TT4D: Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI): Why Apply and How TT4D Can Assist

by Jeff Decker, PhD and Nilay Papila, PhD Technology Transfer for Defense, Stanford University

Sep 17, 2025

The Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) is one of the most prestigious and well-funded basic and applied research grants for advancing science and technology. The program is tailored for teams that combine expertise from multiple disciplines, emphasizing the collaborative and integrative nature of the research. MURI aims to accelerate breakthrough solutions with tangible defense applications.

MURI awards are substantial, typically providing up to $1.5 million per year for a period of five years. This funding level allows research teams to pursue ambitious projects, acquire specialized equipment, and attract top-tier talent. Across the program, approximately $170 million in total funding is made available annually, highlighting the Defense Department’s commitment to advancing high-priority research areas.

Why You Should Apply

Scale and Impact: Few research programs provide funding at this level. These resources enable you to build a team, acquire cutting-edge equipment, and push beyond incremental advances.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: MURI offers an opportunity to design an interdisciplinary team to tackle problems in new ways. Joining forces across fields, like materials science, AI, quantum, biotech, will strengthen both your proposal and your science.
National Relevance: MURI positions your research at the forefront of defense priorities, increasing the visibility and long-term value of your work. It’s not just about discovery, it's about making a real-world impact.

Research under MURI spans several high-impact focus areas. Projects may explore advanced materials and manufacturing, quantum sciences, artificial intelligence and autonomy, biotechnology and human performance, among other defense-relevant technologies. By supporting work in these fields, MURI seeks to ensure that U.S. defense capabilities remain at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation.

Eligibility for MURI funding is open to US-based institutions of higher education, including those with degree-granting programs in science and engineering, as well as national laboratories and nonprofit research organizations.

Where TT4D Comes In

Applying for MURI is both an opportunity and a challenge. Proposals must stand out in a highly competitive field and align tightly with Department of Defense priorities. That’s where Technology Transfer for Defense (TT4D) can help:

Proposal Strategy - We help you interpret Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), identify the right fit for your team, and sharpen your narrative.
Interdisciplinary Integration - TT4D works with your team to highlight key partnerships and cross-disciplinary connections that MURI reviewers expect to see.
Compliance & Deadlines - From white paper inquiries to full proposal submission, we guide you through every step, so nothing gets missed.
Defense Impact Framing - We help translate your research into terms that resonate with DoD priorities and reviewers, ensuring your proposal shows clear mission relevance.

For fiscal year 2026, the MURI application timeline includes:

White Paper Inquiries (Optional): 18 April 2026
White Papers Due: 5:00pm ET, 2 May 2026
Full Proposals Due: 5:00pm ET, 5 September 2026

These deadlines apply to submissions to the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Army Research Office (ARO), and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). Applicants should consult each agency’s announcement for specific submission requirements, as guidelines may vary.

Based on the current dates and times posted, we created a monthly timeline for your MURI proposal. The timeline will assist you in coordinating overlapping tasks such as literature review, drafting, and internal review can help teams manage the proposal process efficiently.

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Final Word

MURI is a rare opportunity to secure long-term funding, grow your research team, and position your work at the cutting edge of defense science. With TT4D’s expertise in navigating the process, you don’t have to tackle it alone. Together, we can turn bold ideas into funded research.

For more information about MURI, including detailed guidance on proposal preparation and submission, interested researchers can visit www.onr.navy.mil/MURI or reach out directly to their program officer. With its focus on interdisciplinary innovation and substantial funding support, the MURI program represents an exceptional opportunity for researchers to contribute to transformative advances in national defense.

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Technology Transfer for Defense (TT4D) at Stanford University specializes in matching Defense Department funding with academic research projects. In the past six years, TT4D has worked with numerous faculty members at more than a dozen universities to help them win Defense Department grants and with the Office of Naval Research, totaling more than $13 million, to support research funding and transition academic technologies from lab to defense capabilities. TT4D is based at Stanford University and is run by Jeffrey Decker, PhD, program director, Precourt Institute for Energy, Fu-Kuo Chang, Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Nilay Papila, PhD, senior program manager, Precourt Institute for Energy. To contact the TT4D team, visit techtransferfordefense.stanford.edu.

To read previous TT4D posts, see:

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