Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global Research Opportunity: Global-X Challenge 2023 | N00014 23 S BC12

Global-X Challenge 2023 (ONR Global) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the Global-X Challenge 2023?

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global Research Opportunity: Global-X Challenge 2023 is a discretionary, competitive grant program intended to identify bold, high-impact research concepts that could eventually translate into revolutionary capabilities for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The program is designed to surface promising concepts that may be early in maturity but could be accelerated later through separate follow-on technology development efforts.

2) What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The program is meant to act as a catalyst for breakthrough ideas. It focuses on discovering and de-risking potentially game-changing research concepts, rather than funding full-scale productization or long-term development from start to finish.

3) Is this program focused on research or product development?

Based on the description provided, it is primarily focused on research concepts and early-stage de-risking. It is not positioned as a full productization or end-to-end development program. Later-stage development is expected to occur, if at all, through separate follow-on efforts.

4) Who is this opportunity primarily aimed at?

The opportunity is specifically directed toward international researchers. While U.S.-based researchers can participate, ONR Global expects the majority of team members to be located outside the United States.

5) Can U.S.-based researchers participate?

Yes. The description indicates U.S.-based researchers can participate, but the emphasis is international and the expectation is that most team members will be outside the U.S.

6) Does the lead Principal Investigator (PI) have to be outside the United States?

Yes. Each project team must designate a lead PI whose home organization is outside the U.S. The non-U.S. PI organization is responsible for submitting the required white paper or full proposal (as applicable under the solicitation process).

7) Do teams have to be multinational?

No. The program anticipates, but does not require, that teams will be multinational.

8) If a team is multinational, are there any specific expectations?

Yes. The program specifically notes an expectation that multinational teams will include at least two non-U.S. research entities.

9) What types of organizations can be part of a team?

Teams can be built from academia, industry, and the broader research community, as long as participants meet eligibility and compliance requirements under the referenced solicitation.

10) What does "one award per project team" mean?

ONR makes only one award per project team, and that award is issued solely to the PI's institution as the prime awardee. Collaborators do not receive separate prime awards directly from ONR under this structure for a single team.

11) Who receives the grant funds from ONR?

The prime award is issued only to the non-U.S. PI's institution. That prime institution is responsible for distributing funds onward to co-PIs and other sub-recipients, as applicable.

12) Who is responsible for managing subawards and pass-through funding?

The prime PI institution is responsible for the full grant lifecycle, including management of subawards or pass-through funding to collaborators.

13) What responsibilities does the prime institution have?

The prime institution carries responsibility for compliance with all award conditions, proper use of funds, and overall grant management across the team, including any subrecipients.

14) What is the eligibility framework for applicants?

Eligibility is broadly open to non-federal entities. Academic institutions and industry organizations are explicitly included, provided they are not prohibited from doing business with the U.S. Government.

15) Are there restrictions related to sanctions or exclusions?

Yes. Participation is not allowed for organizations or individuals subject to U.S. sanctions or otherwise excluded. Applicants are responsible for ensuring they and their collaborators are not prohibited parties.

16) Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with sanctions and export controls?

The applicant/prime organization is responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable sanctions, export controls, and similar legal limitations. This includes ensuring team composition, information sharing, and any transfers of funding, data, materials, or technology comply with relevant rules.

17) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

18) What is the maximum award size (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is up to $1,000,000.

19) What are the identifying numbers for this opportunity?

Funding Opportunity Number: N00014 23 S BC12. CFDA: 12.300.

20) What category is this opportunity listed under?

It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

21) What was the submission deadline?

The original closing date for submissions was July 12, 2023.

22) When was the opportunity record created?

The opportunity record shows a creation date of April 11, 2023.

23) Does the notice state how many awards ONR expects to make?

No. The provided text does not clearly specify the number of expected awards.

24) Where do applicants find the full eligibility and submission requirements?

Full eligibility and submission requirements are governed by the referenced Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) N00014-23-S-B001.

25) Does the program require a white paper, a full proposal, or both?

The description indicates that the non-U.S. PI organization is responsible for submitting the white paper or full proposal as required by the solicitation process. Specific steps (such as whether there is a white paper screening phase) should be confirmed in the BAA and associated program materials.

26) Where can applicants confirm evaluation criteria and down-selection steps?

The notice indicates that details like down-selection steps (such as white paper screening), evaluation criteria, anticipated award counts, and any topic-specific priorities would need to be consulted in the BAA and any associated program materials.

27) Does this opportunity mention topic-specific priorities?

The provided text does not list specific topics. It suggests that topic-specific priorities, if any, would be found in the BAA and associated program materials.

28) Is the program intended to have benefits beyond defense applications?

Yes. The program description notes potential spillover value for commercial markets and the general public, in addition to potential Navy and Marine Corps relevance.