Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War (DoW) Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP)

The Defense University Research Instrumentation Program is administered by the Department of War through its research components including the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Army Research Office, and the Office of Naval Research. This program is part of a broader University Research Initiatives portfolio and is intended to strengthen the research capabilities of United States institutions of higher education. By supporting the acquisition of advanced research instrumentation, the program seeks to enhance both scientific discovery and the education of future scientists and engineers in fields relevant to national defense priorities. The primary objective of the program is to fund the purchase of major research equipment or instrumentation that cannot typically be acquired through standard single investigator awards. These investments are expected to improve institutional capacity for conducting high quality basic research and to expand opportunities for research based education. Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the requested instrumentation will support research areas aligned with Department of War priorities and how it will contribute to training students in science, engineering, and related disciplines. Emphasis is placed on advancing fundamental knowledge in fields that have long term implications for national security. Funding under this program is estimated at approximately 28 million dollars for the fiscal cycle, subject to appropriations. Individual awards typically range from 50000 to 3000000 dollars, with rare exceptions permitted under specific conditions. The period of performance is generally 12 months, with the possibility of a no cost extension of up to an additional 12 months if justified. Funds are restricted to the acquisition and installation of eligible equipment or instrumentation and may include limited associated costs such as installation and testing. However, costs such as salaries, building modifications, and general purpose computing facilities are not allowable. Eligibility is limited to accredited United States institutions of higher education that offer degree programs in science, mathematics, or engineering. For profit organizations and federally funded research and development centers are not eligible to apply. University affiliated research centers may participate. There is no requirement for cost sharing or matching, although voluntary contributions are permitted. Applicants may submit multiple proposals and may apply to more than one administering agency, but only one agency may fund a given proposal. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and must include a complete technical proposal, budget documentation, and required federal forms. The technical proposal must describe the research supported by the requested instrumentation, its relevance to defense priorities, and its anticipated educational impact. Additional required components include project summaries, environmental compliance statements, and detailed budget justifications based on vendor quotations. Applicants must also identify a relevant program officer and comply with federal requirements such as SAM registration and ORCID identification for key personnel. The application deadline for the current cycle is November 6 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time, with inquiries due by October 16 2026. Applications must be validated through Grants.gov prior to the deadline, and early submission is strongly encouraged. Proposals undergo a multi stage review process evaluating their impact on research capability, relevance to defense missions, and contribution to education. Final award decisions are contingent on technical merit, funding availability, and risk based security assessments. Award notifications are issued following evaluation and administrative review, and recipients must comply with federal reporting and oversight requirements throughout the award period.

Emphasize alignment with defense research priorities demonstrate clear educational impact justify necessity of instrumentation and engage program officers prior to submission