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From Robotics to Lasers: Young Investigators Bring Big Promise, Get Big Awards

For Immediate Release: Feb 16, 2017

ARLINGTON, Va.—The today announced awards of $16 million through its 2017 Young Investigator Program (YIP). The awards were made to 33 scientists whose research holds strong promise across several naval-relevant science and technology areas.

“I am especially pleased to announce the Young Investigator Program recipients for 2017,” said Dr. Larry Schuette, ONR’s director of research. “For 32 years, this program has attracted the highest-quality researchers from across academia. It remains fiercely competitive and we are fortunate to have these top scientists working on behalf of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.”

This year’s candidates were selected from over 360 highly qualified applicants based on past performance, technical merit, potential scientific breakthrough and long-term university commitment. All are college and university faculty who have obtained tenure-track positions within the past five years.

Awardees represent 25 academic institutions nationwide, in disciplines ranging from robotics and lasers to nanomaterials and autonomous navigation. The YIP awards support laboratory equipment, graduate student stipends and scholarships, and other expenses critical to ongoing and planned investigational studies. Typical grants are $510,000 over a three-year period.

Introduced in 1985, the ONR YIP is one of the nation’s oldest and most selective scientific research advancement programs. Its purpose is to fund early-career academic researchers—called investigators—whose scientific pursuits show outstanding promise for supporting the Department of Defense, while also promoting their professional development.

View the list of 2017 Young Investigator awardees.

Check Out the 2017 Naval Future Force S&T Expo!

Registration is now open for the 2017 Naval Future Force Science and Technology Expo, co-sponsored by the and American Society of Naval Engineers. Scheduled for Jul. 20-21, the Expo is the Navy’s premier event to share information; discuss research opportunities; and build science and technology partnerships between the Navy and Marine Corps, industry and academia.

About the Office of Naval Research

The Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 55 countries, 634 institutions of higher learning and nonprofit institutions, and more than 960 industry partners. ONR, through its commands, including headquarters, ONR Global and the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., employs more than 3,800 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.