FY25 ONR Office Of Naval Research (ONR) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics(STEM) Education and Workforce Program

The Office of Naval Research (ONR), under the Department of the Navy, has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) identified as N0001425SF006 for the fiscal year 2025. This NOFO supports science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce development initiatives. The program seeks to foster interest and capability in STEM disciplines through both formal and informal educational activities. The intent is to increase student interest in STEM pathways and to support the professional development of educators and institutional capabilities that promote STEM fields. This amendment (Amendment 1) corrects the technical proposal page limit, raising it to 25 pages, excluding cover pages and references. ONR’s STEM education program is aligned with the Department of Defense's strategic goal to enhance the STEM workforce pipeline. Proposed activities may include curriculum development, mentorship programs, and research opportunities for students, especially at the post-secondary level. Importantly, ONR emphasizes that while research activities are generally excluded, they will consider research projects that primarily serve educational purposes and do not generate intellectual property. The program particularly encourages proposals that demonstrate potential relevance to Naval missions or the broader Department of the Navy. Applications will be accepted from a wide range of institutions, including accredited colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities. Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), military universities, and Department of Defense labs are excluded from applying, although they may participate through subawards if their parent agreements allow. There is no limit on the number of applications a single organization may submit. Cost sharing is not mandatory and will not be considered during merit review, though voluntary cost sharing may be acknowledged. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov using the SF-424 (R&R) and associated forms. The full proposal must follow specified formatting guidelines, including 12-point Times New Roman font, single spacing, and 1-inch margins. The proposal must include a technical narrative, management approach, principal investigator qualifications, and details on facilities and equipment. White papers are optional and not required for submission. All documents must be in PDF format and must not be password protected or contain macros. Submissions are due no later than June 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. The funding opportunity opens on July 7, 2025, and remains active until it closes or is replaced. The opportunity is recurring annually. The proposal review process emphasizes scientific and technical merit, Naval relevance, and availability of funds. Evaluation will be performed by ONR staff and potentially by authorized contractors under non-disclosure agreements. No award is final until a Grants Officer signs the official award document. For technical questions, applicants may contact Mr. William Ellis Jr. at william.h.ellis.civ@us.navy.mil. For grants submission questions, contact Veronica Lacey at veronica.y.lacey.civ@us.navy.mil. Applicants are advised to begin registration processes (including SAM and Grants.gov) well in advance and to submit proposals early to avoid technical issues. All proposals must meet federal guidelines including those pertaining to lobbying, conflict of interest, use of animals or human subjects in research, and export control.

Applicants should register in SAM and Grants.gov early and submit well before the deadline.