Physical Oceanography Planning Letter Submission

The Office of Naval Research (ONR)  Physical Oceanography team recognizes that the preparation of a full proposal is a time consuming and often costly proposition for the investigator. Before a full proposal is written, investigators are encouraged to write and submit planning letters for evaluation. These are not considered formal proposals but are informal communications.

Planning Letter Requirements

The planning letter in essence is an executive summary of the proposal you would like to write. It should:

• Identify principal and co-investigators with full mailing and e-mail addresses, and phone numbers for each.
• Contain a two-page written synopsis or executive summary of the proposed research, identifying the contributions of each investigator. We recommend that the investigators highlight what is new, groundbreaking or innovative about the proposed effort, and not worry about justifying its relevance to the Navy.
• Provide a paragraph indicating the estimated level of funding per year (two year efforts are typical) and any unusual costs involved (ship, aircraft, computer, etc.).
• Provide a page of references to the literature, as needed.
• Provide a one-page (maximum) resume per investigator.

Electronic Submission

All planning letters should be submitted electronically. Files should be submitted in M.S. Word or as .pdfs, and each submission should use the file name convention of “LastName_PO11_PL.doc” for FY11 planning letters submitted to the core Physical Oceanography program. For example an FY11 planning letter from Mary Sears submitted to the Physical Oceanography  program in Microsoft Word would become SEARS_PO11_PL.doc.

• Submit one copy electronically using ONR's online submission system, or "hopper"
• Mail two paper copies to: Physical Oceanography Program, Code 322, Office of Naval Research, 875 North Randolph Street, Suite 1425, Arlington, Va., 22203-1995

If you have problems accessing our electronic system you have to option of sending your planning letter to the address provided below.  We also recommend that you send an email to 322_PO@onr.navy.mil noting the date and title of your submitted planning.

Submissions to other noted efforts (e.g., the Early Student Support initiative) would use ESS11 rather than PO11. For example an FY11 Early Student Support planning letter submitted in by Vannevar Bush should be named BUSH_ESS11_PL.pdf. For multiple planning letters, please append a trailing number to the principal investigator's name (BUSH1, BUSH2, etc).

Response to Planning Letters

The Physical Oceanography program will evaluate each planning letter and provide feedback to the investigator on the probability of success if submitted. This evaluation is based on general factors, such as a reading of where the topic falls relative to program priorities, rather than a full review of the scientific merit. Our response will be to either (1) encourage preparation of a full proposal or (2) discourage a proposal.

Points of Contact

Questions may be addressed to:

Office of Naval Research
Physical Oceanography Program, Code 322
Ocean, Atmosphere and Space Research Division
875 North Randolph Street, Suite 1425
Arlington, Virginia 22203-1995  
Phone: 703-696-0521
E-mail: 322_PO@onr.navy.mil