FY27 Communications and Networking Applied Research Announcement for Office of Naval Research
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is seeking applied research projects that advance communications and networking technologies for distributed maritime operations and the Naval Tactical Grid. This opportunity is focused on technologies that improve connectivity, resilience, throughput, and mission-critical information exchange across naval, joint, and coalition forces operating in challenging environments.
ONR is particularly interested in projects related to advanced communications systems, networking technologies, low-probability-of-detection communications, distributed network control, and predictive network performance algorithms. The agency plans to fund approximately five to six awards.
Although white papers are not required, they are strongly encouraged and provide an opportunity to receive feedback before submitting a full proposal. To ensure full consideration, white papers should be submitted no later than July 31, 2026, 4 pm Eastern Time.
How much funding would I receive?
ONR plans to fund five (5) to six (6) individual awards valued at $250,000 to $500,000 per year using research funds. Lower-cost and higher-cost proposals will also be considered.
The period of performance may be one, two, or three years.
What could I use the funding for?
Funding is intended for applied research projects that develop and mature communications and networking technologies for Naval operations. ONR identified the following focus areas:
Development of long-range VHF-band data links using compact 4x4 MIMO systems based on 5G/COTS technologies and sub-MHz frequency channelization.
Novel design and prototyping of compact electronically steered apertures for frequencies above Ka-band.
Innovative approaches for low probability-of-detection communications against advanced electronic threats.
Advanced techniques for distributed network control, synchronization, and scheduling.
New algorithms for predicting network behavior, network performance, or emerging operational requirements that can be translated into traffic engineering policies.
ONR also states that it is receptive to innovative communications and networking concepts that fall outside these focus areas if they are important to Navy and Marine Corps communications and networking needs.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Offerors that submit white papers may receive Government feedback indicating whether the proposed technology appears to be of “particular value” to the Department of the Navy. This feedback is intended to help organizations assess the likelihood of funding.
ONR may also suggest modifications to project scope, budget, tasks, or applications to better align proposals with available funding and Navy priorities.
Organizations identified as offering technologies of particular value may be invited to provide an oral presentation to further discuss their approach and impact.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Key dates include:
Recommended White Paper Submission Date: July 31, 2026, 4 pm Eastern Time
Notification of White Paper Valuation: August 14, 2026
Oral Presentations: September 10, 2026
Notification of Selection: Full Proposals: October 5, 2026
Recommended Full Proposal Submission: November 16, 2026, 4 pm Eastern Time
Awards: April 15, 2027
The solicitation states that white papers should be submitted no later than July 31, 2026, 4 pm Eastern Time to ensure full and timely consideration.
Funding decisions should be made by October 5, 2026, and selected projects have an estimated award date of April 15, 2027.
Where does this funding come from?
This opportunity is offered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) under BAA Call Number N0001426SBC11, titled FY27 Communications and Networking Applied Research. It is issued under the Navy and Marine Corps Long Range Broad Agency Announcement N0001425SB001.
The effort supports the Navy’s Information Warfare vision and communications and networking research priorities.
Who is eligible to apply?
The solicitation does not provide a standalone eligibility section within this announcement. Offerors are directed to submit white papers and proposals in accordance with the parent Broad Agency Announcement N0001425SB001 or its successor.
The announcement explicitly references participation by:
Small businesses.
Other-than-small businesses (large businesses).
Non-profit organizations.
Educational institutions.
Additional eligibility requirements are not specified in this announcement.
Who is not eligible to apply?
Not specified in this announcement. Offerors should review the parent Broad Agency Announcement N0001425SB001 or its successor for any eligibility restrictions.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Based on the stated program objectives, ONR is seeking projects that directly advance communications and networking capabilities for Naval operations and distributed maritime operations. Competitive projects are likely to demonstrate:
Strong technical innovation.
Clear relevance to Navy and Marine Corps missions.
Measurable operational performance improvements.
Practical concepts of operation.
Demonstrated plans for operational evaluation.
Clear research goals and benchmarks.
Alignment with Gold Standard Science requirements.
Projects aligned with one or more of the five identified focus areas may be particularly responsive to the solicitation.
How competitive will this solicitation be?
ONR plans to fund approximately five to six awards, indicating a limited number of available selections.
The solicitation does not specify the expected number of applicants, historical success rates, or anticipated competition levels.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Important requirements include:
White papers should not exceed five single-sided pages, excluding the cover page, references, and principal investigator resume.
White papers must use 12-point Times New Roman font and margins of at least one inch.
White papers must be submitted through the ONR Submission Portal.
White papers must include a rough order of magnitude cost estimate.
White papers must address Gold Standard Science requirements.
Principal investigator resumes are limited to one page.
Other-than-small businesses, including large businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions, must submit a subcontracting plan with their research proposal.
The solicitation also requires compliance with Gold Standard Science policies under Executive Order 14303.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
The solicitation does not specify the expected preparation time.
Applicants choosing to submit a white paper must prepare a technical concept, naval relevance discussion, operational concept, operational utility assessment plan, research goals and benchmarks, Gold Standard Science discussion, rough order of magnitude budget estimate, and principal investigator resume.
Organizations invited to continue will also need to prepare a full proposal in accordance with the requirements of N0001425SB001 or its successor.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can help you:
Assess alignment with ONR’s Communications and Networking priorities.
Develop a competitive white paper that clearly demonstrates Naval relevance and technical innovation.
Refine project scope, milestones, benchmarks, and transition strategy.
Prepare full proposal technical and cost volumes.
Strengthen positioning for oral presentations and ONR discussions.
Ensure compliance with submission requirements and deadlines.
