FISCAL YEAR 2019 DEFENSE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION PROGRAM (DURIP) | N00014 18 S F007

Opportunity Information: Apply for N00014 18 S F007

The Fiscal Year 2019 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) is a Department of Defense equipment grant competition that funds the purchase of major research equipment and instrumentation at U.S. universities. The basic aim is to strengthen and modernize university research capabilities in scientific and engineering areas that matter to DoD missions, while also improving research-based education. In practical terms, applicants are expected to request funds to acquire specific instruments or systems that will enable or significantly enhance ongoing or planned research programs aligned with DoD priorities.

The opportunity is administered across three DoD basic research organizations: the Army Research Office (ARO), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). These offices collectively define the technical interests for DURIP, and applicants are directed to consult the research-topic information posted on each organization’s website to ensure clear alignment with their current goals and priority areas. A key part of a competitive proposal is demonstrating that the requested equipment directly supports research that fits within one or more of those stated focus areas, rather than simply meeting a general institutional need.

A central emphasis of DURIP is the education impact of instrumentation. Proposals must go beyond describing the equipment and the science; they need to make a convincing case that the purchase will enhance the institution’s ability to educate and train students through hands-on research in disciplines important to DoD missions. That typically means explaining how the instrument will be used in faculty-led research projects, how it will expand student access to advanced methods or data, how it will support graduate and undergraduate researchers, and how it will strengthen a pipeline of scientists and engineers with skills relevant to defense needs.

Applicants are encouraged to communicate with the relevant Program Managers before submitting. The stated intent is to help applicants confirm mutual technical interest and improve alignment with the administering agency’s priorities. The program also allows a single DURIP proposal to be submitted to more than one administering agency (for example, both ONR and ARO) when the work plausibly fits multiple portfolios, but only one agency will ultimately fund the proposal if it is selected. There is no cap on how many different proposals an institution may submit overall, and there is no limit on the number of awards a single applicant organization may receive, meaning universities can pursue multiple equipment requests if each is well-justified and aligned.

This is a discretionary grant opportunity (not a contract) listed under CFDA 12.300, with the Office of Naval Research shown as the agency name in the notice. The statutory authority cited for awards is 10 U.S.C. 2358 in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 6304. The government also explicitly notes that it may choose to fund all, some, part, or none of the proposals received, and that there is no guarantee of award, reflecting the competitive nature of the program and the availability of funds.

Eligibility is limited to accredited U.S. institutions of higher education that offer degree-granting programs in science, mathematics, and/or engineering. For-profit educational institutions are excluded. As part of the federal award process, the government evaluates applicant risk and responsibility by reviewing the application materials along with data from Office of Management and Budget-designated government-wide repositories, consistent with federal regulations and statutes (including references to 2 CFR 200.205 and 32 CFR 22.410). This is framed as a standard step to confirm the applicant is qualified, responsible, and eligible to receive federal funds.

Key logistics included in the notice are the opportunity number N00014-18-S-F007, an original closing date of July 6, 2018, and a creation date of March 22, 2018. The announcement does not provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the excerpt shown, which typically means applicants should rely on the full solicitation and agency guidance for budget expectations and competitiveness factors. Overall, DURIP is best understood as a targeted capital-equipment investment program: it is designed to place advanced research tools in university environments where they will drive DoD-relevant research outcomes and, just as importantly, train students through direct participation in that research.

• The Office of Naval Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FISCAL YEAR 2019 DEFENSE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION PROGRAM (DURIP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.300.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2018-03-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-07-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for N00014 18 S F007

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