History of the Research Announcement
The National Shipbuilding Research Program's (NSRP) goal is to reduce the naval shipbuilding construction and repair costs. To accomplish this, NSRP issues a Research Announcement solicitation that focuses on industry-wide implementation solutions to common cost drivers – solutions to consensus priority issues that exhibit a compelling business case to improve the efficiency of the U.S. Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Industry. To date, nine Research Announcements have been released over the 11 year life of the program. Each time a new Research Announcement is released, it is modified as necessary to reflect changes in industry and/or government priorities.

How does the Research Announcement Work?
The Research Announcement is issued to solicit proposals for research, development and implementation of best practices across the NSRP major initiative areas or specific interest areas. These major initiatives are described in detail in the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP). Specific Interest areas change with every release and can be found in the Research Announcement itself. Each proposal must be align with one or more major initiatives or specific interest areas to be considered for funding. Depending on the Research Annoucement, an abstract may need to be submitted prior to proposal submittal.

Each proposal must contain two pieces:

1. A Technical Proposal describing the nature and scope of the research, the technical approach and appropriate metrics to gage progress.
2. A Cost Proposal that provides sufficient cost information to substantiate that the proposed cost is realistic, reasonable and complete for the proposed work.

Specifics on technical and cost proposal requirements are available in the Proposal Preparation Kit.

Once a proposal is submitted, each technical and cost proposal is reviewed by a technical expert panel, an industry expert panel and then selected by the Executive Control Board. Once selected, a proposal is awarded funding.

How do I get Involved?
When a Research Annoucement is active, all information will be posted at www.nsrp.org and www.fbo.gov

Proposers are strongly advised to thoroughly review:

• Strategic Investment Plan - to gain a greater understanding of how your proposal ideas aligns with goals of the National Shipbuilding Program.
• Implementation Study - to gain insights into project attributes that enable or accelerate implementation and therefore tend to make for a more competitive proposal.

Additionally, potential proposers are reminded that there are several requirements incorporated in NSRP Research Announcements that merit particular attention, including teaming with US Shipyards (see Teaming Opportunities), specific cost share requirements and project metrics.

For additional information, please contact the NSRP Administrator.