the section TOPIC DESCRIPTIONS.

It is strongly recommended that Applicants communicate with the Research Topic Chiefs listed with the topic descriptions in Section I regarding these issues before the submission of formal proposals. Depending on the results of the proposal evaluation, there is no guarantee that any of the proposals submitted in response to a particular topic will be recommended for funding. On the other hand, more than one proposal may be recommended for funding for a particular topic.

7. Key Dates

Anticipated Schedule of Events * Event Date

(MM/DD/YEAR)

Time (Local Eastern Time)

Questions Regarding Eligibility and Technical Requirements **

6 November 2026

White Papers Due (optional) 20 November 2026 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Notifications of Initial Evaluations of White Papers*

8 January 2027

Questions for Grants Officer Regarding Proposal Submission**

12 March 2027

Proposals or Invited Proposals Due

9 April 2027 5:00 PM Eastern Time

Notification of Selection for Award * July 2027

Start Date of Grant* August 2027 *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 OPTIONAL but strongly recommended.

8. Executive Summary

Established in 1985, the Department of War Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program funds U.S. academic research teams to conduct high-impact basic research that addresses future challenges faced by the Department of War. The MURI program specifically supports U.S. university teams investigating complex, DoW-relevant problem sets at the intersection of multiple scientific disciplines. MURI teams bring together world-class faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students—helping to develop a technically advanced, defense-aware scientific workforce and strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base.

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 Notice of Funding Opportunity (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:

One or more Research Topic Chiefs are identified for each SPECIFIC MURI TOPIC. Questions of a technical nature on a specific topic shall be directed to one of the Research Topic Chiefs identified in Section I entitled “TOPIC DESCRIPTIONS” of this NOFO.

• Questions of a policy nature shall be submitted to:

MURI Program Points of Contact:

Office of Naval Research: Dr. Amanda Netburn Email: Amanda.N.Netburn.civ@us.navy.mil

Army Research Office: Dr. Sue Kase Email: usarmy.rtp.devcom-arl.mbx.aro-muri@army.mil

Air Force Office of Scientific Research: Ms. Katie Wisecarver Email: afosr.rtb.muri@us.af.mil

• Questions regarding Grants proposal submissions shall be submitted to:

Veronica Lacey

OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH

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

Ramila Century

USARMY ACC

Email: ramila.century.civ@army.mil

Jorge Gallegos

AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND, AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY, CONTRACTING

OFFICE (AFMC/AFRL RBKR)

Email: jorge.gallegos@us.af.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.

mailto:Amanda.N.Netburn.civ@us.navy.mil mailto:usarmy.rtp.devcom-arl.mbx.aro-muri@army.mil mailto:afosr.rtb.muri@us.af.mil mailto:veronica.y.lacey.civ@us.navy.mil mailto:ramila.century.civ@army.mil mailto:jorge.gallegos@us.af.mil

2. Eligible Applicants

This MURI competition is open only to, and proposals are to be submitted only by, U.S. institutions of higher education (universities) with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering, including DoW institutions of higher education. To the extent that it is a part of a U.S. institution of higher education and is not designated as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) is eligible to submit a proposal to this MURI competition and/or receive MURI funds. Ineligible organizations (e.g., industry, DoW laboratories, FFRDCs, and foreign entities) may collaborate on the research but may not receive MURI funds directly or via subaward.

To assess risk posed by Applicants, we review your application, proposal, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) designated repositories of government-wide public and non-public data, including comments you have made, as required by 41 U.S.C. 2313 and described in 2 CFR 200.206 and 32 CFR 22.410 to confirm you are qualified, responsible, and eligible to receive an award.

When additional funding for an ineligible organization is necessary to make the proposed collaboration possible, such funds may be identified via a separate proposal from that organization. This supplemental proposal shall be attached to the primary MURI proposal and will be evaluated in accordance with the MURI review criteria by the responsible Research Topic Chief. If approved, the supplemental proposal may be funded using non-MURI or non-Government funds.

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, DoW may continue to request updated continuing and pending support information, which will be reviewed and may result in discontinuation of funding.

