FY26 Communications and Networking Applied Research
This funding opportunity is designed to support researchers and organizations developing advanced communication and networking technologies to enhance the operational capabilities of the Navy and Marine Corps.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has released a Special Program Announcement under the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) N0001425SB001, titled “FY26 Communications and Networking Applied Research.” This funding opportunity falls under the Communications and Networking technology area and aims to support the Navy and Marine Corps’ science and technology needs. The purpose of this specific announcement is to draw the scientific community’s attention to research areas critical for developing robust communications and network technologies to support distributed maritime operations. The main objective is to advance technologies that enable seamless, high-throughput, and reliable communications among widely dispersed naval, joint, and coalition forces. This effort supports the Navy's Information Warfare strategy by ensuring that warfighters, from tactical to operational levels, have timely access to mission-critical data. Focus areas include atomic sensor receivers for very low-frequency communication, energy-efficient communication protocols for unmanned systems, low probability-of-detection communications, distributed network control techniques, and predictive algorithms for network behavior and traffic engineering. ONR also welcomes innovative ideas beyond these areas that hold strategic value for naval communications. White papers are not mandatory but strongly encouraged and are limited to five pages, excluding the cover, references, and investigator resumes. The submission must describe the technical concept, future naval relevance, operational concept, assessment plan, and a rough cost estimate. White papers must be submitted via the ONR Submission Portal no later than July 11, 2025. Evaluations will be communicated by July 25, 2025, and selected applicants may be invited for oral presentations on August 14, 2025. Notification for full proposal submission is expected by August 29, 2025. Full proposals are due by September 26, 2025, and must be submitted through appropriate platforms depending on whether the application is for a grant or a contract. ONR anticipates awarding 5 to 6 projects, each ranging between $250,000 to $500,000 per year. The project duration can span one to three years, and funding decisions will be finalized by October 17, 2025, with award notifications expected by April 15, 2026. Applicants with questions must direct them to the provided technical or business points of contact via email. For small businesses interested in subcontracting opportunities, ONR offers a facilitation process to connect with potential prime contractors. Interested businesses should email specific details, including a technology description and keywords, to the ONR Small Business Director for potential posting on the ONR website.
Award Range
$250,000 - $500,000
Total Program Funding
Not specified
Number of Awards
6
Matching Requirement
No
Additional Details
ONR plans 5-6 awards with 1-3 year periods. Both lower and higher budgets will be considered.
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
All responsible sources from academia, industry and the research community worldwide may submit proposals under this BAA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals; however, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCUs/MIs, small businesses or other socio-economic participation. All businesses, both small and large, are encouraged to submit proposals and compete for funding consideration.Federally Funded Research Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy National Laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this BAA. However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal Offerors are allowed so long as such arrangements are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC.Navy laboratories, military universities and warfare centers as well as other Department of Defense and civilian agency laboratories are also not eligible to receive awards under this BAA and should not directly submit either white papers or full proposals in response to this BAA. If any such organization is interested in one or more of the programs described herein, the organization should contact an appropriate ONR Technical POC to discuss its area of interest.University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) are eligible to submit proposals under this BAA unless precluded from doing so by their Department of Defense UARC contract.Teams are also encouraged and may submit proposals in any areas; however, Offerors must be willing to cooperate and exchange software, data and other information in an integrated program with other contractors, as well as with system integrators, selected by ONR.Disclosures of current and pending support made in this application may render an applicant ineligible for funding. Prior to award and throughout the period of performance, DoD may continue to request updated continuing and pending support information, which will be reviewed and may result in discontinuation of funding.
Geographic Eligibility
All
White papers are encouraged but not mandatory; high-value concepts may be invited for oral presentations; proposals can still be submitted even if white papers are not selected
Next Deadline
July 11, 2025
White Paper Submission
Application Opens
May 29, 2025
Application Closes
September 26, 2025
Grantor
Stephen Hughes
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