Opportunity Information: Apply for N0001426SF002
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) is a discretionary federal grant competition administered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Established in 1985, the MURI program is designed to fund high-impact basic research that can shape how the Department of War addresses future challenges. The core idea is to support ambitious research efforts that are too complex for a single discipline, so proposals are expected to bring together multiple scientific and engineering fields to tackle a shared DoW-relevant problem set.
This opportunity specifically targets U.S. academic research teams based at eligible universities. The program emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration within a university-led team, typically involving senior faculty leadership along with significant participation by postdoctoral researchers and graduate students. Beyond generating new scientific knowledge, the program explicitly aims to build a technically advanced, defense-aware workforce and strengthen the broader U.S. defense industrial base by training researchers whose work is informed by defense needs while remaining in the realm of basic research.
Eligibility is tightly limited. Only U.S. institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering may submit proposals, including DoW institutions of higher education. A University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) can submit and/or receive MURI funding only if it is part of a U.S. institution of higher education and is not designated as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). Organizations that are not eligible to apply, such as industry, DoW laboratories, FFRDCs, and foreign entities, are allowed to collaborate scientifically on the research effort, but they cannot receive MURI funds either directly or through a subaward. In practical terms, that means the university must be the applicant and the funded entity, and any participation by ineligible partners must be structured without transferring grant dollars to them.
From a funding standpoint, this is a grant mechanism under a science and technology / research and development activity category (CFDA/Assistance Listing 12.300). The posted award ceiling is $7,500,000 per award, signaling that ONR expects large, team-based projects rather than small single-investigator efforts. The notice lists the expected number of awards as not specified. The opportunity number is N0001426SF002, and the original closing date is April 9, 2027. The opportunity record was created on September 21, 2026.
Overall, this MURI competition is best understood as a university-only, high-dollar, basic research program intended for multidisciplinary teams pursuing foundational advances that align with long-range defense priorities, with strict rules that keep the funding inside eligible U.S. universities even when outside organizations contribute to the research in unfunded or otherwise non-subaward roles.Apply for N0001426SF002
- The Office of Naval Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.300.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-09-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-04-09.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $7,500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FAQs: FY 2027 Department of War Multidisciplinary Research Program (MURI) - University Research Initiative
What is this grant opportunity?
This is the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI), a discretionary federal grant competition administered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
What is the purpose of the MURI program?
The MURI program is designed to fund high-impact basic research that can shape how the Department of War addresses future challenges. It supports ambitious research efforts that are too complex for a single discipline and therefore require integrated, multidisciplinary approaches.
When was the MURI program established?
The MURI program was established in 1985.
Who administers this competition?
The competition is administered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
What kind of research does this opportunity support?
This opportunity supports basic research, with an emphasis on high-impact foundational advances. Projects are expected to be multidisciplinary and aligned with long-range Department of War-relevant problem sets and priorities.
What does "multidisciplinary" mean in this context?
In this context, multidisciplinary means proposals are expected to bring together multiple scientific and engineering fields to work on a shared Department of War-relevant problem set, rather than being confined to a single discipline or narrow specialty area.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only U.S. institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering may submit proposals, including Department of War institutions of higher education.
Are Department of War institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Department of War institutions of higher education are included among eligible applicants, as long as they meet the requirement of being U.S. degree-granting institutions with science and/or engineering programs.
Can a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) apply or receive funds?
A UARC can submit and/or receive MURI funding only if it is part of a U.S. institution of higher education and is not designated as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC).
Are Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) eligible to apply or receive funding?
No. FFRDCs are not eligible to apply, and they may not receive MURI funds directly or through a subaward.
Can industry submit a proposal?
No. Industry organizations are not eligible to apply to this opportunity.
Can Department of War laboratories apply?
No. Department of War laboratories are not eligible to apply to this opportunity.
Can foreign entities apply?
No. Foreign entities are not eligible to apply to this opportunity.
Can ineligible organizations collaborate on the research?
Yes. Organizations that are not eligible to apply (such as industry, Department of War laboratories, FFRDCs, and foreign entities) are allowed to collaborate scientifically on the research effort.
Can ineligible collaborators receive grant funds as a subaward or in any other way?
No. Ineligible organizations cannot receive MURI funds, either directly or through a subaward. Participation by ineligible partners must be structured so that no MURI grant dollars are transferred to them.
Does the funding have to stay within the university?
Yes. In practical terms, the university must be the applicant and the funded entity, and any participation by ineligible partners must be arranged without transferring MURI funds to those partners.
Who is this program aimed at (in terms of team composition)?
The opportunity targets U.S. academic research teams based at eligible universities. It emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration within a university-led team, typically involving senior faculty leadership along with significant participation by postdoctoral researchers and graduate students.
Does the program include workforce development goals?
Yes. Beyond generating new scientific knowledge, the program explicitly aims to build a technically advanced, defense-aware workforce by training researchers whose work is informed by defense needs while remaining in the realm of basic research.
How does this program relate to the defense industrial base?
The program aims to strengthen the broader U.S. defense industrial base by training researchers and building capacity through university-led basic research that is informed by defense needs.
What is the funding mechanism?
The opportunity uses a grant mechanism and is categorized under science and technology / research and development activities.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 12.300.
What is the maximum award amount?
The posted award ceiling is $7,500,000 per award.
Does the award ceiling suggest a particular project scale?
Yes. The $7,500,000 ceiling signals that ONR expects large, team-based projects rather than small, single-investigator efforts.
How many awards will be made?
The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided information.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is N0001426SF002.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date is April 9, 2027.
When was the opportunity record created?
The opportunity record was created on September 21, 2026.
Is this best understood as a university-only competition?
Yes. Based on the eligibility rules and funding restrictions, this is a university-only, high-dollar basic research program where the funding must remain within eligible U.S. universities, even if outside organizations contribute to the research in non-funded roles.
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