Science,Technology, Engineering & Mathematic (STEM), Education and Workforce Program

Overview

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is interested in receiving a broad range of proposals 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 of U.S. citizens directly relevant to the needs of Department of Navy’s (DON) current and future workforce. As the capacity of the DON Science and Technology (S&T) workforce is interconnected with the STEM education system, DON recognizes the need to support efforts that can jointly improve STEM student outcomes and align educational and outreach efforts with Naval S&T current and future workforce needs.

This announcement explicitly encourages programs 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. Programs must aim to increase engagement in naval relevant STEM, and enhance the corresponding skills, knowledge, and abilities of participants. ONR encourages applicants to utilize current STEM educational research for informing program design and advancing STEM careers and opportunities of naval relevance.

While this announcement is relevant for any stage of the STEM educational system, funding efforts will be targeted primarily toward projects addressing the below communities or any combination of these communities:

• Secondary education communities;
• Post-Secondary communities;
• Informal science communities; and/or
• Current Naval STEM workforce communities.

Project scope may range in size and complexity. Projects that are already established with prior funding sources or have established stakeholder partnerships are especially encouraged to consider the following scope areas:

• Develop and implement exploratory pilot projects that seek to create new educational experiences within educational and training communities.
• Develop larger cohesive STEM education and training activities that strengthen the capacity of regional communities and stakeholders to improve STEM education and training.
• Establish meetings with stakeholders that must seek to connect relevant people and organizations to explicitly develop broader projects for affecting entire communities.

The technical content of any idea must establish naval relevance within the priority areas as outlined in the “Naval Research and Development Framework and Addendum,” https://www.onr.navy.mil/our-research/naval-research-framework. Broad priority areas are as follows:

• Augmented Warfighter
• Integrated & Distributed Forces
• Operational Endurance
• Sensing & Sense-Making
• Scalable Lethality

Applicants should consider the diversity-equity-inclusion (DEI) of proposed programs. We encourage applicants to engage with communities underrepresented in STEM, and work to develop programs that include outreach to and inclusion of participants in those communities. Outreach to underrepresented communities and inclusion of underrepresented individuals will be one of the criteria used to evaluate programs.

Eligible applicants under this FOA are encouraged to form partnerships with Naval STEM Stakeholder Organizations (NSSO) and/or other naval organizations when possible. NSSO carry out localized and community education and outreach efforts (SECNAVINST 3900.45A). NSSOs and/or other naval organizations have the option to partner if it is in the best interest of the DON. With regard to white paper submissions: Applicants should identify potential NSSOs and identify how they would go about identifying and arranging partnerships with NSSOs in their submission. Such partnerships shall not include any funding or similar fee to flow through an awardee to an NSSO.

Proposals for supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new Federal awards under this FOA. Grants do not include the delivery of software, prototypes, and other hardware deliverables.

Applicants are encouraged to understand the significant reorganization of STEM funding across the Federal government. Applicants seeking to improve general national STEM performance rather than a focus on naval workforce needs, and particularly efforts aimed at the P/K-9 levels, are encouraged to seek funding from one of the designated lead agencies: The Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, or the Smithsonian Institution.

ONR intends to award up to 10 grants with a maximum of $200,000 per year for up to 3 years. Cost sharing is not expected and will not be used as a factor during the merit review of any application hereunder. However, the Government may consider voluntary cost sharing if proposed.

Deadlines

• White Paper Inquiries and Questions 08 April 2022 (Friday)
• White Papers must be received no later than15 April 2022 (Friday) at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
• Invited Application Inquiries and Questions 26 August 2022 (Friday)
• Invited Applications must be received no later than 02 September 2022 (Friday) at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
• Notification of Selection for Award 11/15/22
• Start Date of Grant 02/15/23