Funder: Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Due Dates: November 6, 2026 (White paper questions) | November 20, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (Optional white papers) | March 12, 2027 (Proposal questions) | April 9, 2027, 5:00 PM ET (Proposals)
Funding Amounts: Up to $15 million per award; typical funding up to $1.5 million annually; three-year base plus two-year option
Summary: Supports multidisciplinary U.S. university teams conducting high-risk basic science and engineering research relevant to future defense needs.
Key Information: Only eligible U.S. universities may apply or receive MURI funds; ineligible collaborators cannot receive direct funding or subawards.
Description
The Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) supports high-impact basic research at the intersection of multiple scientific disciplines. Sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Army Research Office (ARO), and Office of Naval Research (ONR), the program seeks fundamental advances addressing complex problems relevant to future defense needs. It supports high-risk research aimed at understanding or achieving something not previously accomplished, rather than developing applied technologies or prototypes.
University teams bring together faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students, including investigators from different universities where the necessary expertise is distributed. The FY 2027 competition covers 16 specified research topics across physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences. Innovative approaches addressing those topics are encouraged, alongside research training that develops a technically advanced, defense-aware scientific workforce.
