Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) | N001425SF002

Opportunity Information: Apply for N001425SF002

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) under CFDA 12.300. The program is designed to fund high-risk, high-reward basic research that aims to uncover fundamentally new understanding or enable capabilities that have not been achieved before. MURI has a long track record (about 40 years) of producing major scientific breakthroughs, with impacts that extend beyond defense into broader scientific progress, economic growth, and the creation of disruptive military technologies.

A defining feature of the MURI model is that projects are closely managed by DoD Service Program Officers, who take an active role in guiding the research. This hands-on technical management is presented as a key reason the program reliably delivers high-impact outcomes. Topic areas and additional guidance are referenced as being available in Section I (Other Information), which is where applicants should look for the specific research themes, expectations, and any topic-specific constraints tied to this solicitation.

Eligibility is tightly limited. Only U.S. institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering may submit proposals, including DoD institutions of higher education. University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) may participate and can submit proposals or receive funds only if they are part of a U.S. university and are not designated as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). Organizations that are not eligible to receive MURI funding include industry, DoD laboratories, FFRDCs, and foreign entities. Those ineligible organizations may still collaborate scientifically on the research, but they cannot receive MURI funds, either directly or through a subaward arrangement, meaning the financial support must remain within the eligible university structure.

The funding instrument for this opportunity is a grant, categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number N001425SF002, with a creation date of March 21, 2025, and an original closing date of September 5, 2025. The provided source information does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would need to consult the full announcement for details on typical funding levels, project duration, budget rules, cost sharing expectations (if any), and submission requirements.

• 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) 2026 Department of Defense 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 2025-03-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for N001425SF002

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