Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War (DoW) Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)
🏛 Air Force Office of Scientific Research
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for multidisciplinary research conducted by U.S. universities. Only degree-granting institutions in science and engineering can apply, including DoD institutions of higher education. University-affiliated research centers (UARCs) that are not FFRDCs may also apply. Industry, DoD laboratories, federally funded research centers, and foreign entities cannot receive funds directly but may collaborate.
Research teams must be multidisciplinary. The program targets high-risk, high-payoff scientific research aligned with Air Force priorities. Projects typically require substantial institutional commitment and infrastructure.
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Program description
Agency Name:
Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Description:
See full announcement in Related Documents folder for detailed descriptions of the SPECIFIC MURI TOPICS.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- AFOSR MURI proposal (see full announcement for format)
- Project narrative and technical approach
- Detailed budget and budget justification
- Curriculum vitae for all key personnel
- Letters of commitment from participating institutions
- Conflict of interest disclosures
- Data management plan
Program contact
- 👤 HOLLY E THOMAS Grantor
- 📧 afosr.rtb.muri@us.af.mil
- 📞 7036967347
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.800 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$702,109,658
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$536,656,761
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$348,044,513
-
$142,187,360
-
$139,955,119
-
$76,955,949
-
$61,554,981
-
$49,606,438
-
$41,621,494
-
$41,026,997
Top States by Funding
- CA 17 awards $132.7M
- OH 4 awards $99.2M
- MA 6 awards $63.2M
- TX 4 awards $32.0M
- PA 4 awards $31.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.800). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $874,454,904 | |
| 2025 | $652,065,758 | |
| 2026 est. | $700,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this MURI grant?
U.S. universities with science and engineering degree programs can apply. University-affiliated research centers (UARCs) that are not FFRDCs are also eligible.
Can industry partners participate?
Industry can collaborate on the research but cannot receive MURI funds directly. They may participate as subawardees under restrictions.
What research areas are fundable?
Specific MURI topics are announced in the solicitation. Check the full announcement for current year research focus areas.
What is the typical award size?
Individual awards can reach up to $15,000,000 for multidisciplinary teams. The exact amount depends on proposal scope and review outcomes.
What is the deadline?
The FY2027 MURI deadline is April 9, 2027. Mark your calendar early as this is a fixed, competitive deadline.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Form a genuinely multidisciplinary team spanning multiple science/engineering disciplines before writing. This is a core requirement, not optional.
- Start early and contact your institution's research office immediately. Large universities may have internal deadlines months before the federal deadline.
- Align your research vision directly with stated Air Force scientific priorities. Generic proposals rank poorly in highly competitive selection.
- Request strong institutional commitment letters. MURI expects sustained support for team infrastructure and graduate students across project years.
- Build a detailed, realistic budget showing phased milestones. Reviewers scrutinize spending plans for $15M+ awards carefully.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Assembling a team that lacks true disciplinary diversity. Single-discipline or weakly-integrated proposals are rejected immediately. Not addressing explicit Air Force research topics listed in the full announcement. Generic research plans without clear Air Force relevance fail competitive review.
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