Office of Naval Research Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program

Overview

ONR seeks a broad range of applications for augmenting existing and/or developing innovative solutions that directly maintain and/or cultivate a diverse, world-class Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce to maintain the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ technological superiority. The goal of proposed efforts must provide solutions that establish, build, and/or maintain STEM educational pathways and workforce opportunities for diverse U.S. citizens directly relevant to ONR science and technology areas.

As the capacity of the Department of the Navy (DON) Science and Technology (S&T) workforce is interconnected with STEM education and outreach, ONR recognizes the need to support efforts that can jointly improve STEM student outcomes and align education and outreach efforts with Naval S&T
current and future workforce needs. This announcement explicitly encourages projects that improve the capacity of education systems and communities to create impactful STEM educational experiences for students of all ages and the naval-related workforce. Projects must aim to increase engagement in STEM, from students to the current workforce, and enhance people with needed Naval STEM skills, knowledge and abilities. ONR encourages applications to utilize current STEM educational research for informing project design and advancing STEM careers and opportunities of naval relevance.

This FOA is specifically seeking STEM education and outreach projects that address scientific and technical areas identified in the following thrust areas. Project scope may range in size and complexity. While not a formal requirement or program focus of this FOA, applicants are strongly encouraged to
consider under-represented and under-served populations including women and minorities in project plans. Special audience priority areas may include, but not be limited to, military connected students, veteran initiatives, and education systems integral to naval science and technology.

Specific items to be addressed are:

STEM interests in cybersecurity include:

• Increasing cyber awareness
• Promoting Cybersecurity as a profession.

The focus should be on leveraging smart mobile devices to educate and promote cybersecurity awareness for students in Grades 9 through 12. Solutions that can be used across the two major platforms (Android and iOS) are encouraged.

Proposed research should:

• Promote thinking, analyzing and solving cyber problems
• Allow for flexibility and creativity on the student interactions
• Be illustrative of cybersecurity professionals
• Examine how students think about cyber problems to further improve cyber training and education
• Scale up to national level

Proposed research that may be considered outside the scope of this thrust area include simple enhancements to existing platforms and broadcast tutorials, such as material on websites and videos. Point of Contact: Dr. Daniel P. Koller, Code 311, [email protected]

STEM interests supporting warfighter performance include:

• Human Physiology and Performance Medical and Biology
• Bio-centric Technologies
• Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy
• Training and Education
• Social and Cultural
• Command and Control

Point of Contact: Dr. Sandra Chapman, Code 342, [email protected]

ONR Global STEM interests include:

• Materials Engineering, in particular, corrosion
• Medical Sciences, Mental and Physical health
• Artificial intelligence
• Alternate Position Navigation & Time
• Self-paced software coding course for students in grades 6 through 12
• Courses to expose students to job opportunities available to computer programmers and software engineers

Point of Contact: Mr. Thomas J. Gallagher, Code 600, [email protected]

Naval Accelerator STEM interests include a broad range of STEM educational and training opportunities for career and workforce development, including but not limited to:

• STEM activities that promote Technology Transfer, such as education and training on patents.
• Development or modification of STEM courses with for the purposes of incorporating inclusivity (e.g., cultural diversity, gender diversity, contributions of underrepresented minorities) and accessibility (e.g., neurodiversity) in the teaching materials.
• Internships for veterans in STEM.
• National security innovation and entrepreneurial education programs to include: (1) Materials to recruit participants, including veterans and underrepresented groups; (2) Model curriculum; (3) Training materials (4) Best practices; (5) Experimental learning opportunities for program participants to interact with operational forces to better understand national security challenges.
• Coordinating and partnering with activities and organizations that employ Hacking for Defense, and related efforts

Point of contact: Dr. Arielle Miller, Code 036, [email protected]

ONR STEM interests include:

• Innovative new STEM areas with a strong focus on diversity, equity and/or inclusion.

Point of Contact: Mr. William H. Ellis JR, Code 311, [email protected]

• The funded amount and period of performance of each proposal selected for award may vary depending on the technology area and the technical approach to be pursued by the offeror selected.
• FOA proposals may be submitted at any time during this period. Selections for award will be made throughout this FOA open period of April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023.