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FAQs: Office of Naval Research (ONR) BAA ONRBAA13-007

What is this ONR funding opportunity about?

This Office of Naval Research (ONR) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), numbered ONRBAA13-007, seeks proposals that strengthen and sustain the United States STEM workforce by creating innovative, high-impact STEM education and outreach solutions. The stated emphasis is on "game changing" approaches that help build and maintain a diverse pipeline of U.S. citizens who engage with Naval STEM education programs and, over time, are more likely to pursue STEM careers.

Are there different focus areas within this BAA?

Yes. The BAA describes two distinct areas: (1) STEM education and outreach solutions intended to improve participation, persistence, and workforce readiness, and (2) a separate area focused on rigorous evaluation of Naval STEM programs, including methods for data collection, analysis, reporting, performance metrics, and return on investment (ROI) approaches.

What kinds of projects fit the STEM education and outreach area?

Projects should propose innovative, high-impact education and outreach solutions tied to measurable improvements in participation, persistence, and workforce readiness. The opportunity highlights building a diverse pipeline of U.S. citizens engaged with Naval STEM education programs and becoming more likely to pursue STEM careers over time, with relevance to Navy and broader national STEM needs.

What kinds of projects fit the evaluation area?

The evaluation area is centered on creating or applying rigorous methods and processes to collect data, analyze it, and report results so program leaders can understand what is working, for whom, and why. This can include developing or implementing evaluation frameworks, performance metrics, and approaches for calculating ROI, with the goal of helping decision-makers prioritize programs and resources based on evidence of outcomes and impact.

Does ONR specify which education levels can be addressed?

Yes. Proposed projects may focus on one or more education levels, specifically K-12, undergraduate, and graduate STEM education.

How should applicants demonstrate impact in education/outreach proposals?

Proposals are expected to clearly connect planned activities to measurable improvements in participation, persistence, and workforce readiness, particularly in ways relevant to Navy and broader national STEM needs.

What does "game changing" mean in the context of this opportunity?

The BAA uses "game changing" to describe approaches that are innovative and high-impact, aimed at strengthening and sustaining the STEM workforce by building and maintaining a diverse pipeline of U.S. citizens engaged with Naval STEM education programs and ultimately increasing the likelihood of STEM career pursuit.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) listing referenced is CFDA 12.330, associated with STEM Education, Outreach and Workforce.

How much funding is expected to be available overall?

The estimated total funding available is $3,000,000.

What are the anticipated award sizes?

Anticipated award sizes range from $25,000 (floor) to $200,000 (ceiling).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. Cost sharing or matching is not required.

What funding mechanisms might ONR use for awards under this BAA?

This opportunity is described as discretionary funding and may be awarded through multiple mechanisms, including cooperative agreements, grants, procurement contracts, and other arrangements depending on the nature of the work.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, small businesses, other for-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education when relevant), and Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations.

Does the BAA suggest partnerships are allowed or encouraged?

The eligibility description is broad and indicates ONR is open to a wide range of potential performers, suggesting that partnerships combining education providers, researchers, evaluators, and industry may be appropriate for delivering scalable STEM pathways and credible evaluation systems.

Are applicants required to submit a white paper first?

Yes. The submission process is structured around a white paper gate: applicants must first submit a white paper for review, and only those whose white papers are invited forward may submit a full proposal for consideration.

Can an applicant submit a full proposal without being invited after the white paper?

No. Based on the described process, only applicants invited forward after white paper review may submit a full proposal.

Where do applicants find the specific white paper due dates?

Applicants are directed to the BAA itself for the specific white paper due dates.

What are the key dates mentioned in the posting?

The posting indicates it was originally posted on December 21, 2012, with closing windows extending into late 2013. For exact deadlines (including white paper due dates), the BAA should be consulted.

Is there an ONR contact for administrative or submission-related questions?

Yes. Administrative support is referenced through ONR contact information, including a grants management specialist who can help with accessing the full announcement and Grants.gov-related questions.

What is the primary purpose of the evaluation track in practical terms?

In practice, the evaluation track supports the infrastructure of assessment by building methodologies that can be applied across current and future Naval STEM efforts to improve accountability, learning, and strategic planning.

What kinds of evaluation outputs does ONR appear to value?

Based on the description, ONR values clear, rigorous data collection and analysis processes, reporting that explains what is working and why, and tools such as evaluation frameworks, performance metrics, and ROI approaches that help leaders make evidence-based program and resource decisions.

Does this opportunity require projects to be tied specifically to Navy workforce needs?

The BAA emphasizes workforce readiness relevant to Navy and broader national STEM needs, so proposals should make that relevance clear when connecting activities to measurable improvements.

Is the opportunity limited to U.S. citizens?

The program emphasis is on building and maintaining a diverse pipeline of U.S. citizens who engage with Naval STEM education programs and are more likely to pursue STEM careers over time.

Is this opportunity strictly for schools and universities?

No. While public and private institutions of higher education and independent school districts are eligible, the eligibility list also includes small businesses, other for-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations (including those without 501(c)(3) status, with the noted exclusion language when relevant), and Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations.

Is the BAA focused only on creating new programs, or can it also support assessing existing programs?

The BAA includes a distinct evaluation area that is explicitly about evaluating Naval STEM programs through rigorous methods, metrics, and ROI approaches, which aligns with assessing and improving existing and future efforts.

What should applicants do first if they want to pursue this opportunity?

Applicants should review the BAA to confirm specific white paper due dates and requirements, then prepare and submit a white paper for initial review, since only invited applicants may proceed to a full proposal.