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

3. Gold Standard Science

3.A. Adherence to Gold Standard Science

Gold Standard Science (GSS): IAW EO 14303; GSS is science conducted in a manner that is:

(1) reproducible;

(2) transparent;

(3) communicative of error and uncertainty;

(4) collaborative and interdisciplinary;

(5) skeptical of its findings and assumptions;

(6) structured for falsifiability of hypotheses;

(7) subject to unbiased peer review;

(8) accepting negative results as positive outcomes; and

(9) without conflicts of interest.

The U.S. Department of War expects the highest standards of scientific rigor, integrity and adherence to appropriate tenets of GSS. For more on these standards and DoW expectations, see https://www.cto.mil/gold-standard-science-implementation-plan/. The DoW will prioritize institutions that have demonstrated success in implementing GSS, in accordance with EO14303 and EO14332.

By responding to this NOFO, you explicitly agree to the following statements:

https://www.cto.mil/gold-standard-science-implementation-plan/

1) Our institution understands the definition of Gold Standard Science as outlined above.

2) Our institution is committed to achieving Gold Standard Science, and all personnel involved in the proposed project will adhere to all administration policies, procedures, and guidance respecting Gold Standard Science in the execution of this project, if funded.

3.B. Expectations of Adherence to EO 14332

To meet EO 14332, applications/proposals shall include clear benchmarks for measuring success and progress towards relevant goals.

4. Funding Restrictions

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.

1. 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:

(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.

2. 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.

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

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

5. Contracted Fundamental Research

With regard to any restrictions on the conduct or outcome of work funded under this NOFO, DoW agencies 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 DoW 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 DoW 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. DoW 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 DoW pre-publication review of such research results due to subject matter sensitivity. Potential applicants should consult with the appropriate Research Topic Chiefs to determine whether the proposed effort would constitute fundamental or non-fundamental research.

6. 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.

C. Program Description 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

The MURI program supports basic research in science and engineering at U.S. institutions of higher education (hereafter referred to as "universities") that is of potential interest to DoW. The program is focused on multidisciplinary research efforts where more than one traditional discipline interacts to provide rapid advances in scientific areas of interest to the DoW. As defined in the DoW Financial Management Regulation:

Basic research is systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs. It is farsighted high payoff research that provides the basis for technological progress (DoD 7000.14-R, vol. 2B, chap. 5, para. 050105. A.)

DoW’s basic research program invests broadly in many fields to ensure that it has early cognizance of new scientific knowledge.

Detailed descriptions of the topics and the Topic Chief for each can be found in Section I., entitled, “TOPIC DESCRIPTIONS.” The detailed descriptions are intended to provide the Applicant a frame of reference and are not meant to be restrictive to the possible approaches to achieving the goals of the topic and the program.

Innovative ideas addressing these research topics are highly encouraged.

Proposals from a team of university investigators are expected when the necessary expertise in addressing the multiple facets of the topics may reside in different universities. By supporting multidisciplinary teams, the program is complementary to other DoW basic research programs that support university research through single-investigator awards. Proposals shall name one Principal Investigator (PI) as the responsible technical point of contact. Similarly, one institution shall be the primary awardee for the purpose of award execution.

The PI shall come from the primary institution. The relationship among participating institutions and their respective roles, as well as the apportionment of funds including sub-awards, if any, shall be described in both the proposal text and the budget.

White papers and proposals addressing the following topics should be submitted to the respective agency following the submission instructions in section “Submission Instructions.”

Please see detailed Topic Information under the section “Other Information.”

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 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.

Offerors 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.

D. Application Contents and Format

1. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. General Information

All submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable law and DoW 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.

The proposal submission process has two stages:

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a white paper; and

• Applicants must submit a proposal through Grants.gov.

Prospective awardees are encouraged to submit white papers to minimize the labor and cost associated with the production of detailed proposals that have very little chance of being selected for funding. Based on an assessment of the white papers, the responsible Research Topic Chief will provide informal feedback notification to the prospective awardees to encourage or discourage submission of proposals. The Research Topic Chief may also, on occasion, provide feedback encouraging re-teaming to strengthen a proposal.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section4001&num=0&edition=prelim

b. White Papers

i. Format

• Paper size – 8.5x11-inch

• Margins – 1 inch

• Spacing – single-spaced

• Font – Times New Roman, 12-point

• Page limit – No more than four (4) single-sided pages (excluding cover letter, cover page, references, and curriculum vitae). White paper pages beyond the 4-page limit may not be evaluated or read.

ii. Content

The white papers and proposals submitted under this NOFO are expected to address unclassified basic research. White papers and proposals will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable laws and DoW regulations.

