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Twelve Finalists Selected by ONR for CNR Challenge

For Immediate Release: Sep 23, 2008

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - September 22, 2008 – The Office of Naval Research (ONR) announced today that 12 white paper submissions are finalists in the 2008 Chief of Naval Research (CNR) Challenge. The CNR Challenge offers monetary reward for the best and brightest Science and Technology (S&T) ideas that could significantly contribute to our future military force capabilities.

This year’s ideas were brought to ONR during the 2008 ONR Naval Science and Technology Partnership Conference, which took place 12-14 August at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The more than 200 white paper submissions underwent a thorough review and consideration by subject matter experts who were charged with a mission to select 10. The high caliber of this year’s submissions led the panel of experts to increase the numbers to 12 and make the million-dollar challenge a 1.2 million-dollar investment.

“The large quantity of great ideas received this year underscores how ONR is perceived as a leader in the S&T world and as the place to go with good ideas and innovative concepts,” said Dr. Walter Jones, ONR Executive Director. “The selection of the best ideas was the real challenge, and we are pleased to move on to the next steps with the candidates --- investing in those that show real promise to support building the future Navy and Marine Corps.”

Each contestant focused their idea on the overarching conference theme, “Sustaining the Edge: Serving the Next Generation Warfighter … Now.” Eligibility for CNR Challenge finalists was driven by the requirement to demonstrate potential and relevance to one of the key themes emphasized at the conference: Fighting at Hypervelocity and Light Speed; Next Generation Hull, Propulsion and Power; Dominating the Electromagnetic Spectrum; Dominating the Battle in Littorals; Out-Thinking and Out-Adapting the Enemy; and Adaptable Autonomous Systems.

Next steps in this process: winners will be officially notified of their selection as finalists. Then their 100K proposal submission requirements must be made against ONR’s long-range Broad Agency Announcement prior to ONR announcing names of the winners.

--USN--

For information about ONR, please visit: www.onr.navy.mil

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.