What Does ONR Do?

Total employees526
HeadquartersArlington
FoundedN/A

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is an organization within the United States Department of the Navy responsible for the science and technology programs of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Established by an Act of Congress in 1946, ONR discovers, develops, and delivers innovative technological solutions to empower present and future naval forces. It manages a broad portfolio of research, from basic scientific inquiry to advanced technology development, across a wide range of disciplines critical to naval operations and national security.

Where Is ONR's Headquarters?

HQ Function

Serves as the central command for planning, managing, and executing the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps' science and technology programs. It coordinates research efforts, allocates funding, and oversees a global network of researchers and partners.

Notable Features:

Located in the One Liberty Center building in the Ballston area of Arlington, a modern office complex known for its accessibility and proximity to other key defense and technology organizations.

Work Culture:

The work culture at ONR headquarters emphasizes innovation, scientific rigor, collaboration, and a mission-driven approach to supporting naval superiority. It brings together civilian scientists, engineers, uniformed personnel, and administrative staff in a professional and intellectually stimulating environment.

HQ Significance:

The Arlington headquarters is significant as the nerve center for naval research and development, shaping the technological future of the Navy and Marine Corps. Its location in the National Capital Region allows for crucial inter-agency coordination and engagement with policymakers.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters reflects ONR's commitment to cutting-edge research, strategic planning, and efficient management of resources to advance naval capabilities and national security.

Location:

ONR maintains a significant global presence through its ONR Global program, with offices strategically located in key international hubs including London, Tokyo, Singapore, Prague, Santiago, and Sao Paulo. These offices support international science and technology collaboration, identify emerging technologies worldwide, fund international research grants, and facilitate engagement between U.S. Navy/Marine Corps S&T personnel and the global scientific community. This network enables ONR to tap into global innovation and foster partnerships that advance naval research priorities.

Street Address:

875 North Randolph Street

City:

Arlington

State/Province:

VA

Country:

USA

Where Else Does ONR Operate Around the World?

London, United Kingdom

Address: ONR Global, U.S. Embassy London, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US, United Kingdom (or FPO AE 09499-0001)

To engage with the European, African, and Middle Eastern scientific communities, monitor technological advancements, and facilitate international research partnerships and exchanges.

Tokyo, Japan

Address: ONR Global, U.S. Embassy Tokyo, Unit 45004, Box 248, APO AP 96337-5004

To leverage scientific expertise and advancements in the Asia-Pacific region, fostering partnerships that enhance naval capabilities and address shared technological challenges.

Santiago, Chile

Address: ONR Global, U.S. Embassy Santiago, Av. Andrés Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile

To tap into the scientific and technological capabilities of South America, building relationships and supporting research that aligns with U.S. Navy and Marine Corps priorities.

Buying Intent Signals for ONR

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading ONR? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, ONR' leadership includes:

Rear Adm. Kurt J. Rothenhaus - Chief of Naval Research
Brig. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson - Vice Chief of Naval Research / Commanding General, Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
Dr. Thomas A. Drake - Executive Director (Acting) / Director of Innovation (Acting)
Mr. Frank H. Limcaco, SES - Comptroller, Office of Naval Research

Who's Investing in ONR?

ONR has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

The Office of Naval Research is a U.S. government agency funded primarily through congressional appropriations as part of the Department of Defense budget. It does not have private investors in the traditional sense.

What Leadership Changes Has ONR Seen Recently?

Hire2
Exits2

Recent key leadership transitions at ONR include a new Chief of Naval Research appointed in late 2023 and changes in the Executive Director position in early 2024. These changes reflect the dynamic nature of leadership within Department of Defense organizations.

Departures

Rear Adm. Lorin C. Selby, Rear Adm. Lorin C. Selby completed his tour as Chief of Naval Research.
Dr. Patricia Gruber, Dr. Patricia Gruber departed her role as Executive Director to pursue other opportunities.

New Appointments:

Rear Adm. Kurt J. Rothenhaus, Rear Adm. Kurt J. Rothenhaus assumed command as the Chief of Naval Research.
Dr. Thomas A. Drake, Dr. Thomas A. Drake appointed as Acting Executive Director following Dr. Gruber's departure.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byONR?

Discover the tools ONR uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

ONR Email Formats and Examples

Email addresses at the Office of Naval Research, like many U.S. Navy organizations, typically follow a standardized format. The most common format involves the individual's first name and last name, often separated by a period, followed by '@us.navy.mil'. Variations might include a middle initial or a more specific ONR subdomain like '@onr.navy.mil' for some personnel, though '@us.navy.mil' is widely used for Navy-affiliated individuals.

[first].[last]@us.navy.mil or [first].[mi].[last]@us.navy.mil

Format

jane.doe@us.navy.mil or john.p.smith@us.navy.mil

Example

75%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About ONR?

Office of Naval ResearchMay 15, 2024

Office of Naval Research Program Manager Recognized for AI Contributions to Warfighter

Dr. Brett Vaughan, an ONR program manager, received an award for his significant contributions to advancing artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for naval warfighters....more

Office of Naval ResearchApril 17, 2024

Office of Naval Research Promotes STEM Education at Local Middle School Event

ONR participated in a STEM event at a local middle school, engaging students with hands-on activities and demonstrations to inspire future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics relevant to naval needs....more

Office of Naval ResearchMarch 27, 2024

Office of Naval Research Global and Chile Unveil Partnership to Boost Maritime Research

ONR Global and the Chilean Navy have initiated a new cooperative agreement to enhance maritime domain awareness and oceanographic research, leveraging Chile's extensive coastline and unique Antarctic proximity....more

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