NRL Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Basic and Applied Research

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), the corporate research laboratory for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, has released a Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) identified as N00173-24-S-BA01. This BAA supports basic and applied scientific research across a comprehensive range of science and engineering disciplines, with the aim of enhancing the operational capabilities of the Navy and Marine Corps. The NRL conducts multidisciplinary research, both within its own facilities and in collaboration with academic institutions and industry, to address evolving technological challenges in maritime and national security. The BAA serves as a standing opportunity to solicit white papers and, upon invitation, full proposals for research efforts aligned with the strategic priorities of the Department of Defense. The program covers a wide spectrum of research domains organized by NRL’s directorates: the Systems Directorate (Code 5000), the Materials Science and Component Technology Directorate (Code 6000), the Ocean and Atmospheric Science and Technology Directorate (Code 7000), and the Naval Center for Space Technology (Code 8000). Research topics range from high-frequency radar, electromagnetic warfare, and distributed computing to plasma science, seafloor studies, atmospheric modeling, and space systems technology. Each area of interest includes detailed topic summaries and specific technical points of contact to whom white papers must be submitted. Funding is discretionary and competitive, with the total award amount and period of performance determined based on the specific project scope. Awards may take the form of grants, cooperative agreements, contracts, or other transaction authorities (OTAs), and may support fundamental or applied research, depending on the research environment and activity classification. While cost sharing is generally not required, it may be expected for awards under specific OTA mechanisms. The anticipated award instruments may not permit fee or profit. The application process requires submission of a white paper via email to the designated topic POC. If the white paper is deemed of interest, the applicant may be invited to submit a full proposal with additional instructions provided at that time. White papers and proposals must follow strict formatting and content guidelines, including detailed technical concepts, cost estimates, and, if applicable, classified submission protocols. Unsolicited proposals will not be accepted without invitation following white paper evaluation. Evaluation criteria include technical merit, relevance to NRL and Department of the Navy missions, and availability of funds. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis and evaluated by NRL scientific experts. Submissions may be deemed ineligible for funding if the applicant hosts a Confucius Institute or fails to comply with DoD integrity and performance standards. Security, export control, and research ethics compliance (e.g., for human subjects or biological research) may apply depending on the proposal content. This BAA remains open for white paper submission through September 30, 2026, with formal proposals accepted only by invitation. The program anticipates recurring cycles of review and may continue under future BAA numbers. The original application window opened on March 1, 2024. Applicants are advised to submit white papers early due to the rolling review process and to allow one month for confirmation of receipt. Further information, including research topic descriptions and submission procedures, is available through NRL’s contracting website and Grants.gov.