Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement
🏛 NAVAIR
Can you apply?
This grant is for research and development organizations, including contractors, universities, and nonprofit research institutions interested in supporting Naval Air Warfare Center (NAVAIR) Aircraft Division priorities. Eligible applicants typically include businesses, educational institutions, nonprofits, and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) capable of conducting air systems research and engineering work. Geographic scope is not restricted; however, work must support U.S. Navy aviation capabilities and may require security clearances. Supported activities include research, development, testing, and evaluation of aircraft systems, avionics, materials, manufacturing processes, and related technologies that advance naval aviation readiness and innovation.
This grant is for research and development organizations, including contractors, universities, and nonprofit research institutions interested in supporting Naval Air Warfare Center (NAVAIR) Aircraft Division priorities. Eligible applicants typically include businesses, educational institutions, nonprofits, and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) capable of conducting air systems research and engineering work. Geographic scope is not restricted; however, work must support U.S. Navy aviation capabilities and may require security clearances. Supported activities include research, development, testing, and evaluation of aircraft systems, avionics, materials, manufacturing processes, and related technologies that advance naval aviation readiness and innovation.
Program description
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is interested in receiving white papers for Research and Development projects which offer potential for advancement and improvement of NAWCAD operations. See attachment, FY25 NAWCAD Office-Wide N00421-25-S-0001, for further details.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for research and development organizations, including contractors, universities, and nonprofit research institutions interested in supporting Naval Air Warfare Center (NAVAIR) Aircraft Division priorities. Eligible applicants typically include businesses, educational institutions, nonprofits, and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) capable of conducting air systems research and engineering work. Geographic scope is not restricted; however, work must support U.S. Navy aviation capabilities and may require security clearances. Supported activities include research, development, testing, and evaluation of aircraft systems, avionics, materials, manufacturing processes, and related technologies that advance naval aviation readiness and innovation.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Completed proposal narrative describing technical approach, objectives, and methods
- Statement of Work (SOW) with specific deliverables and milestones
- Detailed project budget and budget narrative with cost justification
- Organizational capability statement or company summary
- Past performance references (for prior contractors)
- Resumes or biographical sketches of key personnel
- Facility and security clearance information (if applicable)
- Letters of commitment from subcontractors or partners (if applicable)
- Small Business subcontracting plan (if applicable as prime contractor)
Program contact
- 👤 Elisabeth Keith Contract Specialist
- 📧 NAWCAD-Academia-BAA@us.navy.mil
- 📞 3017570231
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.300 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$112,259,544
-
$75,710,642
-
$67,720,186
-
$41,543,065
-
$40,990,349
-
$36,741,779
-
$36,400,000
-
$35,252,372
-
$30,000,001
-
$28,978,496
Top States by Funding
- MA 7 awards $191.5M
- DC 8 awards $166.9M
- CA 9 awards $162.4M
- FL 7 awards $118.3M
- HI 7 awards $99.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.300). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $334,244,206 | |
| 2025 | $218,929,958 | |
| 2026 est. | $333,130,069 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this NAVAIR grant?
Eligible applicants include for-profit contractors, nonprofits, universities, small businesses, and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs). Most applicants must have the ability to obtain appropriate security clearances and demonstrate relevant technical expertise in naval aviation systems.
What is the deadline and application process?
Applications are accepted through a rolling review process with a fixed deadline of June 22, 2026. The announcement typically opens for submissions around June 27, 2025. Submissions are made through SAM.gov and must follow Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) procedures.
What types of research and development are funded?
NAVAIR funds research across aircraft design, avionics, propulsion systems, materials science, manufacturing processes, survivability, human factors engineering, and sustainment. Proposals should directly address identified NAVAIR priorities and technical challenges.
How competitive is this funding?
This is a highly competitive federal R&D program. Strong technical proposals grounded in published NAVAIR priorities and demonstrating clear innovation and feasibility are favored. Organizations with prior DOD contracting experience have an advantage.
What is the typical funding range and project duration?
Funding varies widely by project scope and technical area, typically ranging from under $100,000 for small studies to several million dollars for larger development efforts. Project durations are generally 1-3 years with possible extensions based on performance and available funding.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Carefully review the published NAVAIR technical priorities and strategic roadmaps before developing your proposal; alignment with stated Navy needs is critical for competitiveness.
- Clearly articulate the technical innovation and military relevance of your work; panels prioritize proposals that solve real operational challenges for naval aviation.
- Demonstrate your organization's technical capacity and prior experience with similar DOD or Navy programs; include relevant past performance examples and team credentials.
- Budget realistically and justify all costs in relation to the technical approach; include labor rates consistent with your organizational history and facility costs if applicable.
- Engage early with NAVAIR program managers or the contracting office if possible to clarify priorities and ensure your concept aligns with current needs before formal submission.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many proposals fail by focusing on general R&D merit without explicitly connecting to published NAVAIR priorities or Navy operational requirements. Applicants often underestimate the importance of demonstrating organizational technical depth and prior DOD contracting experience, or submit vague technical approaches that lack sufficient detail on methods, milestones, and deliverables. Budget inconsistencies, unclear cost justifications, and failure to address security clearance or facility requirements are also common rejection factors.
Similar grants
- OPEN 27-0343-10 FFY27 Local Agency General Non-Enforcement — Illinois Department of Transportation
- ROLLING Rail Industrial Access Grant (RIA) — Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
- ROLLING AGR GTA Business Acceleration and Marketing (BAM) Program — Montana Department of Agriculture
- CLOSING SOON FY27 Housing Counseling & Education (HCE) — Virginia Housing Development Authority
- ROLLING Highly Rural Transportation FO FFY 2026 — North Dakota Veterans Affairs