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Minerva Research Initiative (MRI) Grant Opportunity FAQs

What is the Minerva Research Initiative (MRI)?

The Minerva Research Initiative (MRI) is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored, university-based social science research program. It is administered through the Office of Naval Research (ONR) as a multi-service effort, with technical input from the Services and final funding decisions made by Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) personnel.

What is the central purpose of the MRI program?

The program aims to build the DoD's intellectual capital in the social sciences, improve the Department's ability to anticipate and respond to future national security challenges, and strengthen constructive, candid ties between DoD and the academic social science community.

What kind of research is MRI intended to support?

MRI is intended to support multidisciplinary, cross-institutional research aligned with DoD priority topic areas. The stated intent is to support innovative work rather than narrowly prescriptive studies.

Who administers MRI, and who makes the final funding decisions?

ONR is the announcing office and administers the program as a multi-service effort. The Services provide technical input, but final funding decisions are made by OSD personnel.

What does this particular competition solicit?

This competition solicits white papers and full proposals addressing three major research themes that are organized into eleven subtopics.

What are the three major research themes in this solicitation?

The three themes are: (1) Belief Formation and Movements for Change, (2) Models of Societal Resilience and Change, and (3) Theories of Power and Deterrence.

What is covered under the theme "Belief Formation and Movements for Change"?

This theme focuses on how beliefs form and spread, how influence operates, how group identities and cultural norms shape behavior, how movements for change emerge and evolve, and how violent groups collaborate or compete.

What is covered under the theme "Models of Societal Resilience and Change"?

This theme targets drivers of stability and disruption in societies, including economic factors, energy and environmental/resource pressures, and other variables that affect societal resilience, fragility, and transformation.

What is covered under the theme "Theories of Power and Deterrence"?

This theme centers on changing dynamics of power and deterrence in the modern security environment. It includes the role of the state under globalization, cyber norms and governance, approaches that go beyond traditional or conventional deterrence frameworks, and other emerging issues relevant to power and deterrence.

Are single-investigator projects allowed, or are teams required?

The opportunity supports both single-investigator projects and larger collaborative teams.

When are team-based proposals encouraged?

Team-based proposals are encouraged when the research questions span multiple linked issues and would benefit from complementary disciplines or expertise housed across different universities, or across departments within the same institution.

What are the organizational requirements for collaborative submissions?

For collaborative submissions, the solicitation expects clear project organization. One Principal Investigator must be designated as the primary technical point of contact, and one institution must serve as the primary award recipient responsible for execution.

What must collaborative proposals explain about partner institutions?

Proposers are required to explain how partner institutions will contribute, define roles and responsibilities, and detail how funds will be distributed, including any subawards.

How should the narrative and budget address subawards and funding distribution?

The solicitation expects consistent descriptions in both the narrative and the budget regarding roles, responsibilities, and how funds will be distributed, including any subawards.

What type of funding opportunity is this administratively?

This was issued as a discretionary funding opportunity using the grant instrument type under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

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

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed in the posting.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement.

What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?

The listing includes an original closing date of December 12, 2012 and a then-current closing date of January 4, 2013. The archive date is January 30, 2013.

Are there separate due dates for white papers?

Yes. The notice includes a note to consult the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) or application instructions for white paper due dates.

Where do applicants retrieve the full announcement?

Applicants are directed to retrieve the full announcement on Grants.gov by selecting the FULL ANNOUNCEMENT link on the synopsis page.

Who should be contacted if there are problems accessing the full announcement electronically?

If applicants have trouble accessing the announcement electronically, they are instructed to contact the named ONR contract specialist, Patrick Sisk, at 703-696-6804.

What role do DoD priority topic areas play in this program?

MRI research is expected to align with priority topic areas set by the Department of Defense, while still aiming to encourage innovative research rather than narrowly prescriptive studies.