The Office of Naval Research has announced the first class of 12 winners in its inaugural Chief of Naval Research (CNR) Fellows program. The program brings top academic researchers to ONR for a one-year fellowship, providing critical support for naval focus areas and fostering collaboration between academia and the DoN.
The Office of Naval Research will host an Innovation Industry Days event from Sept. 21-25, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia. The multi-day event aims to identify and fill future technology gaps across 11 key Focus Areas, fostering collaboration with industry and discussing Navy's pressing research needs.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has been instrumental in shaping the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps' technological advancements for 80 years. Key initiatives include the newly released 2026 Science and Technology Strategy and the CNR Fellows program, which fosters collaboration between academia and industry.
The Office of Naval Research has released a new Science and Technology Strategy to address complex challenges facing the Department of the Navy and broader Department of War. The strategy emphasizes the need for disciplined choices and prioritization in research and delivery.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) will host an exhibit at Sea-Air-Space Exposition to strengthen collaboration with industry, featuring ONR- and NRL-sponsored technologies. ONR objectives for effective S&T partnerships will be highlighted during industry-centric panel discussions.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is honoring the Class of 2026 YIP awardees with approximately $17 million in funding to address critical naval warfighter challenges. The program aims to partner with outstanding early-career academics in science and technology to enhance the capabilities of Sailors and Marines.
The Office of Naval Research partnered with USIABP and ICE-PPR to deploy over 126 buoys across the Arctic Ocean, providing critical meteorological and oceanographic data. The deployments support U.S. naval operations and warfighting readiness in the region.
The Office of Naval Research congratulates Drs. Marcelo Garcia, Richard Spinrad, and Robert Weller on their election to the National Academy of Engineering. The three engineers were recognized for their outstanding contributions in engineering practice, research, and education.
The DAVD display enhances Navy divers' visibility in dark, low-visibility environments, improving their productivity and safety. The system uses real-time information sharing, high-resolution imagery, and augmented-reality displays to help divers navigate and communicate with surface teams.
The ONR robotics program has deployed a decontamination robot using short-wave ultraviolet (UVC) light to combat Covid-19. The robot's mechanical arm can reposition UVC lamps over surfaces, reducing human exposure and enabling autonomous disinfection.
The Department of Navy's Technology Transfer Program Office fosters collaboration between the Navy, government agencies, industry, and academia to advance cutting-edge technology and capabilities. The program enables partnership agreements that strengthen naval capabilities and accelerate technology research and development.
The 2019 Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellows are announced, supporting innovative research in areas of importance to the DoD. The fellows will receive up to $3 million over five years to pursue their research.
The system allows for individual, team or multi-team training events in a virtual environment, simulating normal operations and emergency conditions. This cutting-edge technology has been developed by the Office of Naval Research Global TechSolutions program and the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division.
The US Navy's Task Force Ocean aims to advance its tactical advantage through better understanding of the ocean environment. The initiative will increase research funding and sponsor graduate students and post-doctorates in physical oceanography and acoustics.
The workshop discussed how AI can help victims of disasters, including using unmanned aerial vehicles to find survivors and robots to communicate with trapped victims. The goal is to leverage AI to better deliver resources and people to those in urgent need.
The US Navy is developing a new type of coating that can repel various liquids and reduce friction drag on ships, potentially saving millions in fuel costs. Researchers have created an omniphobic coating that can be applied to multiple surfaces and withstand scratches and daily wear.
The US Navy is looking to accelerate innovation and deliver new capabilities quickly to warfighters. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) and leadership from the Naval Research Enterprise will discuss this at Sea-Air-Space.
A groundbreaking study in Nature Magazine explores the use of zinc oxide to improve semiconductors and energy output in electronic devices, promising increased efficiency and performance. The research has significant benefits for Marines on the ground and Sailors at sea, as well as global consumers.
Researchers have created a hydrogel-elastomer hybrid that can prevent barnacles from sticking to metal hulls, reducing fuel costs for the Navy. The material is soft, slippery, and retains moisture, providing a long-lasting solution to biofouling.
Scientists have engineered Geobacter bacteria to produce extremely thin nanowires that are thousands of times thinner than a human hair, and are made from non-toxic natural proteins. The resulting wires can be used in medical sensors, military applications, and other electronic devices.
A study by Dr. Chantel Prat and colleagues found that a five-minute measurement of resting-state brain activity can predict how quickly adults pick up a second language. Participants with larger 'beta' networks in their brains learned French twice as quickly, suggesting a link between brain activity and language learning speed.
Researchers studying intestinal bacteria and their effect on the human brain and mood found that an imbalance in gut microbiota can lead to heightened anxiety and stress. Feeding stressed mice probiotics improved behavior and reduced stress biomarkers, suggesting a potential treatment for PTSD.
The Office of Naval Research awarded $25 million to 47 young investigators for their promising basic research in various naval-relevant fields. The awardees will receive funding for laboratory equipment, graduate student stipends and scholarships.
A breakthrough study sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global has significantly boosted the memory and mental performance of laboratory mice through Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). The researchers observed improved performance in navigating a water maze and distinguishing between known and unknown objects,...
Researchers studying oxygen toxicity among Navy divers have found that exposure to high levels of oxygen can cause cardiovascular and muscular performance to deteriorate between dives. The study aims to identify a treatment for this condition, which could also benefit astronauts and aviators relying on breathing high-oxygen mixtures.
