Funder: Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command
Due Dates: May 2, 2025 (White Papers, optional but strongly recommended) | September 5, 2025 (Full Proposals)
Funding Amounts: Up to $7,500,000 per award over 5 years; typical annual funding up to $1.5M per project; total program funding estimated at $170M.
Summary: Supports high-risk, multidisciplinary basic research by university teams to achieve groundbreaking scientific advances relevant to national security and military technology.
Key Information: White papers are optional but strongly encouraged; only U.S. degree-granting universities are eligible to apply as lead institutions.
Description
The Department of Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program, administered by the Army Research Office, funds high-risk, multidisciplinary basic research projects that aim to achieve significant scientific breakthroughs with potential for revolutionary impact on science, technology, and military capabilities. The program is designed to foster collaboration among teams of investigators from different disciplines and institutions, addressing complex research topics that require integrated expertise.
The FY2026 MURI program covers a broad range of scientific and engineering topics of interest to the DoD, with detailed topic descriptions provided in the solicitation. The program is highly competitive and emphasizes close management and guidance by DoD Service Program Officers.
Due Dates
- White Papers (optional but strongly recommended): May 2, 2025, 5:00 PM Eastern
- Full Proposals: September 5, 2025, 5:00 PM Eastern
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit white papers to receive feedback and improve the likelihood of a successful full proposal.
Funding Amount
- Award Ceiling: Up to $7,500,000 per project over five years
- Typical Annual Funding: Up to $1.5M per year per award
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $170,000,000 (subject to appropriations)
- Number of Awards: Not specified; multiple awards possible per topic
Funding is contingent on topic, scope, and availability of funds. See the solicitation for recommended funding profiles and topic-specific limits.
Eligibility
- Eligible Lead Applicants: U.S. institutions of higher education (universities) with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering, including DoD institutions of higher education.
- Eligible Collaborators: University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) that are part of a U.S. university and not designated as FFRDCs.
- Ineligible for Direct Funding: Industry, DoD laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and foreign entities. These organizations may participate as collaborators but cannot receive MURI funds directly or via subaward.
- Citizenship: U.S. institutions only; no citizenship requirement for individual researchers, but foreign entities cannot receive funds.
- No limit on the number of applications per institution.
Application Process
1. White Paper Submission (Optional but Strongly Recommended)
- Purpose: Receive feedback from the Research Topic Chief to gauge the suitability of the proposed research.
- Format: 4 pages max (excluding cover, references, CVs); see solicitation for required content.
- Submission:
- For ARO topics: Email directly to the Research Topic Chief or via postal/commercial carrier.
- For ONR/AFOSR topics: See agency-specific instructions in the solicitation.
2. Full Proposal Submission
- Deadline: September 5, 2025, 5:00 PM Eastern
- Submission Portal: Grants.gov
- Required Forms: SF-424 (R&R), project abstract, technical proposal (25 pages max), budget, biosketches, current and pending support, and other standard attachments.
- Validation: Applications must be validated by Grants.gov by the deadline (can take up to 48 hours after submission).
- Recommendation: Submit at least 2 business days before the deadline.
3. Review and Selection
- Proposals are evaluated on scientific merit, potential for advancing fundamental understanding, DoD relevance, team qualifications, facilities, and cost realism.
- Risk-based security reviews are conducted for all covered individuals.
- Awards are subject to availability of funds and DoD priorities.
Additional Information
- Research Topics: The solicitation includes a comprehensive list of specific research topics. Applicants should review Section I. Other Information for detailed topic descriptions and contact information for Topic Chiefs.
- Cost Sharing: Not required and not a review factor, but voluntary cost sharing may be considered.
- Compliance: Proposals must comply with DoD and federal regulations regarding export control, human subjects, animal use, and biosafety as applicable.
- Reporting: Awardees must comply with DoD reporting requirements, including progress and financial reports.
External Links
- Official Grants.gov Opportunity Page (W911NF25S0004)
- DEVCOM ARL All Funding Announcements
- FY26 MURI Full Solicitation (PDF)
- Army Research Office MURI Page
- System for Award Management (SAM)
- DoD Terms and Conditions
Contact Information
| Contact Type | Name/Email | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Program (ARO) | Dr. Sue Kase usarmy.rtp.devcom-arl.mbx.aro-muri@army.mil | |
| Business (ARO) | Ramila Century ramila.century.civ@army.mil | |
| General Inquiries | Contact AMC | (256)-450-9422 |
| Technical (per topic) | See solicitation topic list for Topic Chief contacts |