The Naval Research Laboratory is seeking proposals that provide for recruitment, evaluation, and selection (in collaboration with NRL) of Post-Doctoral Research Associates/Fellows (Scientists and/or Engineers) of exceptional promise and ability who will be given the opportunity to pursue research opportunities, largely of their own choosing, that are compatible with the announced research interests of the Naval Research Laboratory. In collaboration with the Naval Research Laboratory, offerors will be required to provide administrative support that involves acting as the liaison between the participating post-docs and the government facility at which they are assigned to perform their proposed research. Administrative support functions include payment of stipends, travel, etc. and facilitating the assignments of the selected candidates. A cooperative agreement is the funding agreement that will be awarded to successful offerors. This cooperative agreement will have an ordering period of 1 January 2017 through 31 December 2021. All offers must have both an offer and a tenure date of no later than 31 December 2020. The last ordering year (1 January 2021 through 31 December 2021) will be necessary to carry out the administrative tasks still required by the fellows who are retained through the agreement completion date.The NRL Post Doc program is to provide public assistance to the recipients for supporting and stimulating the development of a strong cadre of high level U.S. scientific professionals that are needed to achieve and maintain U.S. scientific excellence and competitiveness.