Opportunity Information: Apply for ONR 15 BAA 0007
Apply for ONR 15 BAA 0007
- The Office of Naval Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Applied Research in Quantum Information Science" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.300 Basic and Applied Scientific Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 12, 2015 and posted on Dec 23, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 24, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $6,527,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION All responsible sources from academia and industry may submit proposals under this BAA. Inclusive of Small Business Concerns, Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Concerns, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Concerns, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Concerns, Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) Concerns, Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) Concerns, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are all highly encouraged to submit proposals as prime contractors and as well as join others (e.g., subcontractors) in submitting proposals. However, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for Small Businesses, HUBZones, SDVOSBs, SDBs, WOSBs, VOSBs or HBCU and MI participation, due to the desire to seek research ideas from all entities. 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 bidders are allowed so long as they are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC. Navy laboratories 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 shall not directly submit full proposals in response to this BAA. If any such organization is interested in one or more of the programs described herein, the organization shall contact an appropriate ONR POC to discuss its area of interest. The various scientific divisions of ONR are identified at http://www.onr.navy.mil/. As with FFRDCs, these types of federal organizations may team with other responsible sources from academia and industry that are submitting proposals under this BAA. University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) are eligible to submit proposals under this BAA unless precluded from doing so by their Department of Defense UARC contracts. Teams are also encouraged and may submit proposals in any and all 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. Some topics cover export controlled technologies. Research in these areas is limited to U.S. persons as defined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 22 CFR 1201.1 et seq. Cost sharing is not expected and will not be used as a factor during the merit review of any proposal hereunder. However, the Government may consider voluntary cost sharing if proposed.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) grant opportunity "Applied Research in Quantum Information Science" (Funding Opportunity Number ONR 15 BAA 0007) focuses on applied research (DoD budget category 6.2) aimed at making free space optical quantum key distribution (QKD) practical, secure, and high performing in a maritime environment. The core motivation is that most QKD security theory and experimental validation has been built around fiber-based links, which assume relatively stable, low-loss channels with minimal scattering. ONR is targeting the very different reality of over-water free space propagation, where the channel is time-varying and dispersive, where absorption and multiple scattering can be significant, and where moving platforms introduce pointing, tracking, synchronization, jitter, polarization stability, and other implementation issues that can directly impact both performance and security. In practical terms, ONR wants work that identifies and resolves the key operational and security barriers to running QKD between maritime platforms, and that matures the supporting technologies (for example, single-photon sources, detectors, and adaptive optics) needed to make those links viable.
A central theme of the announcement is the gap between the idealized, "unconditionally secure" framing of QKD and the real-world vulnerabilities that appear when systems are implemented with imperfect hardware and in non-ideal channels. ONR emphasizes that even in fiber systems, implementation imperfections have produced experimentally verified weaknesses, and that the maritime free space environment introduces additional classes of risk. The opportunity therefore prioritizes research that characterizes how the over-water channel and platform motion change the threat model, how eavesdropping could be detected (or might be harder to detect) under these conditions, and how security proofs and protocol assumptions should be revisited when the physical environment violates the simplifying assumptions used in many theoretical analyses. ONR is also explicitly interested in advancing understanding of what an attacker could accomplish when common security-proof assumptions are relaxed, rather than assuming a purely omnipotent eavesdropper with unlimited information, computation, and time.
To help anchor proposals, ONR provides a notional challenge problem: a free space optical QKD link between two surface platforms separated by roughly 30 km, with a desired key generation rate on the order of 100 Mb/s. Proposers are expected to develop and assess algorithms, protocols, and methods; quantify performance; and demonstrate capability in ways that reveal both benefits and limitations. The solicitation lays out six topical areas. Topic 1 calls for identifying vulnerabilities and potential attacks that arise specifically from time-varying maritime propagation, dispersion, and multiple scattering. Topic 2 seeks maturation and evaluation of both discrete-variable and continuous-variable QKD protocols suitable for maritime use, including new protocols that are easy to implement, minimize information leakage to the environment, and support low-overhead eavesdropper detection. Topic 3 targets methods to maximize the information carried per single particle (discrete-variable) or per packet (continuous-variable), including approaches that leverage or cope with precise timing and polarization constraints under motion and channel variability. Topic 4 asks whether signal processing or protocol-level techniques can reduce hardware burden, for example by relaxing stabilization, pointing and tracking, temporal synchronization, jitter control, and propagation control requirements. Topic 5 focuses on the security strategy for scaling from a well-characterized point-to-point free space link to broader networks that may include untrusted nodes. Topic 6 is a catch-all for other technical issues tied to the challenge problem, including clear arguments for what deficiencies in current technologies must be overcome.
