Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)
Funds U.S. university-led multidisciplinary basic research teams working on DoW-relevant future challenges, with awards up to $7.5 million.
⚑ Open only to U.S. institutions of higher education with degree-granting science and/or engineering programs; foreign entities, industry, DoW laboratories, and FFRDCs may collaborate but may not receive funds directly or via subaward. · UARC eligible only if it is part of a U.S. institution of higher education and not designated as an FFRDC.
This is a basic-research defense science solicitation centered on technical multidisciplinary work in areas like materials, computing, and AI, which is far outside IPPRA’s core program of public opinion, risk perception, warning communication, and policy evaluation. The team could perhaps contribute a small human-factors or survey component, but none of the listed members has a primary research line that matches a MURI as a PI-led effort.
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 | 15 none | deep-tech content; no commercialization signal |
Description
Established in 1985, the Department of War Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program funds U.S. academic research teams to conduct high-impact basic research that addresses future challenges faced by the Department of War. The MURI program specifically supports U.S. university teams investigating complex, DoW-relevant problem sets at the intersection of multiple scientific disciplines. MURI teams bring together world-class faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students—helping to develop a technically advanced, defense-aware scientific workforce and strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base.
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 DoW institutions of higher education. To the extent that it is a 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, DoW 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: Veronica Lacey Grantor <veronica.y.lacey.civ@us.navy.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.