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

FAQs: ONR Navy and Marine Corps Defense University Research-to-Adoption (DURA) Initiative (N00014-18-S-F004)

What is the DURA Initiative?

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Navy and Marine Corps Defense University Research-to-Adoption (DURA) Initiative is a grant program meant to push promising university research beyond basic lab work and into early prototypes that can realistically be adopted by the Department of Defense (DoD) and, when appropriate, by the commercial market.

What makes DURA different from a typical research grant?

DURA emphasizes "research-to-adoption" rather than research for its own sake. Proposals are expected to include plans for transition, commercialization pathways, and longer-term sustainability after the grant period ends, not just technical research results.

What are the technical focus areas for this opportunity?

The opportunity focuses on two mission-relevant problem areas with direct operational impact: (1) lithium-ion battery safety and (2) electrical grid resiliency, reliability, and security.

Can a proposal address both technical focus areas?

Yes. Proposals can address one or both technical focus areas, based on the information provided.

Is there a required project structure for submissions?

Yes. Submissions must be structured as a multi-project effort. Each submission must include at least two separate research projects.

How are the individual projects within a multi-project submission evaluated?

Each project is reviewed annually on its own merits to evaluate progress, risk, and whether it should continue. This signals a portfolio approach where multiple related projects can mature in parallel and underperforming efforts can be redirected or discontinued based on yearly assessments.

What does "self-sustaining beyond the period of performance" mean in this context?

Projects are expected to be designed to continue beyond ONR funding in a way that supports adoption and transition goals. The proposal should show credible plans for transition and longer-term sustainability, including how prototypes could evolve into minimum viable products and how the team could attract follow-on support.

What kinds of partners or support systems are encouraged to help with adoption and transition?

Applicants are encouraged to build practical support systems around the research. Examples include engaging advisors, transition partners, and stakeholders aligned with future funding. The announcement mentions potential support from local and regional companies, investment groups, university foundations, state and local economic development offices, and federal or state small business support organizations.

What does ONR mean by moving research into "early prototypes" and potentially "minimum viable products"?

The program is aimed at translating innovations into early lab prototypes and, where appropriate, toward minimum viable products (MVPs). The intent is to increase the likelihood that the outcomes can be adopted by DoD users and/or transitioned through commercialization pathways.

What problem is ONR trying to solve in the lithium-ion battery safety focus area?

This area targets persistent safety barriers that limit full adoption of lithium-ion batteries in defense systems despite significant investment across government and industry. The underlying theme is reducing the probability and severity of thermal runaway and related hazards while maintaining or improving performance.

What are example topics for lithium-ion battery safety?

Example topics mentioned 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.

Who is the battery safety transition audience mentioned in the opportunity?

The opportunity highlights transition through startups, small businesses, and other non-traditional defense contractors as potential pathways for battery safety innovations.

What problem is ONR trying to solve in the electrical grid resiliency, reliability, and security focus area?

This area reflects defense and civilian needs for more robust power systems under everyday stressors and deliberate attack. The emphasis is on practical resilience: staying operational, restoring quickly, and resisting compromise when conditions deteriorate.

What are example topics for electrical grid resiliency, reliability, and security?

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.

Does DURA support both hardware and software innovations for the grid area?

Yes. The grid focus area explicitly mentions advanced power generation, transmission, and distribution technologies that can be hardware and/or software.

Are microgrids specifically relevant to this opportunity?

Yes. The opportunity highlights improved microgrid control for high-dynamic loads and affordable, easy-to-deploy microgrids for expeditionary use, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and remote communities.

What cross-cutting elements are applicants asked to include beyond technical research?

DURA explicitly asks applicants to incorporate two cross-cutting elements: (1) laboratory-to-market approaches and (2) workforce and professional development.

What are "laboratory-to-market approaches" in this announcement?

These are business-oriented activities intended to improve commercialization outcomes. Examples provided include startup training, entrepreneurship events, accelerator participation, and support from technology incubators.

What is expected under workforce and professional development?

Applicants should explain how the program will strengthen the local and regional workforce. The announcement also encourages efforts that attract and employ veterans and other members of the military community, including reservists.

Who is eligible to submit under this opportunity?

Eligibility is primarily aimed at academic institutions. The opportunity states that "all responsible sources from academia" may submit white papers, while foreign entities are not considered.

Are foreign entities eligible to apply?

No. Foreign entities are not considered, based on the information provided.

Can federally funded research organizations be the prime awardee?

Some federal research organizations cannot be prime awardees under this funding opportunity announcement. The listing specifically notes that certain federal research organizations are not eligible as prime submitters.

Are Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) eligible to receive awards?

No. FFRDCs (including Department of Energy national laboratories) are not eligible to receive awards. However, they may participate in team arrangements if allowed by their sponsoring agreements.

Can Navy laboratories, military universities, warfare centers, or other government labs submit as the primary applicant?

No. 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. They may collaborate as partners with eligible university-led teams.

Is there a point of contact for federal organizations that want to participate?

Yes. The announcement provides a point of contact, Dr. Michele Anderson, for federal organizations to discuss potential project participation outside of being a prime submitter.

Are University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) eligible?

UARCs may submit white papers unless their specific DoD UARC contract restrictions prohibit it.

What is the funding opportunity number for this program notice?

The funding opportunity number listed is N00014-18-S-F004.

What is the funding instrument type?

The funding instrument type is a grant.

What is the activity category and CFDA code listed?

The listing identifies an R&D-oriented activity category under CFDA 12.300.

What was the closing date shown in the listing?

The original closing date shown is February 20, 2018, indicating the notice is tied to that cycle.

Does the 2018 closing date mean the program concept is no longer relevant?

The listing indicates that this specific notice is tied to the 2018 cycle. It also notes that the program concept and structure reflect ONR's broader interest in accelerating technology transition from universities into defense-relevant adoption pathways.