Slots: 3
Deadlines
Internal Deadline: Friday, January 31st, 2025, 5pm PT
LOI: N/A
External Deadline: March 17th, 2025
Award Information
Award Type: Grant
Anticipated Award Amount: NTIA will award up to $450,000,000 under this NOFO. The amount of funding NTIA expects to award per project differs by SRFA, as follows:
SRFA 1: NTIA expects to award $24,000,000-$50,000,000 per project.
SRFA 2: NTIA expects to award $9,000,000-$18,000,000 per project.
Who May Serve as PI: SRFA 1 applicants must meet the following requirements:
a) The applicant must be capable of developing, integrating, and commercially selling and/or deploying software solutions that leverage data and/or features made accessible through Open RAN interfaces for use by vertical industry customers. This capability must be demonstrated in application materials.
b) The applicant must partner with at least one entity to facilitate collaboration across the value chain. This collaboration is critical to expanding market opportunities for Open RAN suppliers and operators.
c) The applicant and their partner(s) must collectively be capable of fulfilling the three functions described below (also see Section 1.3.2). This capability must be demonstrated in application materials.
(1) Software Function: The project must include the design and integration of a software solution across a network, leveraging Open RAN components to access new or previously untapped sources of data or unique Open RAN innovations, such as the RIC.
(2) Vertical Function: The project must include vertical-specific expertise and requirements (i.e., for the use case that the solution will address) to ensure the solution meets the business needs of a potential customer.
(3) Network Function: The project must include a network in which the solution can be deployed to demonstrate its technical and commercial viability, with the potential for expansion into additional networks after the period of performance.
d) The applicant and partner(s) can be based in the U.S. or abroad. However, either the applicant or at least one partner must hold Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) in the U.S., its territories, and possessions. UBO will be validated by the SAM Registration or SF-328 of each party. If neither the applicant nor any partners meet the UBO requirement, the application will be disqualified.
Link to Award: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/357749
Process for Limited Submissions
PIs must submit their application as a Limited Submission through the Research Initiatives and Infrastructure (RII) Application Portal: https://rii.usc.edu/oor-portal/. Use the template provided here: RII Limited Submission Applicant Template
Materials to submit include:
- (1) Two-Page Proposal Summary (1” margins; single-spaced; standard font type, e.g. Arial, Helvetica, Times New Roman, or Georgia typeface; font size: 11 pt). Page limit includes references and illustrations. Pages that exceed the 2-page limit will be excluded from review. You must use the template linked above.
- (2) CV – (5 pages maximum)
Note: The portal requires information about the PIs in addition to department and contact information, including the 10-digit USC ID#. Please have this material prepared before beginning this application.
Purpose
This NOFO is the third in a series that NTIA will issue and administer under the Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund (Innovation Fund). This NOFO is divided into two topic areas: Industry Vertical Solutions and Integration Automation Solutions. Throughout this document, Industry Vertical Solutions is referred to as “specific research focus area 1” (SRFA 1) and Integration Automation Solutions is referred to as “specific research focus area 2” (SRFA 2). A brief description of each SRFA follows:
- SRFA 1 (Industry Vertical Solutions): Develop software solutions that leverage data made available through Open RAN interfaces and/or capitalize on Open RAN-specific innovations, such as the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), to generate energy efficiencies, cost savings, productivity gains, or other value for industry verticals (e.g., utilities, mining, manufacturing, unmanned aviation).
- SRFA 2 (Integration Automation Solutions): Develop software solutions that reduce the cost and complexity of multi-vendor integration through automation.
- A single application may only address one (1) SRFA. If an entity wishes to apply for funding under both SRFAs, separate applications must be submitted. Each application, however, may only contain one (1) project. Applicants may submit a maximum of three (3) applications under SRFA 1 and one (1) application under SRFA 2.
Visit our Institutionally Limited Submission webpage for more updates and other announcements.