Office of Naval Research (ONR) Navy and Marine Corps Department of Defense University Research-to-Adoption (DURA) Initiative | N00014 18 S F004

Opportunity Information: Apply for N00014 18 S F004

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Navy and Marine Corps Defense University Research-to-Adoption (DURA) Initiative is a grant program designed to move promising university research beyond basic lab work and into early prototypes that can realistically be adopted by the Department of Defense and, when appropriate, by the commercial market. The opportunity focuses on two mission-relevant problem areas that have direct operational impact: lithium-ion battery safety and electrical grid resiliency, reliability, and security. While the technical scope is important, the defining feature of DURA is the emphasis on "research-to-adoption" rather than research for its own sake, meaning applicants are expected to plan for transition, commercialization pathways, and longer-term sustainability after the grant period ends.

Proposals can address one or both technical focus areas, but they must be structured as a multi-project effort. Each submission must include at least two separate research projects, and the program requires that each project be reviewed annually on its own merits to evaluate progress, risk, and whether it should continue. This structure signals that ONR is looking for a portfolio approach within a single award, where multiple related projects can mature in parallel, and where underperforming efforts can be redirected or discontinued based on evidence from yearly assessments.

A major expectation is that projects are designed to be self-sustaining beyond the period of performance, specifically to support the adoption and transition goals of the initiative. Applicants are encouraged to build practical support systems around the research, such as engaging advisors, transition partners, and funding-aligned stakeholders that can help carry the technology forward after ONR funding ends. Examples mentioned include partnerships with local and regional companies, investment groups, university foundations, state and local economic development offices, and federal or state small business support organizations. In other words, the proposal should show not only technical merit, but also a credible plan for how prototypes could become minimum viable products and how the team could attract follow-on funding, customers, or commercialization infrastructure.

The first technical area, lithium-ion battery safety, targets persistent safety barriers that limit full adoption of lithium-ion batteries in defense systems despite significant investment across government and industry. ONR is seeking efforts that can translate promising safety-related innovations into early lab prototypes and potentially minimum viable products, with an eye toward transition through startups, small businesses, and other non-traditional defense contractors. Example topics include improved electrolytes; stable, high-energy anodes and cathodes; cell components or structural approaches that increase safety and reliability (such as electrode coatings and electrolyte additives); safety improvements achieved through cell, module, and packaging design; and battery management and state-of-health techniques that can prevent, detect, or mitigate catastrophic failure events. The underlying theme is reducing the probability and severity of thermal runaway and related hazards while maintaining or improving performance.

The second technical area, electrical grid reliability, resiliency, and security, reflects the growing defense and civilian need for more robust power systems under both everyday stressors and deliberate attack. The initiative supports component- and system-level innovations that can be matured at universities into prototype forms suitable for adoption and scaling, again with potential transition through startups, small businesses, and non-traditional contractors. Example topics include advanced power generation, transmission, and distribution technologies (hardware and software); industrial control systems that are secure in both cyber and physical terms; improved microgrid control for high-dynamic loads; protocols and controls that preserve secure operation of critical infrastructure in adverse conditions; hardening grid components against kinetic and electromagnetic threats; and affordable, easy-to-deploy microgrids for expeditionary use, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and remote communities. The emphasis is on practical resilience: staying operational, restoring quickly, and resisting compromise when conditions deteriorate.

Beyond the technical work, DURA explicitly asks applicants to incorporate two cross-cutting elements. The first is laboratory-to-market approaches, where proposals are strongly encouraged to include business-oriented activities that improve commercialization outcomes. Examples include startup training, entrepreneurship events, accelerator participation, and support from technology incubators. The second is workforce and professional development, where applicants should explain how the program will strengthen the local and regional workforce. ONR also encourages efforts that attract and employ veterans and other members of the military community, including reservists, tying the research transition goals to talent development and regional economic impact.

Eligibility is primarily aimed at academic institutions: "all responsible sources from academia" may submit white papers, while foreign entities are not considered. Certain federal research organizations cannot be prime awardees under this funding opportunity announcement. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy national laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards, though they may participate in team arrangements if allowed by their sponsoring agreements. Likewise, Navy laboratories, military universities, warfare centers, and other DoD or civilian agency laboratories are not eligible to submit white papers or applications as the primary applicants, but they may collaborate as partners with eligible university-led teams. The announcement provides a point of contact (Dr. Michele Anderson) for those federal organizations to discuss potential project participation outside of being a prime submitter. University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) may submit white papers unless their specific DoD UARC contract restrictions prohibit it.

Administrative details in the listing include the funding opportunity number (N00014-18-S-F004), the funding instrument type (grant), and the R and D-oriented activity category under CFDA 12.300. The original closing date shown is February 20, 2018, indicating this specific notice is tied to that cycle, although the program concept and structure reflect ONR's broader interest in accelerating technology transition from universities into defense-relevant adoption pathways.

• The Office of Naval Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Naval Research (ONR) Navy and Marine Corps Department of Defense University Research-to-Adoption (DURA) Initiative" 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 2017-11-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-02-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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