Applicants are expected to appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains proprietary information.

For proposals containing data that the Applicant does not want disclosed to the public for any reason, or used by the Government except for evaluation purposes, the Applicant shall mark the title page with the following legend:

“This proposal includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed--in whole or in part--for any purpose other than to evaluate the proposal or for program coordination. If, however, a grant is awarded to this Applicant as a result of, or in connection with, the submission of this data, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting award. This restriction does not limit the Government’s right to use information contained in this data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction is contained in (insert numbers or other identification of sheets).”

Also, mark each sheet of data that the Applicant wishes to restrict with the following legend: “Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal.”

Use of Principal Investigator (PI) Over Multiple Proposals/Topics:

Applicants contemplating the use of an individual as Principal Investigator (PI) for more than one proposal and/or topic are strongly encouraged to contact the Topic Chief(s) prior to white paper submission to determine if the Topic Chief(s) support PI participation in multiple proposals and/or topics. Support of the use of a PI over multiple proposals and/or topics is at the discretion of the Topic Chief(s).

PI participation in multiple proposals and/or topics shall be identified in all white paper submissions where the PI is proposed. The white paper should also document the amount of time the PI is available for the project(s) and how the PI will manage their time given the possibility of multiple awards.

Applicants that do not submit white papers, but wish to submit a proposal, shall document PI participation in multiple proposals and/or topics in all proposals where the PI is proposed. The proposal should also document the amount of time the PI is available for the project(s) and how the PI will manage their time given the possibility of multiple awards.

White papers shall include the following:

• The cover sheet shall include the NOFO number, proposed title, and proposer's technical point of contact, with telephone number, facsimile number, e-mail address, topic number, and topic title.

• The white paper shall provide:

o Identification of the research and issues o Proposed technical approaches o Potential impact on DoW capabilities o Potential team and management plan o Summary of estimated costs o Curriculum vitae of key investigators (see Use of Principal Investigator (PI) Over Multiple

Proposals/Topics) o Identification of any Organizational Conflict(s) of Interest (if any) – See section detailing

Conflict of Interest.

The white paper should provide sufficient information on the research being proposed (e.g., hypothesis, theories, concepts, approaches, data measurements and analysis, benchmarks for success, etc.) to allow for an assessment by a technical expert. It is not necessary for white papers to carry official institutional signatures.

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 any attachment is not a PDF, contains macros, or is password protected, it will not pass the automated acceptance check and will need to be resubmitted. Note that 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

• Font – Times New Roman, 12-point

• Page Limit – Technical Proposal: 25 pages*

There are no page limitations for the budget.

*INCLUDED IN PAGE COUNT NOT INCLUDED IN PAGE COUNT

Technical Approach/Project Narrative Budget, Cover Letter, Table of Contents

Management Approach Everything else not listed in “included in page count”

Principal Investigator Qualifications

Disclosure of Conflict of Commitment and Conflict of Interest

This announcement requires that all current and pending research support, as defined by Section 223 of the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act must be disclosed at the time of proposal, for all covered individuals. Such disclosure will be updated annually during the performance of any research project selected for funding, and whenever covered individuals are added or identified as performing under this project.

Covered individuals are those who are listed as key personnel on proposals including but not restricted to the Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator.

Any decision to accept a proposal for funding under this announcement will include full reliance on the Applicant’s statements. Failure to report fully and completely all sources of project support and outside positions and affiliations may be considered a materials statement within the meaning of the federal False Claims Act and constitutes a violation of law.

The funding agency may conduct a pre-award conflict of interest/conflict of commitment review of any proposal selected for funding as described in the DoW Component Decision Matrix to Inform Fundamental Research Proposal Mitigation Decisions. Offerors are advised that any significant conflict of interest/conflict of commitment identified may be a basis for the rejection of an otherwise awardable proposal.

