Science of Artificial Intelligence – Basic and Applied Research for the Naval Domain” | N00014 23 S C001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is a Department of Defense (DoD), Office of Naval Research (ONR) research program titled "Science of Artificial Intelligence - Basic and Applied Research for the Naval Domain" under Funding Opportunity Number N00014-23-S-C001. ONR is soliciting white papers and full proposals.

What is ONR trying to achieve with this program?

The purpose is to advance the underlying science and practical engineering of artificial intelligence (AI) in ways that matter for future naval missions. The emphasis is on new ideas and research results that strengthen AI capabilities relevant to maritime and naval operating environments, not incremental product development or late-stage fielding.

Is this focused on basic research, applied research, or both?

Both. The scope spans DoD Budget Activity 1 (Basic Research) and Budget Activity 2 (Applied Research), as defined in the DoD Financial Management Regulation (Vol. 2B, Chapter 5). This signals ONR interest in foundational advances as well as exploratory, application-driven demonstrations tied to naval needs.

What types of AI work are considered responsive?

The program seeks novel, defensible technical advances in AI science and applied methods that are motivated by operational realities and constraints in the naval domain. Examples of the kinds of work implied by the description include new theories, algorithms, learning paradigms, and mathematical or computational insights, as well as early demonstrations where the research remains exploratory but is connected to naval-relevant problems.

What is the expected Technology Readiness Level (TRL) range?

The expected maturity range is TRL 1 through TRL 5. This covers efforts from early scientific principles and proof-of-concept up through component or breadboard validation in a relevant environment.

Does ONR want deployment-ready systems under this announcement?

Not primarily. The program is not aimed at near-term deployment-ready systems associated with higher TRLs. It does, however, encourage progress beyond purely conceptual work when appropriate within the TRL 1-5 range.

What kinds of submission formats are accepted?

The solicitation accepts both white papers and full proposals. This structure often indicates ONR wants early engagement and concept vetting before applicants invest heavily in preparing a full submission.

Is submitting a white paper required before a full proposal?

The summary states that ONR is soliciting white papers and full proposals, but it does not specify whether a white paper is mandatory. Any requirement would be defined in the full solicitation.

What funding instrument will ONR use (grant or contract)?

ONR indicates it may use either grants or procurement contracts. This typically means the government may select the mechanism that best fits the nature of the work, deliverables, and the expected level of government involvement.

How many awards does ONR expect to make?

The agency anticipated around five awards under this announcement.

Is there a maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The listing shows an award ceiling of 0, which typically indicates a specific maximum dollar amount was not provided in the summary data. Applicants are generally expected to rely on the full solicitation language or coordinate with ONR for expected funding ranges and budgeting norms.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 12.300.

What category of funding opportunity is this?

This is described as a discretionary funding opportunity in the science and technology and other R&D category.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is effectively open to any type of entity (including universities, nonprofits, small businesses, large businesses, and other organizations), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement.

Does "unrestricted eligibility" mean any organization can apply without conditions?

It indicates a broad, open eligibility posture, but applicants still need to meet federal and DoD requirements and align the proposed research with naval-relevant AI challenges. Any additional eligibility conditions would be contained in the full solicitation.

What is the primary application domain emphasized in this program?

The focus is the naval and maritime operating environment. Proposed AI advances should be relevant to the constraints, conditions, and mission needs of future naval operations.

Is this opportunity more about research or product development?

It is research-focused. ONR is looking for new AI ideas and research results rather than incremental product development or late-stage fielding efforts.

When was this opportunity posted and what was the original closing date?

The summary shows the opportunity was created on October 12, 2022, with an original closing date of January 4, 2023.

If the listed dates have passed, does the description still help applicants?

Yes. Even if the dates have passed, the description provides a clear picture of the types of AI research ONR seeks to fund: novel advances, early-to-mid TRL demonstrations (TRL 1-5), and work motivated by naval operational realities.

Where do Budget Activity 1 and Budget Activity 2 definitions come from?

The solicitation references the DoD Financial Management Regulation (Vol. 2B, Chapter 5) as the source defining Budget Activity 1 (Basic Research) and Budget Activity 2 (Applied Research).