Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (FY22 Air Force Submission)

Background
The Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) is sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) research offices, including the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Army Research Office (ARO), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). The program addresses high-risk basic research and aims to achieve scientific breakthroughs with far-reaching consequences to science, economic growth, and revolutionary new military technologies.

Grant Details
The MURI program supports basic research in science and engineering at U.S. institutions of higher education, focusing on multidisciplinary research efforts where more than one traditional discipline interacts to provide rapid advances in scientific areas of interest to the DoD. The FY 2022 MURI competition includes topics such as Social Network-Transcendent Behavioral Dynamics, Microelectronic Test Science Exploiting Latent Energy and Electromagnetic Radiation, Cavity Molecular Polaritons, and others. Proposals from a team of university investigators are encouraged when addressing multiple facets of the topics that may reside in different universities.

Eligibility Requirements
The MURI competition is open only to U.S. institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering, including DoD institutions of higher education. Ineligible organizations may collaborate on the research but may not receive MURI funds directly or via subaward.

Period of Performance
The total amount of funding for the five years available for grants resulting from this MURI FOA is estimated to be approximately $190 million dollars pending out-year appropriations. Typical annual funding per grant is in the $1.25M to $1.5M range.