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 ONR, enter “N00014” For ARO, enter “W36QYT” For AFOSR, enter “FA9550”

• Field 4b - Agency Routing Number:

This field is used to route the proposal to the appropriate Research Topic Chief, as listed in the section Topic Descriptions. Where multiple Research Topic Chiefs are listed, please direct the proposal to the first person listed.

For ONR, enter the three (3) digit Research Topic Chief’s Code and the Research Topic Chief’s name, last name first, in brackets (e.g., 331 [Smith, John]). Note: There is a space between the code and the first [ and https://www.grants.gov/forms https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/r-r-family between the , and the First Name. There is no space between the first [ and the last name.

Where the ONR Research Topic Chief 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 Research Topic Chief Code identifier may receive a notice that their proposal is rejected.

For ARO, enter the name of the Research Topic Chief.

For AFOSR, enter the Research Topic Chief’s MURI Topic Number (#) and Research Topic Chief’s name (last name first) in brackets (e.g., 12 [Smith, John]).

• 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 SF-424 application to create the EDA notification profile. DoW 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 appropriate agency (i.e., ONR, AFOSR, or ARO) as the reviewing agency. This field is usually pre-populated in Grants.gov.

• Field 11 – Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project: Include “MURI:” at the beginning of your descriptive title.

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 SF-424 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).

For AFOSR, if you check “I agree” on SF424 block 17 and do NOT upload a completed SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, you are certifying that you do NOT have any lobbying activities to disclose. If you do have lobbying activities to disclose, you MUST check “I agree” on SF424 block 17 AND upload a completed

SF-LLL.

• Field 19 – Authorized Representative: Email address entered by the grantee on the SF-424 application to create the EDA notification profile. Note: If the name in the signature field of Block 19 does not match the https://sam.gov/content/home name listed as the AOR, you must provide signature delegation authority in the form of written approval from the named AOR or an institutional memo granting delegated signature authority.

ii. PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT

The project summary/abstract must identify the research problem and objectives, technical approaches, anticipated outcome of the research, if successful, and impact on DoW 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 Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) website: https://discover.dtic.mil/public-access-search/.

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 the section “Use of Human Subjects in Research”.

• 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 the section “Use of Animals”.

• 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 DoW, 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.

• Field 8 – Project Narrative: Clearly describe the research, 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.

https://discover.dtic.mil/public-access-search/

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

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

ONR NOFO Number: N0001426SF002 or ARO: W911NF26S1000; or

AFOSR: NOFOAFRLAFOSR20260002

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): Describe the scientific or technical concepts that will be investigated, providing the complete research plan, emphasizing hypothesis-driven research that is falsifiable and testable. Describe what is innovative about the proposed approach. Provide the proposed approach compared to alternate approaches other researchers in the field have taken. Discuss the relationship of the proposed research to the state-of-the-art knowledge in the field and to related efforts in programs elsewhere and discuss potential scientific breakthroughs. Include appropriate literature citations/references. Given the successful completion, describe the results, new knowledge, or insights. The Technical Approach section should include:

Future DoW Relevance: A description of potential DoW relevance and contributions of the effort to the agency’s specific mission.

Project Schedule and Milestones: A summary of the schedule of events and milestones.

Goals and Benchmarks: Describe the goals of the research and the benchmarks that will be used to measure the progress and success of those goals.

o Management Approach (included in page limit): Describe how and how often the Principal Investigator will communicate with the Co-Investigators, how data will be made available within the team, and how differences of opinion might be resolved. Describe the research and management responsibilities of the team members.

Describe plans for the research training of students. Include the number of time equivalent graduate students and undergraduates, if any, to be supported each year. Discuss the involvement of other students, if any.

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

o Data Management Plan (not included in page limit): All proposals generating scientific data are required to submit a data management plan. A data management plan is a document that describes which data generated through the course of the proposed research will be shared and preserved and how it will be done, explains why data sharing or preservation is not possible or scientifically appropriate, or why the costs of sharing or preservation are incommensurate with the value of doing so. See also: DoD Instruction 3200.12.

In no more than 2 pages, discuss the following:

o The types of data, software, and other materials to be produced.

o How the data will be acquired.

o…