Special Program Announcement for 2012 Office of Naval Research Research Opportunity Energetic Materials Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is this government funding opportunity?

This is a 2012 Special Program Announcement (Special Notice) from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Aerospace Science Research Division (Code 351). It focuses on advancing the Navy's Energetic Materials Program by encouraging research ideas and concepts in energetic materials and related technologies.

2. What is the main goal of the ONR Energetic Materials Program described here?

The stated purpose is to drive research that (1) improves energy per volume (more performance within the same or smaller size), (2) increases safety (reduced sensitivity and improved handling/insensitive munitions characteristics), and (3) lowers or controls cost (more affordable materials, processing methods, and scale-up approaches).

3. Is this Special Program Announcement itself the way to apply for funding?

No. The notice explicitly states that applicants should not apply under the Special Notice. The Special Notice is used to request and guide white paper submissions, while full proposals must be submitted under the ONR Broad Agency Announcement package ONRBAA12-001.

4. What should be submitted first: a white paper or a full proposal?

The initial step described is submission of a white paper following the Special Notice instructions. Any full proposal seeking award consideration must then be submitted through ONRBAA12-001 using that announcement's application instructions and required forms.

5. What topics or research areas does ONR say it is interested in for this announcement?

The technical scope is organized into four main topic areas: Energetic Ingredients, Propulsion, Reactive Materials, and Disruptive Technology.

6. What is included under the "Energetic Ingredients" topic area?

This area emphasizes the performance and safety tradeoff in energetic materials, specifically aiming for HMX-like performance while approaching TATB-like insensitivity. The notice indicates interest in approaches such as new molecules, co-crystals, formulations, additives, processing methods, and characterization techniques that can deliver high performance while reducing impact, shock, friction, or thermal sensitivity.

7. What is included under the "Propulsion" topic area?

The Propulsion area highlights needs such as replacing ammonium perchlorate (AP) in propellants, work related to solid rocket motor (SRM)-based systems, and development of new polymers (often meaning improved binders, plasticizers, or energetic polymer systems) to improve mechanical properties, processing, and performance while reducing hazards or environmental issues.

8. What is included under the "Reactive Materials" topic area?

This area targets materials engineered to release energy under specific stimuli or use cases. It emphasizes tunable reactivity, safety, and effectiveness, and includes concepts that can blend structural and energetic functions.

9. What is meant by the "Disruptive Technology" topic area?

Disruptive Technology is described as higher-risk, potentially game-changing concepts beyond incremental improvements. The notice gives examples such as Coulombic explosion and cluster materials, signaling interest in novel rapid energy release mechanisms, unconventional material architectures, and breakthrough ideas.

10. What should a white paper include according to this announcement?

The notice states that ONR is inviting white papers that describe relevant prior work, current research efforts, and forward-looking ideas that could address Navy needs in energetic materials and related technologies.

11. What is the official funding announcement for full proposal submissions?

Full proposals must be submitted under the ONR Broad Agency Announcement identified as ONRBAA12-001.

12. What happens if someone submits a full proposal under the Special Notice instead of ONRBAA12-001?

The notice explicitly instructs applicants not to apply under the Special Notice and states that full proposals must be submitted through ONRBAA12-001. Based on the notice, submitting a full proposal under the Special Notice would not follow the stated process for award consideration.

13. What type of funding is this listed as?

The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding.

14. What award instruments are mentioned?

The notice indicates that available instruments include grants and other procurement contracts.

15. What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is science and technology and other research and development.

16. What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 12.300, Basic and Applied Scientific Research.

17. Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.

18. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity). However, applicants are directed to ONRBAA12-001 for the controlling eligibility details and any additional conditions.

19. What are the key dates listed in the announcement?

The posting date is October 17, 2011. The closing date for full proposals under ONRBAA12-001 is December 23, 2011. The archive date is January 22, 2012.

20. Are late full proposals accepted?

The notice indicates that late full proposals may be considered only if agency time permits and if funding remains available, but it emphasizes that on-time submission is strongly preferred.

21. What are the basic next steps for an interested applicant?

The practical steps described are: (1) prepare and submit a white paper aligned to one or more of the four topic areas, following the Special Notice instructions; and (2) if encouraged or otherwise proceeding, submit a full proposal package through ONRBAA12-001 by the stated deadline.

22. Who is the point of contact if there are problems accessing the announcement electronically?

The listed point of contact is Joe Cloft, Contract Specialist, reachable at 703-696-0989. The notice also mentions grants.gov questions in connection with electronic access issues.

23. Which ONR organization is sponsoring this research focus?

The announcement is from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Aerospace Science Research Division (Code 351).

24. How does this announcement relate to energetic materials performance, safety, and cost?

The stated program drivers are to improve energy per volume (performance), increase safety through reduced sensitivity and improved handling/insensitive munitions characteristics, and lower or control cost through more affordable materials, processing, and scale-up.

25. Can a white paper address more than one topic area?

The notice frames the scope as four topic areas and directs interested parties to prepare a white paper aligned to one or more of those areas, implying that a white paper may align to multiple areas if relevant.