The Office of Naval Research (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.
STEM education programs and activities that could be supported by this FOA include one or more of the following as the primary objective:
- Develop learners' knowledge, skill, or interest in STEM.
- Attract students to pursue certifications, licenses, or degrees (two-year degrees through post- doctoral degrees) or careers in STEM fields.
- Provide growth and research opportunities for post-secondary, college and graduate students in STEM fields, such as working with researchers or conducting research that is primarily intended to further education.
- Improve mentor/educator (K-12 pre-service or in-service, post-secondary, and informal) quality in STEM areas.
- Improve or expand the capacity of institutions to promote or foster STEM fields
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 seeking STEM education and outreach projects that address scientific and technical areas identified to ONR. 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.
Previously awarded programs can be viewed here: https://www.nre.navy.mil/education-outreach/naval-stem/grant-abstracts
Applicants are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to contact the appropriate point of contact for each specific technical area to discuss their STEM proposal. Relevant POCs can be found in the Contact section of each of the five ONR Departments, found here: https://www.nre.navy.mil/organization/departments
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. The primary basis for selecting proposals for acceptance will be technical merit, importance to agency programs, and fund availability. Cost realism and reasonableness will also be considered when selecting proposals. Applicant's proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria defined by the thrust area point of contact.
Criteria 1, 2, and 3 are equally important.
Proposals will not be evaluated against each other since they are not submitted in accordance with a common work statement. ONR's intent is to review all proposals received as soon as possible after they arrive.