Long Range BAA for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the "Long Range BAA for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology"?

It is a discretionary grant solicitation from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to support science and technology research and development aligned with Navy and Marine Corps needs. It is issued as a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), which generally invites innovative research ideas across a broad set of technical areas rather than prescribing one narrowly defined project.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is ONRBAA14 001.

Which agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

What type of funding instrument is used?

This opportunity uses the grant funding instrument.

How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development activities.

What CFDA program is associated with this solicitation?

This opportunity is listed under CFDA 12.300, Basic and Applied Scientific Research.

What kinds of projects is ONR trying to fund through this BAA?

Projects that advance underlying scientific knowledge and applied research relevant to naval missions, specifically those aligned with Navy and Marine Corps science and technology needs. The detailed technical scope and topic areas are contained in the official BAA document rather than the brief listing.

Is this a narrowly defined program with one specific project requirement?

No. Because it is a BAA, it typically covers a wide range of technical areas and encourages innovative approaches, with the specific focus areas and expectations described in the official BAA document titled "ONRBAA14 001."

Where do I find the detailed technical topics and instructions?

The detailed technical scope, research focus areas, points of contact by topic, proposal formatting, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions are expected to be in the accompanying document titled "ONRBAA14 001." The listing also references ONR BAAs broadly, which suggests applicants may need to use ONR's BAA portal or library to locate the exact announcement and any related guidance.

What are the posted dates for this opportunity?

The announcement was posted on September 27, 2013. The listed closing date (original and current) is September 30, 2014. The archive date is October 30, 2014.

Is the closing date the only deadline that matters for a BAA?

Not necessarily. The listing notes that applicants should refer to the BAA itself or the application instructions for white paper due dates. BAAs often use rolling reviews, multiple submission windows, or recurring cutoffs, so the actionable due dates may be described in the BAA document.

Does this BAA require a white paper or pre-proposal?

The listing indicates that applicants should consult the BAA or application instructions for white paper due dates, and it notes that agencies often encourage an initial white paper or pre-proposal to assess relevance and potential before a full proposal is submitted. Any requirement (or encouragement) to submit a white paper should be confirmed in the official BAA document.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to clarifications in the formal BAA. Depending on topic-specific rules in the BAA, this could include universities, nonprofit research organizations, for-profit companies (including small businesses), federally funded research and development centers, and potentially individuals.

Are there any restrictions even though eligibility is "unrestricted"?

Possibly. The listing states eligibility is unrestricted but also notes that eligibility is subject to clarifications contained in the formal BAA document. Some topic areas may include additional conditions or limits, so applicants should confirm eligibility requirements in "ONRBAA14 001."

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement as a condition of receiving an award.

Can an applicant still propose voluntary cost share?

The listing does not require cost share, but it notes that voluntary cost share can sometimes be proposed depending on the nature of the project and the applicant's strategy. Any expectations or implications should be reviewed in the BAA terms and instructions.

How does ONR generally evaluate submissions under a long-range BAA?

The summary indicates that ONR long-range BAAs generally describe evaluation around scientific merit, relevance to Navy and Marine Corps missions, the qualifications of the team, feasibility, and transition potential of the work. The official BAA document is the authoritative source for evaluation factors and how they are applied.

Who is the point of contact for administrative or access questions?

The contact listed is Philip Eisenhaur, Contracting Officer.

Who should I contact for Grants.gov technical questions?

The listing specifies that Grants.gov questions should be directed to Grants.gov support.

Why is a Contracting Officer listed for a grant opportunity?

The listing notes this is typical for BAAs where applicants may need clarification on submission mechanics, eligibility interpretations, award terms, or where to locate and access the full announcement if they have trouble retrieving it electronically.

If the summary listing is brief, what should applicants rely on?

The summary makes clear that the actionable requirements (topics, deadlines like white paper cutoffs, formatting, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions) reside in the official BAA document titled "ONRBAA14 001," not in the brief listing.

What is the overall purpose of this opportunity in practical terms?

It functions as an umbrella solicitation for Navy and Marine Corps-relevant basic and applied research, with the detailed scope and submission requirements provided in the BAA document and related ONR BAA resources.