FY27 Communications and Networking Applied Research Announcement for Office of Naval Research

The Office of Naval Research is seeking innovative research proposals under its FY27 Communications and Networking Applied Research Announcement to advance technologies that enhance end-to-end connectivity, resilience, and quality-of-service for mission-critical information exchange across naval, joint, and coalition forces. The program targets five specific technical focus areas: development of long-range VHF-band data links using compact 4x4 MIMO with sub-MHz channelization achieving over 1 bit/Hz spectral efficiency; design and prototyping of compact electronically-steered apertures for frequencies above Ka-band; creation of low probability-of-detection communication systems capable of countering advanced electronic threats; novel approaches for distributed network control, synchronization, and scheduling; and new algorithms capable of predicting network performance or operational demands to inform traffic engineering policies. Proposals outside these areas may also be considered if they significantly advance Navy and Marine Corps communications and networking capabilities. White papers, limited to five single-sided pages, are due by July 31, 2026, and must be submitted via the designated Navy portal; those deemed of particular value will be invited to submit full proposals due by November 16, 2026. Full proposals must include both a Technical Volume and a Cost Volume and are subject to evaluation based on scientific merit, technical feasibility, and alignment with the Navy’s Information Warfare vision and Distributed Maritime Operations objectives. Awards are anticipated to be made in April 2027, with performance periods ranging from one to three years, and individual awards are expected to range between $250,000 and $500,000 per year. All submissions must comply with Executive Order 14303 on scientific integrity and the guidelines of the master Broad Agency Announcement N0001425SB001, which also governs submission formats and award types—either grants or contracts. Offerors must have active UEI and CAGE codes, and businesses must disclose size and socioeconomic status if interested in subcontracting opportunities. Proposals must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov for grants or per specified contract procedures, and no physical delivery is required. The primary contracting office is located at One Liberty Center in Arlington, Virginia, with Stephen Hughes as the Contracting Officer and Dr. Sunoy Banerjee as the technical point of contact. No set-aside provisions apply, and neither specific inspection criteria nor packaging requirements are detailed, as this is a research solicitation focused on technical innovation rather than physical delivery.