From an administrative and eligibility standpoint, the opportunity is issued as a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) and may result in grants and/or procurement contracts, with no cost sharing required and voluntary cost sharing not used as a merit factor. Estimated total funding is listed as $6,527,000, with award floor and ceiling shown as $0 (typical for BAAs where exact award sizes vary by selected effort). The CFDA number is 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research). The posted date is December 23, 2014, with an original and current closing date of February 24, 2015, and an archive date of March 26, 2015. Eligible applicants include responsible sources from academia and industry, and ONR encourages participation from small businesses and various underrepresented or priority business categories (HUBZone, SDVOSB, SDB, WOSB, VOSB) as well as HBCUs and Minority Institutions, though no set-asides are provided. FFRDCs (including DOE national labs) are not eligible to receive awards directly but may participate through teaming arrangements with eligible primes if allowed by their sponsoring agreements. Navy labs and other government labs cannot submit as primes but may team with eligible proposers. UARCs may apply unless restricted by their existing DoD contracts. Offerors should also expect an integrated program environment where they may need to cooperate and exchange software, data, and related information with other contractors and ONR-selected system integrators.
The announcement also clarifies how ONR will handle publication and restrictions through the lens of DoD "contracted fundamental research" policy. In general, unclassified fundamental research (including BA1 basic research, and BA2 applied research performed on a university campus) is intended to be unrestricted in conduct and reporting, consistent with DoD guidance and NSDD-189, unless statutes, regulations, or executive orders apply. However, BA2 applied research not performed on a university campus, and BA6.3 advanced research, typically do not qualify as contracted fundamental research, and advanced technology development efforts may involve restrictions and pre-publication review due to sensitivity. Some topics may involve export-controlled technologies, in which case participation may be limited to U.S. persons under ITAR. Finally, ONR stresses that this BAA is for research and development and is not seeking technical or engineering support services under this announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Applied Research in Quantum Information Science (ONR 15 BAA 0007)
1) What is the name and identifier of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Applied Research in Quantum Information Science" and is issued by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The Funding Opportunity Number is ONR 15 BAA 0007.
2) What type of solicitation is this?
This opportunity is issued as a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). BAAs typically fund a range of research efforts where specific award amounts and numbers of awards can vary based on the selected proposals.
3) What is the main technical focus of the BAA?
The focus is applied research (DoD budget category 6.2) aimed at making free space optical quantum key distribution (QKD) practical, secure, and high performing in a maritime environment.
4) Why is ONR focusing on maritime free space QKD rather than fiber-based QKD?
Most QKD security theory and experimental validation has historically been built around fiber links, which tend to be relatively stable and low-loss with minimal scattering. Over-water free space propagation is different: the channel can be time-varying and dispersive, absorption and multiple scattering can be significant, and moving platforms introduce operational issues (pointing, tracking, synchronization, jitter, polarization stability) that affect both performance and security.
5) What kinds of real-world issues does ONR want research to address?
ONR highlights practical barriers such as time-varying maritime propagation, dispersion, absorption, multiple scattering, and platform-motion effects (pointing, tracking, synchronization, jitter, polarization stability). The goal is to identify and resolve key operational and security barriers and to mature enabling technologies needed for viable maritime links.
6) What is the relationship between "unconditionally secure" QKD theory and ONR's goals in this BAA?
A central theme is the gap between idealized security claims and vulnerabilities introduced by imperfect hardware and non-ideal channels. ONR emphasizes that even fiber QKD systems have shown experimentally verified weaknesses from implementation imperfections, and that the maritime free space environment can add additional classes of risk that must be characterized and mitigated.
7) Does the BAA emphasize security analysis under realistic assumptions?
