The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Young Investigator Program (YIP) was established in 1985 and seeks to identify and support academic scientists and engineers who are in their first or second full-time tenure-track or tenure-track-equivalent academic appointment, who have received their PhD or equivalent degree on or after 01 January 2018, and who show exceptional promise for doing creative research. The objectives of this program are to attract outstanding faculty members of U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (hereafter also called "universities") to the Department of the Navy's Science and Technology (S&T) research program, to support their research, and to encourage their teaching and research careers.
Individuals who are holding U.S. non-profit equivalent positions are also encouraged to apply. Proposals under this NOFO must address basic or applied research areas of interest and should be highly innovative. Therefore, ONR YIP seeks creative individuals who can contribute to national security and warfighter supremacy, with the potential for sustained long term support throughout their academic careers.
Deadline: August 1, 2025
Applicants are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to contact the appropriate Program Officer who is the point of contact for a specific technical area to discuss their research ideas before submitting a proposal. A list of most Program Officers and their contact information can be found at:
https://www.onr.navy.mil/our-research/onr-technology-and-research or at:
https://www.onr.navy.mil/our-research/our-program-officers
Awards under this NOFO will be made only to U.S. Institutions of Higher Education which award degrees in science, engineering, or mathematics. U.S. Non-profit organizations operating primarily for scientific and educational services may also submit proposals. The Principal Investigator of a proposal must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident (on the date proposals are due), holding a first or second full-time tenure-track or tenure-track-equivalent faculty position at that university, and has received his/her PhD or equivalent degree on or after 01/01/2018. The term "national" of the United States includes a native resident of a possession of the United States, such as American Samoa.
Limitations on Number of Applications – There is no limitation on the number of applications an applicant (organization) may submit under the announcement. A PI may submit only one application under this solicitation. This is a single PI award. Co-PIs are not allowed. Tenured faculty are ineligible to apply. Prior ONR YIP Award recipients are ineligible to apply.
Typical awards are $750,000 over a 36-month period of performance. Applicants may request up to $250,000 for each 12-month interval. These funds may be budgeted against any reasonable costs related to conducting the proposed research, for example, summer salary for the investigator, graduate student support, supplies, and applicable indirect cost.