FY27 NOFO for Young Investigator Program
🏛 Office of Naval Research
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 4, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. institutions of higher education that award degrees in science, engineering, or mathematics. U.S. nonprofit organizations focused on scientific and educational services are also eligible.
The Principal Investigator must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident. They must hold a first or second full-time tenure-track or tenure-track-equivalent faculty position. The PI's PhD or equivalent degree must have been awarded on or after January 1, 2019.
Research must address areas of interest to ONR Program Officers. Details are available on the ONR Science and Technology Department website.
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Program description
The Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program seeks proposals addressing research areas (as described in the ONR Science and Technology Department section of ONR’s website at https://www.onr.navy.mil) which are of interest to ONR Program Officers will be considered. Contact information for each division (a subgroup of an S&T Department) is also listed within the S&T section of the website.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Proposal narrative (including research approach and objectives)
- Budget and budget justification
- Biographical sketch of PI
- Current and pending support documentation
- Letters of support from collaborators (if applicable)
- Institutional certifications and assurances
Program contact
- 👤 Gina Walker Branch Head
- 📧 veronica.y.lacey.civ@us.navy.mil
- 📞 703-501-6842
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
-
$77,536,421
-
$67,720,186
-
$41,951,229
-
$40,990,349
-
$40,648,433
-
$36,400,000
-
$35,252,372
-
$33,852,529
-
$30,000,001
Top States by Funding
- MA 7 awards $191.9M
- CA 10 awards $173.8M
- DC 8 awards $166.9M
- FL 7 awards $118.3M
- HI 7 awards $101.0M
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 can be the Principal Investigator?
The PI must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident with a first or second tenure-track faculty position. The PhD must be dated January 1, 2019 or later.
What institutions are eligible to apply?
U.S. institutions of higher education awarding degrees in science, engineering, or mathematics can apply. U.S. nonprofit organizations operating primarily for scientific and educational services are also eligible.
What research areas does ONR fund?
ONR funds research aligned with ONR Program Officer interests. Consult the ONR Science and Technology Department website for current priorities and contact information.
How competitive is this program?
This is a highly competitive federal research program. Strong emphasis on research quality, investigator track record, and alignment with ONR strategic priorities.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is October 30, 2026. Specific submission procedures should be confirmed on the ONR website.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact the relevant ONR Program Officer early to discuss your research idea and alignment with ONR priorities.
- Emphasize novel, high-impact research that advances Navy-relevant science and technology.
- Demonstrate strong preliminary data and a clear research plan with measurable milestones.
- Highlight your potential as an early-career investigator and commitment to research excellence.
- Ensure your institution has strong administrative infrastructure to manage federal grants.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting proposals not aligned with ONR strategic priorities without prior officer consultation. Not demonstrating sufficient preliminary data or methodological rigor. Overestimating what can be accomplished within realistic budget and timeline constraints.
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