Researchers are exploring the use of ketone esters to treat seizures caused by hyperbaric oxygen toxicity in deep-water divers. Laboratory rats showed improved performance and greater resistance to oxygen toxicity seizures after receiving the dose.
A high school student won a $10,000 scholarship from the Office of Naval Research for his concussion research project, which aimed to reduce whiplash motion correlated with concussions. The project's potential applications extend beyond sports, as brain injuries are a leading cause of TBI for military personnel in war zones.
Scientists are conducting experiments to study the motions, forces, and pressures generated by waves on planing-hull boats. This research aims to reduce weight while maintaining structural adequacy, enabling Navy boats to travel faster in higher seas states.
The Office of Naval Research has developed a new augmented reality training system, which includes 'optical see-through' glasses that enable warfighters to turn any environment into a training ground. The system aims to improve situational awareness and decision-making capabilities for Marines.
The Department of Navy announced 36 young investigators who will receive grants to fund research in various naval-relevant science and technology areas. The awardees, representing 31 institutions across the US, will receive funding for laboratory equipment, graduate student stipends, and other expenses.
Researchers focus on olfactory and cognitive optimization to improve canines' scent recognition and memory. The goal is to expand their recognition of odors within diverse elements and in what ratios, as well as determine how long they retain scent memory.
The LOCUST program demonstrates autonomous collaborative behavior in defensive or offensive missions using information-sharing between UAVs. The technology enables swarms of compact UAVs to take off from various platforms, providing a cost-effective and reduced-risk combat power multiplication.
The Office of Naval Research has developed an automated process to make F-35 canopies, saving $125 million over the life of the program. The new method uses a control system with cameras to ensure uniform shape formation and eliminates worker exposure to hot ovens.
Dr. Mark Hersam, an ONR-supported scientist, has won a $625,000 MacArthur Fellowship for his work on graphene and nanoelectronics, which could lead to advancements in electronics, medical devices, and renewable energy for the Navy. The award recognizes his exceptional creativity and promise for future breakthroughs.
The Fleet Integrated Synthetic Training/Testing Facility (FIST2FAC) enables affordable, adaptive training for naval forces. Sailors can interact with artificially intelligent forces in various settings, developing strategies for complex missions and operations.
The Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System-Tropical Cyclone (COAMPS-TC) offers detailed intensity forecasts of tropical storms, improving accuracy for Navy and civilian officials. The new model will help predict a storm's strength from one to five days out, supporting fleet operations and disaster relief efforts.
The need for reliable, high-voltage shipboard power has become a matter of national security following the announcement of laser weapons on U.S. Navy ships. Researchers are developing cutting-edge technologies like silicon carbide-based transistors and transformers to improve power quality and reduce size and weight.
The Office of Naval Research has launched a collaborative initiative to use synthetic cells to help Sailors and Marines execute their missions. Researchers are developing genetically programmed cells that can detect chemicals and respond to signals, enabling the creation of 'smart' hybrid biological-robotic systems.
The Stress Resilience Training System (SRTS) app teaches Sailors and Marines to recognize their stress responses and manage them using biofeedback techniques. The app's field testing at the Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control could help prevent PTSD in warfighters, saving billions of dollars in medical costs.
The US Navy is accelerating its research efforts in the Arctic due to rapid changes in sea ice coverage. The recent summit brought together top officials from various government agencies to share scientific ideas and form new partnerships. Experts warn that these changes could have global environmental and socio-economic consequences.
The Navy chief advocates for quarterly S&T meetings with industry and academia partners to accelerate innovation. He highlights the importance of collaboration in developing new naval technologies, emphasizing that innovative solutions will benefit both the warfighter and taxpayers.
The DARPA director stresses the need for radical innovation and collaboration between government, academia, and industry to develop next-generation cruise missiles with autonomous guidance. This partnership is crucial for giving U.S. warfighters a decisive edge in future battles.
The Navy plans to reduce its fleet size and workforce due to sequestration, but will focus on investing in cutting-edge technologies like the Electromagnetic Railgun. This commitment to innovation is seen as crucial for maintaining the service's technological advantage.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has been honored with the ASM Materials Education Foundation's Pacesetter Award for its efforts to promote STEM education. The award highlights ONR's aggressive initiatives to address the critical shortage in the science and engineering workforce, including summer camps and teacher training programs.
The Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System (AACUS) aims to deliver supplies quickly and safely in hostile conditions using autonomous robotic helicopters. With a smartphone-like device, warfighters can control the aircraft's takeoff, flight, and landing.
The Office of Naval Research is advancing an augmented-reality project to change the way warfighters view operational environments. The system will allow trainees to view simulated images superimposed on real-world landscapes, providing a revolutionary training capability with reduced costs and increased flexibility.
The Office of Naval Research has recognized five engineers for their work on the electromagnetic railgun, a long-range weapons system that fires projectiles using electricity. The team's achievements include two world record launches and significant advancements to the launcher technology.
The Office of Naval Research's PROMIS tool allows command staff to submit human research protocols and track studies. The system provides a centralized database for the nation's first Defense Department-wide tracking of human subject studies.
Researchers are developing small UAVs that can navigate complex environments, such as forests and urban settings, at high speeds. By studying birds' flight strategies and behavioral processes, scientists aim to create compact platforms with limited sensing that can safely move through challenging environments.
The Navy's Universal Gateway collapses 30 network connections into a single portal, automating data integration and enhancing information assurance. This improves the accuracy of real-time information for warfighters, reducing errors and increasing efficiency.