The Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education Information Sciences portfolio is dedicated to supporting the Naval enterprise through a wide spectrum of research areas, including basic research, applied research, and advanced technology development. These efforts focus on enhancing various aspects such as metrics development; data ontology and integration; data mining; performance measurement and tracking; and application of machine learning and artificial intelligence. The ultimate goal is to optimize the performance of warfighters by improving manpower modeling, personnel screening, training effectiveness, and educational opportunities.
A fundamental guiding principle throughout the portfolio is a commitment to robust measurement principles, notably precision (reliability) and accuracy (validity), based in sound empirical science and methodological rigor. The program explores diverse learning and assessment methods, including mobile devices, extended reality technologies, integration of advanced data analytics, and commercially available physiological monitors, and their application in military contexts.
The overarching objectives are twofold: to equip the Naval forces with seasoned professionals capable of outthinking and outfighting any adversary in the ever-evolving operational landscape, while simultaneously minimizing unplanned losses and bolstering retention rates. This mission relies on unified partnerships with key stakeholders, including OPNAV N1, OPNAV N7, Naval Education and Training Command, Naval Personnel Command, Naval Reserve Forces, as well as the Type Commands and Systems Commands.
Research Concentration Areas
- Data and Information Sciences for Manpower, Personnel, and Training
- Measurement and Assessment of Complex Human Behavior and Performance, including the study of harmful and/or counterproductive behaviors
- Personnel Screening, Selection, and Classification
- Understanding and Developing Intellectual Readiness for Novel Challenges
- Talent Management and Manpower Modeling
Research Challenges and Opportunities
- Enhance the understanding of the psychometric properties required for selecting and assessing high-performance individuals in military settings.
- Improve analytical methodologies to understand and predict human behavior using real-world data that is often unstructured, interdependent, and complex.
- Explore innovative and emerging technologies for real-time monitoring, feedback, and adaptation to individual performance and behavioral responses to social and operational stressors.
- Investigate the theories behind harmful social and counterproductive behaviors.
- Delve into the fundamentals of unit and team performance and behavioral health.
- Undertake research efforts to understand the underlying mechanisms that optimize an individual's intellectual readiness and adaptability to emerging military-relevant technologies, such as artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, and novel operational challenges.
For More Information
How to Submit
For detailed application and submission information for this research topic, please refer to our broad agency announcement (BAA) No. N0001425SB001.
Contracts: All white papers and full proposals for contracts must be submitted through FedConnect; instructions are included in the BAA.
Grants: All white papers for grants must be submitted through FedConnect, and full proposals for grants must be submitted through grants.gov; instructions are included in the BAA.