Opportunity Information: Apply for N0001426SF004
The ONR FY27 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Young Investigator Program (Funding Opportunity Number N0001426SF004) is a discretionary federal grant competition run by the Department of the Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR). It supports early-career faculty doing science and technology research and other R&D that aligns with ONR priorities. The program is broadly scoped in the sense that it does not limit applicants to a single narrow topic area; instead, it invites proposals across research areas that ONR program officers manage. Applicants are expected to identify an ONR-relevant research area by reviewing the Science and Technology (S&T) Department listings on the ONR website (https://www.onr.navy.mil) and targeting a topic that matches current interests described there. The NOFO notes that contact information for divisions (subgroups within S&T departments) is available through the same S&T section, which is a practical cue that applicants should align with, and often communicate with, the appropriate program office to ensure fit.
Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations in specific categories. Awards will be made only to U.S. Institutions of Higher Education that grant degrees in science, engineering, or mathematics, and U.S. nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is to provide scientific and educational services may also submit proposals. In addition to organizational eligibility, the principal investigator (PI) must meet several personal and career-stage requirements: the PI must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident as of the proposal due date; must hold a first or second full-time tenure-track (or tenure-track-equivalent) faculty appointment at the submitting university; and must have received the PhD or equivalent degree on or after January 1, 2019. The NOFO clarifies that "national of the United States" includes individuals who are native residents of U.S. possessions (for example, American Samoa), which matters for applicants who are not citizens but fall under that legal definition.
The opportunity is categorized as a grant under CFDA 12.300, with the funding activity described as science and technology and other research and development. The posting lists an original closing date of October 30, 2026, and a creation date of August 17, 2026. The summary information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, indicating that applicants should consult the full announcement and any linked guidance for budget ranges, performance periods, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions. Overall, the program is positioned as a way for qualifying early-career faculty to launch or accelerate an ONR-aligned research agenda by proposing work that fits an active ONR program area and is compelling to the relevant ONR program officer.Apply for N0001426SF004
- The Office of Naval Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "ONR FY27 NOFO for Young Investigator Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.300.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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ONR FY27 Young Investigator Program (YIP) NOFO (N0001426SF004) - FAQs
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the Office of Naval Research (ONR) FY27 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Young Investigator Program (YIP), Funding Opportunity Number N0001426SF004. It is a discretionary federal grant competition run by the U.S. Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research.
What is the purpose of the ONR Young Investigator Program?
The program supports early-career faculty conducting science and technology research and other research and development (R&D) that aligns with ONR priorities. It is positioned as a way for qualifying early-career faculty to launch or accelerate an ONR-aligned research agenda.
What kinds of projects or research areas are eligible?
The opportunity is broadly scoped and does not restrict applicants to a single narrow topic area. Proposals are invited across research areas that ONR program officers manage, as long as the proposed work aligns with ONR priorities and fits an active ONR program area.
How do applicants determine whether a topic aligns with ONR priorities?
Applicants are expected to identify an ONR-relevant research area by reviewing the Science and Technology (S&T) Department listings on the ONR website (https://www.onr.navy.mil) and targeting a topic that matches current interests described there.
Is it possible (or expected) to align with a specific ONR program officer or office?
Yes. The NOFO points applicants to ONR S&T Department listings and notes that division (subgroup) contact information is available in the same S&T section. This signals that proposals should be aligned with the appropriate program area and that communicating with the relevant program office is often part of ensuring the right fit.
Who can apply (organizational eligibility)?
Awards will be made only to U.S.-based organizations in specific categories:
- U.S. Institutions of Higher Education that grant degrees in science, engineering, or mathematics
- U.S. nonprofit organizations whose primary mission is to provide scientific and educational services
Can non-U.S. institutions apply?
No. The NOFO limits awards to U.S. Institutions of Higher Education meeting the stated degree-granting requirement and certain U.S. nonprofit organizations with the specified mission.
Who can serve as the Principal Investigator (PI)?
The PI must meet personal and career-stage requirements. Specifically, the PI must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident as of the proposal due date; must hold a first or second full-time tenure-track (or tenure-track-equivalent) faculty appointment at the submitting university; and must have received a PhD (or equivalent) on or after January 1, 2019.
What citizenship or immigration statuses are allowed for the PI?
The PI must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or a U.S. permanent resident as of the proposal due date.
What does the NOFO mean by "U.S. national"?
The NOFO clarifies that "national of the United States" includes individuals who are native residents of U.S. possessions (for example, American Samoa). This can be important for applicants who are not U.S. citizens but fall under that legal definition.
What faculty appointment types are required for the PI?
The PI must hold a first or second full-time tenure-track (or tenure-track-equivalent) faculty appointment at the submitting university.
What is the degree timing requirement for the PI?
The PI must have received the PhD or equivalent degree on or after January 1, 2019.
Does the opportunity information state the award ceiling or number of awards?
No. The summary information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards. Applicants are expected to consult the full announcement and any linked guidance for details such as budget ranges, performance periods, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions.
What is the CFDA number and funding activity category?
The opportunity is categorized as a grant under CFDA 12.300. The funding activity is described as science and technology and other research and development.
What is the closing date for this NOFO?
The posting lists an original closing date of October 30, 2026.
When was this opportunity created or posted?
The posting lists a creation date of August 17, 2026.
Where should applicants look for the official ONR topic and division information?
Applicants should use the ONR website (https://www.onr.navy.mil), specifically the S&T Department listings and the associated division contact information available through the S&T section.
What should applicants do if they need details not shown in the summary (budget, period of performance, evaluation criteria, or submission instructions)?
Because the summary does not provide those details, applicants should consult the full NOFO announcement and any linked guidance for the complete requirements and instructions.
Is this a formula grant or a competitive program?
This is a discretionary federal grant competition, meaning proposals are competitively evaluated rather than awarded by formula.
What is the main strategic approach implied by the NOFO for a strong fit?
The NOFO emphasizes selecting a topic within an ONR-managed research area, aligning the proposal with current ONR interests described in the S&T listings, and targeting the appropriate ONR program area (often involving communication with the relevant program office) to ensure the work is ONR-relevant.
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