Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)

Description

The MURI program supports basic research in science and engineering at U.S. institutions of higher education (hereafter referred to as "universities") that is of potential interest to DoD. The program is focused on multidisciplinary research efforts where more than one traditional discipline interacts to provide rapid advances in scientific areas of interest to the DoD. As defined in the DoD Financial Management Regulation: Basic research is systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. It includes all scientific study and experimentation directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in those fields of the physical, engineering, environmental, and life sciences related to long-term national security needs. It is farsighted high payoff research that provides the basis for technological progress (DoD 7000.14-R, vol. 2B, chap. 5, para. 050201.B). DoD’s basic research program invests broadly in many specific fields to ensure that it has early cognizance of new scientific knowledge. The FY 2018 MURI competition is for the topics listed below. Detailed descriptions of the topics and the Topic Chief for each can be found in Section VIII, entitled, “SPECIFIC MURI TOPICS,” of this FOA. The detailed descriptions are intended to provide the applicant a frame of reference and are not meant to be restrictive to the possible approaches to achieving the goals of the topic and the program. Innovative ideas addressing these research topics are highly encouraged. White papers and proposals addressing the following topics should be submitted to the Army Research Office (ARO): Topic 1: Integrated Quantum Sensing and Control for High Fidelity Qubit Operations Topic 2: Novel solid- state materials and color centers for quantum science and engineering Topic 3: Controlling Protein Function Using Dynamic Chemical Switches to Modulate Structure Topic 4: Consolidation of Novel Materials and Macrostructures from a Dusty Plasma Topic 5: Embodied Learning and Control Topic 6: Coevolution of Neural, Cognitive, & Social Networks: Mind-Body-Community Connections Topic 7: Network Games Topic 8: Modeling Interdependence among Natural Systems and Human Population Dynamics White papers and proposals addressing the following topics should be submitted to the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR): Topic 9: Physically Viable Learning for Control of Autonomous Dynamical Systems Topic 10: Nanoscale Vacuum Field Effect Transistors Topic 11: Molecular-scale Studies of Liquid-Solid Interfaces in Electrochemical Processes Topic 12: Electromagnetic Non-reciprocity via Temporal Modulation Topic 13: Heterogeneous Interfaces: Route to New Optoelectronic Properties Topic 14: Piezoelectric Nanoenergetic Materials with Adaptable and Tailorable Reactivity Topic 15: Advanced Mean-Field Game Theory for Complex Physical & Socio-Economical Systems Topic 16: β-Ga2O3 as a High-Critical Field Strength Material for Power Systems White papers and proposals addressing the following topics should be submitted to the Office of Naval Research (ONR): Topic 17: Predicting and Validating Pathways for Chemical Synthesis Topic 18: Synthetic Microbial Electronics Topic 19: Automated Technical Document Comprehension Topic 20: Materials for Smart Multifunctional Superstructures [(MS)2] Topic 21: Advanced Optical Materials that Create Force from Light Topic 22: In situ Microstructural and Defect Evolution below the Micron Scale in as-Deposited Metal Alloys Topic 23: Enhancing Thermal Transport at Material Interfaces Topic 24: Self-Assessment of Proficiency for Autonomous and Intelligent Systems Proposals from a team of university investigators are warranted when the necessary expertise in addressing the multiple facets of the topics may reside in different universities, or in different departments in the same university. By supporting multidisciplinary teams, the program is complementary to other DoD basic research programs that support university research through single-investigator awards. Proposals shall name one Principal Investigator (PI) as the responsible technical point of contact. Similarly, one institution shall be the primary awardee for the purpose of award execution. The PI shall come from the primary institution. The relationship among participating institutions and their respective roles, as well as the apportionment of funds including sub-awards, if any, shall be described in both the proposal text and the budget.

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