The Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) supports basic research of potential interest to the Department of Defense (DoD). Sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Army Research Office (ARO), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), this program fosters multidisciplinary research teams that bring together diverse scientific expertise to advance knowledge and address DoD priorities. MURI projects are closely managed by DoD Program Officers and historically have contributed significantly to scientific breakthroughs and military technologies.

This funding opportunity focuses on high-risk, high-reward basic research that addresses fundamental phenomena without specific immediate applications, as defined by the DoD Financial Management Regulation. The program funds multidisciplinary research efforts that span more than one traditional discipline. The aim is to enhance DoD capabilities and foster advancements in science and engineering. A full list of specific research topics, organized by sponsoring agency, is provided in the NOFO (Section I.1), and applicants are strongly encouraged to engage with designated Research Topic Chiefs before submitting proposals.

Approximately $170 million is estimated for grants awarded through this NOFO over five years, with typical annual funding per award up to $1.5 million. The total recommended funding per project is up to $7.5 million over a five-year period, depending on the sponsoring agency's structure and availability of funds. Each project is expected to involve a Principal Investigator (PI) and a team from one or more institutions of higher education, with one institution serving as the primary awardee.

Only U.S. institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering are eligible to apply. DoD institutions of higher education and University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) that are not Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) may also apply. Industry, DoD laboratories, foreign entities, and FFRDCs may collaborate but cannot receive MURI funds directly or via subawards. There is no limitation on the number of applications an institution may submit. Cost sharing is not required and will not impact evaluation.

The application process includes two key stages: submission of white papers and full proposals. White papers are optional but strongly encouraged and are due by May 2, 2025. Applicants will be notified by June 13, 2025, whether a full proposal is encouraged. Final applications are due by September 5, 2025, with an anticipated award notification by January 2026 and project start date of May 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov, with white papers submitted through agency-specific platforms such as FedConnect (ONR), email or USPS (ARO), or APAN (AFOSR). Applications must comply with extensive technical, budgetary, ethical, and compliance requirements as outlined in the NOFO.

For questions, applicants should contact the respective agency's technical or business point of contact. Technical questions should be directed to the Research Topic Chiefs identified in Section I.1. General policy inquiries can be directed to Dr. Amanda Netburn (ONR), Dr. Sue Kase (ARO), or Ms. Katie Wisecarver (AFOSR). Business questions should be addressed to Veronica Lacey (ONR), Ramila Century (ARO), or Jorge Gallegos (AFOSR).