Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War (DoW) Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)
This program funds high-risk basic research projects led by U.S. universities in science and engineering, with military-relevant multidisciplinary teams and DoW program officer oversight.
⚑ University-only competition: only U.S. institutions of higher education with degree-granting science and/or engineering programs may apply directly. · UARC eligible if part of a U.S. institution of higher education and not designated an FFRDC. · Non-university entities may collaborate but may not receive funds directly or via subaward. · DoD institutions of higher education are eligible applicants.
MURI is a basic-research defense science program aimed at high-risk technical breakthroughs in materials, AI, and communications, which is far outside IPPRA’s social-behavioral survey/policy/evaluation lines. This team might only be tangentially relevant if a topic included public opinion or human factors, but as stated it is not their PI-level program.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-09-22
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds basic research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | portfolio topic: national_security_defense (primary); social/behavioral work is minor; funds basic research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
Army Research Office (ARO):
DoW's MURI program addresses high-risk basic research and attempts to understand or achieve something that has never been done before. The program was initiated 40 years ago and it has regularly produced significant scientific breakthroughs with far reaching consequences to the fields of science, economic growth, and revolutionary new military technologies. Key to the program’s success is the close management of the MURI projects by Service Program Officers and their active role in providing research guidance.
See Section I. Other Information for topic descriptions and more information.
Eligibility
This MURI competition is open only to, and proposals are to be submitted only by, U.S. institutions of higher education (universities) with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering, including DoD institutions of higher education. To the extent that it is part of a U.S. institution of higher education and is not designated as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) is eligible to submit a proposal to this MURI competition and/or receive MURI funds. Ineligible organizations (e.g., industry, DoD laboratories, FFRDCs, and foreign entities) may collaborate on the research but may not receive MURI funds directly or via subaward.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Ramila Century Grantor <usarmy.rtp.devcom-arl.mbx.aro-muri@army.mil>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Department of Defense (BAA-style) conventions SEE A DOD EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Department of Defense (BAA-style)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.