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

The Office of Naval Research (ONR), a component of the U.S. Department of the Navy, has issued a Special Program Announcement under its Long Range Broad Agency Announcement framework to support applied research in communications and networking technologies. This opportunity is part of a broader science and technology initiative intended to advance capabilities critical to naval operations. ONR plays a central role in funding innovative research that enhances the Navy and Marine Corps’ operational effectiveness, and this announcement specifically targets advancements that contribute to distributed maritime operations and the Naval Tactical Grid. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to develop and mature communications and networking technologies that enable reliable, secure, and high-performance connectivity across distributed naval forces. The program emphasizes solutions that address real-world operational constraints, including limited infrastructure, contested electromagnetic environments, mobility, and multi-domain operations spanning land, maritime, cyber, and space. The goal is to improve command and control capabilities by ensuring that mission-critical information can be transmitted efficiently and securely among dispersed units. The scope of funding includes applied research projects focused on specific technical areas such as long-range VHF-band data links, advanced antenna systems, low probability-of-detection communications, distributed network control techniques, and predictive network algorithms. While these focus areas are prioritized, ONR remains open to innovative concepts that align with broader communications and networking needs of the Navy and Marine Corps. Projects are expected to demonstrate measurable improvements in throughput, resilience, and quality-of-service for operational environments. Funding will be provided through grants or contracts, with an anticipated award size ranging from 250000 to 500000 dollars per year. The period of performance may span one to three years, allowing for multi-year research efforts. The program anticipates making approximately five to six awards, though this number may vary depending on available funding and proposal quality. There is no stated matching requirement, and funding decisions will be based on technical merit, relevance to naval missions, and potential impact. Eligibility is broadly defined, as is typical for Broad Agency Announcements, and includes a wide range of entities such as academic institutions, private industry, nonprofit organizations, and other qualified research performers. Large organizations are required to submit subcontracting plans that include small business participation. Small businesses are also encouraged to engage as subcontractors and may submit their interest for collaboration through ONR’s outreach mechanisms. The application process includes an optional but strongly encouraged white paper submission, followed by a full proposal stage for selected or interested applicants. White papers are limited to five pages and must outline the technical concept, naval relevance, operational utility, and evaluation approach. Submissions are made through the ONR portal, while full proposals may be submitted via Grants.gov or other specified channels depending on award type. Oral presentations may be requested for proposals deemed of particular value. Key dates structure the timeline for this opportunity. White papers are recommended by July 31, 2026, with feedback expected by August 14, 2026. Oral presentations are tentatively scheduled for September 10, 2026. Full proposals are due by November 16, 2026, with funding decisions anticipated by October 5, 2026 and awards expected around April 15, 2027. The program follows a recurring pattern aligned with fiscal year research cycles, and applicants are encouraged to monitor future announcements for subsequent opportunities.

Emphasize naval operational relevance, clearly define measurable technical advancements, and align proposals with stated focus areas while demonstrating feasibility and impact