Funder: NSWC Dahlgren
Due Dates: October 14, 2025 (Full proposals) | Rolling (White papers)
Funding Amounts: $2,500–$3,500,000 per award (base + 2 option years possible); average FY24 award: $450,000; no cost sharing required.
Summary: Supports university-led research and capstone projects in priority naval technology areas including hypersonics, AI, autonomy, and more.
Key Information: Open only to U.S. colleges and universities; all students on projects must be U.S. citizens.
Description
This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) invites proposals from U.S. colleges and universities for research and development projects aligned with priority naval technology areas. The BAA supports both faculty/student research and student capstone projects, with a focus on advancing technologies relevant to the U.S. Navy’s mission. Proposals may address basic or applied research, and the BAA is not intended for technical or engineering support services.
Priority research areas include, but are not limited to:
- Hypersonics
- Software Engineering
- Quantum Computing and Sensing
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Model-Based Systems Engineering
- Unmanned Systems and Autonomy
- Safety Systems
- Electromagnetic Environmental Effects
- Human Systems Integration
- Warfare System Development and Integration (including cybersecurity, directed energy, high-powered lasers/microwaves, sensor systems, materials, and biological defense)
The BAA is open for one year, with proposals accepted and reviewed in cycles. Optional white papers may be submitted for feedback prior to a full proposal.
Due Dates
- BAA Opens: October 15, 2024
- BAA Closes (Full Proposals): October 14, 2025, 11:59 pm EDT
- White Papers: Accepted any time during the open period
- Evaluation/Award Cycles:
- Cycle 1: Evaluation December 2024, awards anticipated February 2025
- Cycle 2: Evaluation March 2025, awards anticipated May 2025
- Cycle 3: Evaluation June 2025, awards anticipated August 2025
- Additional evaluations may occur if proposals are of immediate interest
Funding Amount
- Award Range: $2,500 to $3,500,000 (base year + up to two 12-month option years)
- Average Award (FY24): $450,000
- No cost sharing or matching required
- Multiple awards possible; actual funding depends on proposal quality and available funds
Eligibility
- Eligible Applicants:
- Public and private U.S. colleges and universities
- All students involved must be U.S. citizens
- Not Eligible:
- Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs) (may participate as team members if allowed by their sponsor)
- Navy, DoD, and other federal laboratories
- University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs)
- Additional Notes:
- HBCUs and Minority Institutions are encouraged to apply, but no set-aside is provided
- Some topics may involve export-controlled technologies (limited to “U.S. persons” per ITAR)
- Teams and collaborations are encouraged
Application Process
1. White Paper (Optional)
- May be submitted to gauge interest before preparing a full proposal
- Should include: university name, proposal title, requested funding, topic area, and a brief abstract (max 4 pages)
- Submit via email to the business POCs listed in the BAA
2. Full Proposal
- Submission: All proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov
- Format:
- Technical proposal (max 15 pages for DD-01; 3 pages for DD-02/DD-03)
- Project Abstract Summary (publicly releasable, separate attachment)
- Statement of Work (SOW)
- Biographical sketches and current/pending support for key personnel
- Budget and detailed justification (annual breakdown required)
- Facilities and equipment description
- Intellectual property assertions (if any)
- Required Forms: SF 424 (R&R), R&R Budget, R&R Senior/Key Person Profile, and others as specified in the BAA
- SAM Registration: All applicants must have an active SAM registration and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
3. Review and Award
- Proposals are evaluated on scientific/technical merit, relevance to NSWCDD priorities, and cost reasonableness
- Awards are subject to negotiation and availability of funds
Additional Information
- No fee or profit is allowed
- Reporting: Recipients must comply with DoD R&D General Terms and Conditions, including reporting requirements and national policy compliance
- Intellectual Property: Bayh-Dole Act applies for patentable materials; government retains nonexclusive, royalty-free license
- Conflicts of Interest: Must be disclosed and mitigated per federal regulations
- Security: Most work is expected to be unclassified; access to classified material is not provided under grants
External Links
Contact Information
For technical questions, contact the technical POC and copy both business POCs. All questions must reference the BAA number and topic.