ONR FY27 NOFO for Young Investigator Program

The Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program is a federal research funding opportunity designed to identify and support exceptionally promising early-career academic scientists and engineers. Established in 1985, the program seeks investigators who can contribute over the long term to the advancement of the Department of the Navy Science and Technology program. Its objectives include attracting outstanding faculty at U.S. institutions of higher education and qualified U.S. nonprofit organizations to naval research, supporting innovative research, encouraging teaching and research careers, and developing the next generation of scientists and engineers. Proposed work must address basic or applied research areas of interest to ONR and should be highly innovative, with the potential to contribute to U.S. national security and warfighter capabilities. ONR intends to make up to 25 awards with total available funding of 18.75 million dollars. Typical individual awards are 750,000 dollars over a 36-month period, and applicants may request up to 250,000 dollars for each 12-month interval. Funds may be budgeted for reasonable costs associated with conducting the proposed research, including investigator summer salary, graduate student support, supplies, and applicable indirect costs. No fee or profit is permitted under assistance agreements. Cost sharing is not expected and will not be used as a merit-review factor, although the Government may consider voluntary cost sharing when proposed. ONR expects no more than five awards to be made per Science and Technology Department. Eligible applicant organizations are U.S. institutions of higher education that award degrees in science, engineering, or mathematics and U.S. nonprofit organizations operating primarily for scientific and educational services. The Principal Investigator must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident as of the proposal deadline, must hold a first or second full-time tenure-track or tenure-track-equivalent faculty position, and must have received a PhD or equivalent degree on or after January 1, 2019. Tenured faculty and previous ONR Young Investigator Program award recipients are ineligible. A Principal Investigator may submit only one application, the award is structured as a single-PI award, and co-PIs are not permitted. Applicants must submit at least one Letter of Support from an appropriate university or nonprofit official demonstrating the organization's long-term commitment to the investigator and research. Proposals must identify a primary ONR Science and Technology Focus Area, with an optional secondary focus area, and explain the proposed research's Naval relevance. Supported areas span Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy; C5ISR and Naval Space; Directed Energy and Kinetic Systems; Materials and Electronics; Human and Biological Systems; Manufacturing; Naval Engineering; Naval Aerospace; Ocean, Atmosphere, and Space; Power and Energy; and Undersea Systems. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate ONR Program Officer before submitting to discuss research ideas and alignment with ONR priorities. White papers are not solicited and will not be accepted. The technical proposal is limited to 20 pages, excluding specified components such as the cover page, table of contents, full CV, Data Management Plan, Letters of Support, cited references, and current and pending support. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Applicant organizations must have an active SAM registration, valid UEI, CAGE Code, current representations and certifications, and an authorized Grants.gov account and organizational profile. Required proposal materials include the SF-424 Research and Related forms, project summary or abstract, technical proposal, technical approach, Naval relevance discussion, schedule and milestones, goals and benchmarks, Gold Standard Science discussion, management approach, PI qualifications, full CV, at least one Letter of Support, responsibility information, Data Management Plan, bibliography and references, facilities and equipment information, Research and Related Budget, detailed budget justification, Senior/Key Person Profile information, current and pending support, and Personal Data form. Required attachments must be submitted as PDF files, cannot contain macros, and cannot be password protected. Proposals are evaluated on technical merit, Naval Science and Technology priorities, the Principal Investigator's past performance and experience as demonstrated through the full CV, the required Letter of Support, and budget. These five criteria are equally important. Cost realism and reasonableness are also considered as appropriate. Technical review considers innovation, soundness of the technical concept, understanding of the state of the art, significance and originality, anticipated scientific impact, investigator capabilities, facilities, techniques, and qualifications of critical personnel. Government scientific experts conduct the evaluation, and recommendations are forwarded for cost analysis, applicant responsibility review, confirmation of available funds, and other pre-award requirements. Recommendation for award does not guarantee that an award will ultimately be made. Questions regarding programmatic matters or eligibility should be directed to YIP Program Manager Reginald G. Williams at ONRYIP@navy.mil, while proposal-submission questions may be directed to Grants Officer Veronica Lacey at veronica.y.lacey.civ@us.navy.mil. Eligibility and technical questions are due by October 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, and questions for the Grants Officer regarding proposal submission are due by October 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Applications must be received through Grants.gov no later than October 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. ONR strongly recommends submission at least two business days before the deadline. Notification of selection for award is anticipated on February 16, 2027, and the anticipated grant start date is April 1, 2027. The expected period of performance is three years.

Contact the appropriate ONR Program Officer before submission to improve alignment with the relevant research area. Clearly identify the primary ONR S&T Focus Area and explain Naval relevance. Emphasize innovation, technical merit, prior accomplishments, and institutional long-term commitment because technical merit, Naval S&T priorities, CV/past performance, letter of support, and budget are equally important. Include at least one strong institutional Letter of Support or the application is incomplete. Follow the 20-page technical proposal limit and PDF attachment requirements, include the Program Officer Code, and submit at least two business days early to allow time for corrections.