Yes. ONR prioritizes research that revisits security proofs and protocol assumptions when the physical environment violates simplifying assumptions used in theoretical analyses, and it is explicitly interested in understanding what an attacker could accomplish when common security-proof assumptions are relaxed.
8) What is the notional "challenge problem" described in the announcement?
ONR provides a notional scenario: a free space optical QKD link between two surface platforms separated by roughly 30 km, with a desired key generation rate on the order of 100 Mb/s.
9) What are proposers expected to do relative to the challenge problem?
Proposers are expected to develop and assess algorithms, protocols, and methods; quantify performance; and demonstrate capability in ways that reveal both benefits and limitations.
10) What topical areas are included in the solicitation?
The BAA lays out six topical areas: (1) vulnerabilities and potential attacks from time-varying maritime propagation, dispersion, and multiple scattering; (2) maturation and evaluation of discrete-variable and continuous-variable QKD protocols suitable for maritime use (including new protocols that are easy to implement, minimize information leakage, and enable low-overhead eavesdropper detection); (3) methods to maximize information per single particle (discrete-variable) or per packet (continuous-variable), accounting for timing/polarization constraints under motion and channel variability; (4) signal processing or protocol techniques to reduce hardware burden by relaxing stabilization, pointing/tracking, synchronization, jitter control, and propagation control requirements; (5) security strategy for scaling from point-to-point links to broader networks that may include untrusted nodes; and (6) other technical issues tied to the challenge problem, including clear arguments about technology deficiencies that must be overcome.
11) Are both discrete-variable and continuous-variable QKD approaches in scope?
Yes. Topic 2 explicitly calls for maturation and evaluation of both discrete-variable and continuous-variable QKD protocols suitable for maritime use, and it also welcomes new protocols aligned with maritime implementation needs.
12) What types of enabling technologies are mentioned as important?
The announcement references maturing supporting technologies such as single-photon sources, detectors, and adaptive optics, as examples of technologies needed to make maritime free space QKD links viable.
13) Does ONR care about eavesdropper detection overhead and information leakage?
Yes. Topic 2 specifically mentions protocols that minimize information leakage to the environment and support low-overhead eavesdropper detection, reflecting an emphasis on practical security in a challenging physical environment.
14) Does the BAA include work on reducing hardware constraints via algorithms or protocols?
Yes. Topic 4 asks whether signal processing or protocol-level techniques can reduce hardware burden, including potentially relaxing stabilization, pointing and tracking, temporal synchronization, jitter control, and propagation control requirements.
15) Is network scaling and the use of untrusted nodes within scope?
Yes. Topic 5 focuses on security strategy for scaling from a well-characterized point-to-point free space link to broader networks that may include untrusted nodes.
16) What is the stated DoD research budget category for the work?
The BAA targets applied research in DoD budget category 6.2.
17) What is the estimated total funding amount listed?
The estimated total funding is listed as $6,527,000.
18) Are award sizes specified (minimum/maximum)?
The award floor and ceiling are shown as $0, which is typical for BAAs where exact award sizes vary depending on the selected effort and negotiated scope.
19) Is cost sharing required?
No cost sharing is required, and voluntary cost sharing is not used as a merit factor according to the announcement.
20) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number provided is 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research).
21) What are the key dates (posted, closing, archive)?
The posted date is December 23, 2014. The original and current closing date is February 24, 2015. The archive date is March 26, 2015.
22) Who is eligible to apply as a prime (lead) proposer?
Eligible applicants include responsible sources from academia and industry. The announcement also notes that UARCs may apply unless restricted by their existing DoD contracts.
23) Are small businesses and certain business categories encouraged?
Yes. ONR encourages participation from small businesses and from HUBZone, SDVOSB, SDB, WOSB, and VOSB categories, as well as HBCUs and Minority Institutions. The announcement also states that no set-asides are provided.
24) Can FFRDCs (including DOE national labs) receive awards directly?
No. FFRDCs (including DOE national labs) are not eligible to receive awards directly under this BAA, but they may participate through teaming arrangements with eligible prime proposers if permitted by their sponsoring agreements.
25) Can Navy labs or other government labs apply as primes?
