Sponsor Overview
The Department of Defense funds research aligned with national security, military readiness, and emerging technologies. Funding is distributed through service research offices (e.g., Army, Navy, Air Force), defense agencies (e.g., DARPA), and congressionally directed programs (e.g., CDMRP). DoD opportunities often emphasize potential for transformative impact and may use BAAs/NOFOs, white papers, and pre-applications.
Is DoD a good fit for your project?
- You can articulate a clear relevance to defense needs or enabling technologies (even if the work is fundamental).
- You are comfortable proposing high-risk/high-reward approaches with defined technical milestones.
- Your team can address any special requirements (e.g., export control, controlled information, human research protections, or security disclosures) early.
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Key Programs
- DoD Basic Research Office (programs and policy):
- Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI): Tri-service program for large, interdisciplinary basic research teams.
- Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP): Major equipment acquisition to strengthen university research infrastructure.
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR): Air Force basic research program and funding opportunities.
- Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Broad Agency Announcement: Primary mechanism for ARL/ARO foundational research proposals; encourages white papers and early contact.
- Office of Naval Research (ONR) Current Funding Opportunities: BAAs/NOFOs/CSOs for Navy and Marine Corps S&T.
- DARPA – R&D Opportunities: Program solicitations, challenges, and engagement routes.
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP): Disease- and topic-specific biomedical programs with distinct review and pre-application practices.
- Essential Resources
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UAB Supports
The Research Development Office offers robust support for faculty seeking DOD funding, including funding mechanism identification and assessment, proposal ideation or draft review, multi-PI team development and proposal project management, and limited submission coordination where applicable. Faculty are encouraged to contact our office with any requests for support, and we will connect you with available resources.
Another resource, Alabama EPSCoR, coordinates EPSCoR activities statewide, supporting collaborative research, infrastructure, and workforce development. UAB faculty engage through multi‑institutional initiatives, graduate training support, and statewide priority‑setting, with Alabama EPSCoR administering opportunities such as DEPSCoR for DOD‑aligned research and capacity building.