Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative | Apply Online

FY 2015 DoD MURI (ONRFOA14-012) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (DoD MURI). It is a discretionary grant program intended to fund high-impact basic research at U.S. universities.

2) What does "MURI" stand for and where does it sit within DoD?

MURI stands for Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative. It is part of the broader University Research Initiative (URI) and is jointly sponsored by three DoD research offices: the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Army Research Office (ARO), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).

3) Who is the administering agency for this solicitation?

The administering agency listed for this opportunity is the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

4) What is the main purpose of the DoD MURI program?

The program is designed to support university-based science and engineering research aligned with long-term Department of Defense interests. The emphasis is on research that can shift scientific understanding and lay the foundation for future defense-relevant technologies, even when there is no immediate application or product as the goal.

5) What type of research is funded (basic vs. applied)?

The research supported is explicitly categorized as basic research, using the DoD definition: systematic study aimed at increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding of phenomena and observable facts, without being driven by a specific near-term application, process, or product.

6) What does the program mean by "high-impact" research?

Based on the description provided, "high-impact" refers to farsighted, high-payoff basic research that can produce breakthroughs, change scientific understanding, and create a groundwork for long-range technological progress relevant to national security.

7) What does "multidisciplinary" mean in the context of MURI?

MURI expects projects to bring together more than one traditional academic discipline in a tightly integrated way. The goal is not simply to group several related efforts under one umbrella, but to foster genuine interaction across fields so collaboration accelerates progress and opens new scientific directions.

8) Is it enough to submit several loosely connected projects under one proposal?

The opportunity description emphasizes that the intent is not merely to fund several related projects packaged together. The multidisciplinary structure is central, and projects are expected to show tightly integrated cross-disciplinary collaboration.

9) Why does DoD emphasize multidisciplinary teams for this program?

The program uses multidisciplinary collaboration to push rapid advances in areas where breakthroughs are more likely when experts from different domains jointly tackle fundamental problems.

10) What research areas are eligible or encouraged?

The areas of interest span the physical sciences, engineering, environmental sciences, and life sciences, as long as the work supports long-term national security needs at the level of fundamental discovery.

11) Does the research need to produce an immediate defense product or near-term technology?

No. The solicitation description highlights that the program supports basic research without being driven by a specific near-term application, process, or product, and it notes that immediate application is not required.

12) How does this program relate to long-term national security needs?

The program is framed around long time horizons: DoD invests broadly across many fields to stay aware of emerging scientific knowledge early, which supports national security planning over extended periods and helps lay the groundwork for future defense-relevant technologies.

13) What is the funding instrument type?

The funding instrument type is a Grant.

14) What category does this opportunity fall under?

It is listed under the science and technology and other research and development category.

15) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research).

16) What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is ONRFOA14-012.

17) When was this opportunity posted?

The posting date is September 22, 2014.

18) What is the closing date, and are deadlines the same for every topic?

An original closing date of February 23, 2015 is listed. However, the announcement states that applicants must follow the specific white paper and full proposal due dates listed in the full solicitation, including topic-by-topic deadlines and the significant dates described in the submission instructions. In practice, the effective deadlines depend on the topic and the staged submission process described in the official announcement.

19) Is there a staged submission process (white paper then full proposal)?

Yes. The description indicates that applicants must follow white paper and full proposal due dates listed in the full solicitation, and that these dates can vary by topic.

20) How much total funding is estimated for the program?

The solicitation lists an estimated total funding level of $145,000,000, indicating support for a substantial portfolio of large, coordinated university research efforts.

21) Does the solicitation mention any cost sharing or matching requirement?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the provided information.

22) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, meaning the opportunity is targeted to U.S. universities that fit that category.

23) Are private universities eligible?

Only public and state-controlled institutions of higher education are listed as eligible in the provided information.

24) Which DoD organizations sponsor the MURI program?

The program is jointly sponsored by ONR, ARO, and AFOSR.

25) Who should applicants contact for Navy submission assistance?

For assistance related to Navy submission, the contact provided is Mary Helen Dent, Contract Specialist, at 703-588-2432.

26) Where can applicants get help with submission mechanics?

The solicitation references Grants.gov questions for submission support, in addition to the Navy submission contact information provided.

27) What is the overall intent behind DoD investing broadly across fields in this program?

The description notes that DoD invests broadly so it can stay aware of emerging scientific knowledge early, which supports long-term national security planning and helps identify foundational discoveries that may later enable defense-relevant technologies.