DOD awards $161 million to support defense-relevant research

The Department of Defense awarded $161 million to 281 university researchers under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program. The grants will support the purchase of major equipment to augment current and develop new research capabilities relevant to the Department at 120 institutions across 39 states in fiscal year 2024. 

DURIP is a strategic investment through which the DOD champions the country's scientific ecosystem. The program equips universities to perform state-of-the-art research that boosts the United States' technological edge, while ensuring that the future science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workforce remains second to none. This year's awards will accelerate basic research in areas the National Defense Science and Technology Strategy prioritizes, including quantum computing and quantum networks, bioelectronics, hypersonics, autonomy, and the design, development, and characterization of novel materials. 

"DURIP awards build vital research infrastructure, advancing the exploration of knowledge and upholding the cutting-edge capabilities of our academic institutions," says Dr. Bindu Nair, director of basic research in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, whose mission is to continuously advance technological capabilities and innovation within the DOD. "This funding underpins the enduring scientific excellence of our universities, nurtures the development of the next STEM workforce, and catalyzes scientific innovations that will lead to unprecedented military capabilities in the years ahead."

The program is administered through a merit competition by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Army Research Office, and Office of Naval Research, and seeks specific proposals from university investigators conducting foundational science and engineering research relevant to national defense. 

Awards made by the military service research offices are subject to successful completion of negotiations with the academic institutions. 

The list of winning proposals can be downloaded here.