No. Navy labs and other government labs cannot submit as primes, but they may team with eligible proposers.
26) Should offerors expect to collaborate with other awardees or integrators?
Yes. Offerors should expect an integrated program environment where they may need to cooperate and exchange software, data, and related information with other contractors and ONR-selected system integrators.
27) How does the announcement describe publication and research restrictions?
The BAA discusses publication and restrictions in the context of DoD "contracted fundamental research" policy. In general, unclassified fundamental research (including BA1 basic research, and BA2 applied research performed on a university campus) is intended to be unrestricted in conduct and reporting, consistent with DoD guidance and NSDD-189, unless statutes, regulations, or executive orders apply.
28) Are there circumstances where research may be restricted or require pre-publication review?
Yes. The announcement notes that BA2 applied research not performed on a university campus, and BA6.3 advanced research, typically do not qualify as contracted fundamental research. Advanced technology development efforts may involve restrictions and pre-publication review due to sensitivity.
29) Could export controls (ITAR) affect participation?
Yes. The BAA states that some topics may involve export-controlled technologies, and participation could be limited to U.S. persons under ITAR in those cases.
30) Is ONR seeking engineering or technical support services under this BAA?
No. ONR stresses that this BAA is for research and development and is not seeking technical or engineering support services under this announcement.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Estate Planning Services for American Indians and Alaska Natives
Previous opportunity: Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration (Short Title PBHCI)
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for ONR 15 BAA 0007
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ONR 15 BAA 0007) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Software Infrastructure for Sustained Innovation S2I2 Apply for 15 553 Funding Number: 15 553 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Cognitive Neuroscience Apply for PD 15 1699 Funding Number: PD 15 1699 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Prostate Cancer Dr. Barbara Terry Koroma Health Disparity Research Award Apply for W81XWH 15 PCRP HDRA Funding Number: W81XWH 15 PCRP HDRA Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 2013 Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative, Phragmites Symbios Collaborative and Coastal Science Strategy Apply for G13AC00099 Funding Number: G13AC00099 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,515,509 |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Clinical Trial Award Apply for W81XWH 15 PRORP CTA Funding Number: W81XWH 15 PRORP CTA Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| GENSETS SBIR/STTR Apply for DE FOA 0001380 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001380 Agency: Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,225,000 |
| Process Systems, Reaction Engineering and Molecular Thermodynamics Apply for PD 15 1403 Funding Number: PD 15 1403 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Energy for Sustainability Apply for PD 15 7644 Funding Number: PD 15 7644 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Science and Technology Projects Related to Coal Mining and Reclamation Apply for S16AS00005 Funding Number: S16AS00005 Agency: Office of Surface Mining Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research in the Formation of Engineers (RFE) Apply for PD 15 1340 Funding Number: PD 15 1340 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU Apply for 08HQPA0032 Funding Number: 08HQPA0032 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $380,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU Apply for 08HQPA0033 Funding Number: 08HQPA0033 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $425,000 |
| Technology Innovation Program Apply for 2008 TIP 01 Funding Number: 2008 TIP 01 Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advanced Materials and Fabrication for Coherent Superconducting Qubits Apply for W911NF 08 R 0011 Funding Number: W911NF 08 R 0011 Agency: Dept of the Army Materiel Command Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Simulation and Technology Assessment Apply for BAA VS 07 02 Funding Number: BAA VS 07 02 Agency: Air Force Research Lab Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Control Techniques for Responsive Space Uncertain Systems Call 0017 Apply for BAA VS 07 03 0017 Funding Number: BAA VS 07 03 0017 Agency: Air Force Research Lab Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,490,000 |
| Cultural Anthropology Apply for PD 98 1390 Funding Number: PD 98 1390 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Archaeology and Archaeometry Apply for PD 98 1391 Funding Number: PD 98 1391 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program Apply for 09 512 Funding Number: 09 512 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Development of a Research Plan for Reducing the Thermal Connectivity of Peltier Cooling Alloys Operating at 10 degrees Kelvin Apply for BAA VS 06 05 0013 Funding Number: BAA VS 06 05 0013 Agency: Air Force Research Lab Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $55,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "ONR 15 BAA 0007", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.