W911NF26S1000 (FY 2027) Department of the Army—Materiel Command MURI Grant: Up to $7.5M Cooperative Agreement for U.S. Universities

Deadline: 20-Nov-2026

The Department of the Army—Materiel Command is offering the FY 2027 Department of War (DoW) Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) under funding opportunity number W911NF26S1000. This is a cooperative agreement grant supporting high-risk basic research in science and engineering, with an estimated total program funding of $170,000,000 and an award ceiling of $7,500,000. The application deadline shown in the verified editorial record is 20-Nov-2026. The Army Research Office (ARO) describes the DoD’s MURI program as addressing high-risk basic research—research that attempts to understand or achieve something that has never been done before. The program is intended to support multidisciplinary research efforts and is managed closely by Service Program Officers, who provide research guidance during the project lifecycle. The source notes that the program has been in place for about 40 years and has produced scientific breakthroughs with downstream implications for science, economic growth, and new military technologies. This opportunity is structured as a Cooperative Agreement Grant. Key funding details provided in the source include: The source does not specify additional non-monetary benefits or restrictions beyond the eligibility and collaboration rules described below. This MURI competition is open only to U.S. institutions of higher education (universities) with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering, including DoD institutions of higher education. Additional eligibility details from the source: The source describes the program’s intent and research character rather than listing a fixed set of topics directly in the provided text. It emphasizes: The source indicates that topic descriptions and more information are available in a referenced document (topic descriptions are referenced via a link in the page text), but the specific topics are not included in the provided article text. Applicants should consult the official announcement for the detailed topic areas. For eligible U.S. universities and qualifying research centers, this MURI competition supports ambitious, high-risk basic research with the potential to generate foundational scientific breakthroughs. The program’s emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches and close management by Service Program Officers is designed to help guide research toward novel scientific and technology-relevant outcomes. The provided source text includes key application timing and submission constraints, but it does not include the full step-by-step application instructions or a direct application link. What is the funding opportunity number for this MURI grant? The funding opportunity number is W911NF26S1000. Who can apply for this MURI competition? Only U.S. institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering may submit proposals. Eligible UARCs may also submit/receive funds if they are part of a U.S. institution of higher education and are not an FFRDC. (Industry, DoD labs, FFRDCs, and foreign entities may collaborate but cannot receive MURI funds directly or via subaward.) What is the maximum award amount? The award ceiling is $7,500,000. The source does not specify a fixed award amount. Is cost sharing required? No. The source states Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No. What is the estimated total funding for the program? The source lists Estimated Total Program Funding: $170,000,000. When is the application deadline? The source page states applications must be received no later than 09 April 2027 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. The verified editorial record lists 20-Nov-2026; the provided text does not explain the difference, so applicants should confirm the authoritative deadline in the official announcement. Where can I find the full application instructions? The provided text does not include the full instructions or required documents. Applicants should consult the official Grants.gov opportunity page and the full announcement linked there. Review the official Grants.gov opportunity page for W911NF26S1000 and the full announcement materials (including the referenced topic descriptions) to confirm the authoritative deadline, required proposal content, and submission requirements. If you are a qualifying U.S. university or eligible UARC, align your project concept with the program’s focus on high-risk basic research and multidisciplinary approaches, while ensuring that only eligible entities receive MURI funds.