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science_technology_and_other_research_and_development · DOD-ONR

Special Program Announcement for Office of Naval Research Research Opportunity: FY27 Communications and Networking Applied Research

Office of Naval Research · N0001426SBC11

86 days left

Award Range

$250K$500K

Expected Awards

6

Deadline

November 16, 2026

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

ONR funds 6 research grants ($250K-$500K each) for communications and networking technologies for Naval operations in contested environments.

Who Should Apply

Universities, defense contractors, and research labs with military communications and RF expertise.

Who Should NOT Apply

Consumer electronics, software-only firms, non-defense researchers.

Key Requirements (Plain English)

  • Must develop comms/networking tech for Navy
  • 6 awards of $250K-$500K
  • Must address contested environments
  • No cost-sharing required

💡 GrantQuick Tip

Think cognitive radio, resilient mesh networks, covert low-probability-of-intercept systems. Contact the program officer first.

Competitiveness: Moderate — 6 awards in defense communications.

What This Grant Funds

The proposed topic will develop and mature Communications and Networking technologies for Naval operations.

Background:

A Design for Maritime Superiority (2018) describes an operational architecture for distributed maritime operations (DMO) that "... will provide accurate, timely, and analyzed information to units, warfighting groups, and fleets." A critical component of this architecture is the Naval Tactical Grid (NTG) to connect distributed units into groups and distributed groups into fleets.

Communications and networking technologies that can provide seamless, robust, connectivity are key enablers for the NTG. These technologies will be deployed on a variety of platforms, both manned and unmanned, operating under challenging environmental and operational warfare conditions (lack of infrastructure, mobility, spectrum limitations, interference, multipath, atmospherics, jamming, electronic intercept, size/weight/power constraint, etc.) in different domains (land, maritime [includes both surface and undersea], cyber, and space). Successful

Command and Control (C2) and decision making, at all levels of command, for DMO is critically dependent on these communications and networking technologies

Attachments

Who Can Apply

All responsible sources from academia, industry and the research community worldwide may submit proposals under this BAA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals; however, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCUs/MIs, small businesses or other socio-economic participation. All businesses, both small and large, are encouraged to submit proposals and compete for funding consideration. Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy National Laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this BAA. However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal Offerors are allowed so long as such arrangements are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC. Navy laboratories, military universities and warfare centers as well as other Department of Defense and civilian agency laboratories are also not eligible to receive awards under this BAA and should not directly submit either white papers or full proposals in response to this BAA. If any such organization is interested in one or more of the programs described herein, the organization should contact an appropriate ONR Technical POC to discuss its area of interest. University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) are eligible to submit proposals under this BAA unless precluded from doing so by their Department of Defense UARC contract. Teams are also encouraged and may submit proposals in any areas; however, Offerors must be willing to cooperate and exchange software, data and other information in an integrated program with other contractors, as well as with system integrators, selected by ONR. 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.

Eligible Applicant Types

Other (see NOFO for details)

Funding Details

Minimum Award
$250K
Maximum Award
$500K
Expected Number of Awards
6
Cost Sharing Required?
No
Funding Instrument
grant

Key Dates

Posted: June 16, 2026
Application Deadline: November 16, 2026 (86 days remaining)

Agency Contact

Stephen Hughes Grantor

stephen.t.hughes.civ@us.navy.mil

Ready to apply?

View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov