NRL is the Department of the Navy's corporate laboratory, and conducts basic and applied research for the Navy in a variety of scientific and technical disciplines. The research conducted at NRL is a broadly based multidisciplinary program of scientific research and advanced technological development directed toward maritime applications of new and improved materials, techniques, equipment, systems and ocean, atmospheric, and space sciences and related technologies. NRL Program Code descriptions and NRL science and technology pursuits are provided at https://www.nrl.navy.mil/research/directorates-divisions/.
The objective of NRL's PFP is to provide postdoctoral scientists and engineers of unusual promise and ability opportunities to engage in research on problems, largely of their own choice, that are compatible with the interests of the Government and will potentially contribute to the general effort of NRL. NRL's PFP will further science and technology through fundamental research, with this research having potentially both civilian and military applications.
It is the intent of this FOA to solicit the most creative, innovative, and effective approaches to the execution of the NRL PFP. In response to the announcement, awardees should be prepared to: (1) Formulate an advertising plan to attract qualified applicants based on the NRL mission and capabilities. This plan should consider issues such as potential sources of applicants, e.g., major domestic colleges, universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs); various types of methods to disseminate information (e.g., professional trade journals, and professional society meetings and seminars; different ways to advertise (e.g., electronic and print media) and implementation methods; (2) Prepare marketing materials, in collaboration with the Government, to outline the NRL PFP; (3) Establish an ongoing application process to solicit the interest of qualified individuals (i.e. postdoctoral scientists and engineers) with interests in Research proposals largely of their own choice, that are compatible with the interests in Research that is consistent with the NRL Mission; (4) Establish a competitive review process for the review of applications and the selection of the various types of applicants; (5) Identify the process by which the applications will be reviewed, vetted, approved and recommended to NRL (including any support provided by experts in the various scientific disciplines; and (6) Identify a management structure and plan to address the management required for successful execution of the PFP, to include items such as progress reports and evaluations for each Fellow, support provided to fellows/researchers, performance standards and measures to support disciplinary actions, award programs, recordkeeping requirements, payment and financial reports. Historically, awards programs were held in conjunction with NRL's Annual Alan Berman Research Publications Awards and Dinner ceremony.
Deadline: Oct. 9, 2024
All responsible sources from academia, industry, and the research community may submit proposals under this FOA.
This FOA is issued to the availability of funds. The funded amount for previous programs have ranged from $20 million to $70 million across five (5) years, supporting 35 to 125 Postdoctorate fellows. Any cooperative agreement(s) is expected to have a period of 1 January 2025 through 31 December 2029. All Fellowship offers must have both an offer and a tenure date of no later than 31 December 2028. The last year (1 January 2029 through 31 December 2029) will be necessary to carry out the administrative tasks still required by the fellows who are retained through the agreement completion date.