FY25 Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology

The Office of Naval Research (ONR), together with ONR Global (ONRG) and the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL), has issued this Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to support science and technology projects that may advance the missions of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The program operates under competitive, merit-based procedures outlined in federal acquisition regulations and the Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations. This BAA remains open for approximately two years from the publication date and replaces prior ONR announcements, extending opportunities for research partnerships in diverse technical fields. The ONR plays a critical role in discovering, developing, and delivering innovative technology to enhance naval capabilities. Its technology portfolio includes a wide array of scientific and engineering disciplines, all available for review through ONR’s published research areas. The scope of this BAA includes basic research, applied research, and advanced technology development, with potential extensions into advanced component development and prototypes when relevant. NavalX and its Tech Bridge network further complement this initiative by engaging small businesses and startups in agile innovation processes, while ONR Global fosters international collaborations to prevent technological surprise and support long-term naval superiority. Awards under this program may be issued as contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transaction agreements. Each instrument type has specific rules regarding substantial government involvement, cost sharing, and allowability of profit. For example, OTAs may include a 50/50 cost share where practicable, while grants and cooperative agreements prohibit profit. Model contracts, grants, and related templates are available through ONR websites to guide applicants. Proposal submissions must follow designated formats, including a non-proprietary statement of work and technical documentation, with strong encouragement to provide initial white papers before full proposals. Eligible applicants include all responsible sources from academia, industry, nonprofits, and international research organizations, with special encouragement for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions. However, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, Department of Energy national laboratories, and Navy laboratories are not eligible to directly apply, though teaming arrangements with eligible partners are permissible. Cost sharing is generally not required, though voluntary contributions may be considered. Subcontracting opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses are strongly promoted for contract awards. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or the ONR Submission Portal, depending on the instrument type. White papers and full proposals require specific formatting, and electronic systems enforce file restrictions to ensure acceptance. All applicants must be registered in SAM and maintain valid entity identifiers. Classified proposals are permissible but require additional handling. Application evaluation is based on scientific merit, naval relevance, and funds availability, with additional risk reviews including foreign influence assessments. Final decisions rest with ONR’s technical experts and contracting officers. Contact points include ONR technical program officers for specific research areas, ONR Global science directors for international collaborations, and designated officers for contracts, grants, and security matters. This BAA will accept proposals through September 30, 2026, or until replaced by a successor announcement. Awards are contingent on available funding and compliance with requirements related to research protections, export control, and integrity. The recurring nature of this opportunity allows researchers to anticipate annual and rolling calls for specific research topics within the overarching BAA framework.