Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)
🏛 Office of Naval Research
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for U.S. university teams conducting multidisciplinary basic research on defense-relevant challenges. Eligible applicants are U.S. institutions of higher education with science and engineering degree programs. University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) not designated as FFRDCs may apply. Industry, DoD labs, FFRDCs, and foreign entities cannot receive funds directly but may participate as collaborators.
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Program 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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Proposal narrative
- Budget and budget justification
- Letters of commitment from participating institutions
- Faculty CVs
- Research team description
- SF-424 (OMB form or equivalent)
Program contact
- 👤 Veronica Lacey Grantor
- 📧 veronica.y.lacey.civ@us.navy.mil
- 📞 9482150115
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.300 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$112,259,544
-
$105,351,914
-
$67,720,186
-
$45,173,989
-
$41,248,433
-
$40,990,349
-
$36,400,000
-
$35,239,016
-
$35,000,000
-
$33,852,529
Top States by Funding
- MA 7 awards $195.1M
- CA 11 awards $181.9M
- DC 8 awards $177.9M
- MD 3 awards $120.2M
- FL 7 awards $118.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.300). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $334,244,206 | |
| 2025 | $218,929,958 | |
| 2026 est. | $333,130,069 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this MURI grant?
U.S. universities with science and engineering degree programs. UARCs that are not FFRDCs may also apply.
Can industry or national labs be involved in the research?
Yes, they may collaborate. However, they cannot receive MURI funds directly or through subawards.
What kind of research does MURI fund?
High-impact basic research addressing Department of Defense challenges at the intersection of multiple scientific disciplines.
What is the typical award amount?
Award amounts can reach up to $7,500,000, though specific amounts vary by competition and research topic.
When is the deadline for FY 2027?
The deadline is April 9, 2027. Check the Office of Naval Research website for any updates closer to the submission date.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Assemble a truly multidisciplinary team spanning multiple science and engineering fields addressing the DoD challenge area.
- Demonstrate how your research fills a critical gap in DoD-relevant knowledge or capability.
- Include strong letters of commitment from all participating faculty and institutions.
- Clearly articulate the defense relevance and potential impact of your proposed research.
- Start planning early; MURI proposals are highly competitive and require significant institutional coordination.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Teams fail to demonstrate genuine interdisciplinary collaboration across distinct scientific domains. Proposals lack clear connection to actual DoD challenges or future defense needs. Applications underestimate the level of detail and institutional support letters needed for competitiveness.
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