The Department of Defense provides the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security.
The grant program by NSWCDD focuses on Basic and Applied Research Opportunity Areas, specifically targeting college and university student and faculty research projects. The goals are to encourage research in key technological areas such as Hypersonics, Software Engineering, Quantum Computing and Sensing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Unmanned Systems and Autonomy, Safety Systems, Human Systems Integration, and Warfare System Development and Integration. This includes a wide range of specific interests such as cybersecurity, directed energy, sensor systems, materials, chemical, biological, radiological defense, and high-powered microwaves. Proposals are sought for both general research and novel research projects with a special emphasis on developing future naval scientists and engineers, suggesting a long-term goal of steering students towards careers in naval engineering and contributing to the nation's defense capabilities.