Fiscal Year 2027 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP)

The Defense University Research Instrumentation Program is administered by multiple research offices within the Department of War, including the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Army Research Office, and the Office of Naval Research. These agencies collectively support fundamental research aligned with national defense priorities and operate under federal grant-making regulations. The program is part of the broader University Research Initiatives portfolio and is designed to strengthen research infrastructure at accredited United States institutions of higher education. According to the notice, proposals are treated as sensitive competitive information and are evaluated strictly for research merit and alignment with agency priorities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enhance the research and educational capabilities of universities by supporting the acquisition of major equipment and instrumentation. The program emphasizes the importance of enabling institutions to conduct cutting-edge research in science, engineering, environmental, and life science disciplines that contribute to long-term national security needs. A key expectation is that the requested equipment will directly support research activities and improve the training and development of future scientists and engineers through hands-on research experience. Funding is provided specifically for the purchase, installation, and integration of research instrumentation systems. Allowable costs include acquisition, assembly, and installation of equipment, as well as limited travel for testing and acceptance. Unallowable costs include construction, facility upgrades, general-purpose computing infrastructure, salaries, and ongoing maintenance. Awards typically range from 50000 to 3000000 dollars, with rare exceptions for higher amounts if justified by defense priorities or supported through cost sharing. The total available funding for the program is approximately 28000000 dollars, contingent on appropriations. Eligibility is restricted to accredited United States institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in relevant fields. For-profit organizations and federally funded research and development centers are not eligible. University Affiliated Research Centers may apply. There is no requirement for cost sharing, although voluntary contributions are permitted. Institutions may submit multiple proposals and may submit the same proposal to multiple administering agencies, though only one agency will fund a selected proposal. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using specified federal forms and formatting requirements. Required components include a technical proposal, budget justification, project abstract, and documentation of personnel qualifications and current support. Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the requested equipment will enhance research capabilities, support defense-related research priorities, and contribute to education. Evaluation criteria are equally weighted and focus on research impact, alignment with defense priorities, and educational benefits. The timeline for this opportunity includes a deadline for submitting questions by October 16, 2026, and a final application deadline of November 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Applications must be validated through Grants.gov by the deadline, and early submission is strongly recommended. Awards are expected to support a 12-month period of performance, with optional no-cost extensions. Applicants are encouraged to contact program officers prior to submission to ensure alignment with agency research priorities and improve proposal competitiveness.

Align equipment request clearly with defense research priorities and demonstrate strong educational impact while ensuring budget realism and compliance with federal requirements