Emerge: evolving morphologies via embodiment of reconfigurable geometries

The Office of Naval Research awarded Massachusetts Institute of Technology $1.5 million on June 1, 2026, under the Basic and Applied Scientific Research program (CFDA 12.300) for EMERGE: Evolving Morphologies via Embodiment of Reconfigurable Geometries, a project grant extending through May 31, 2030.

The award funds research and development of adaptive robotic systems across multiple form and function frameworks. MIT performs the work in Massachusetts. The project is structured as a research grant supporting innovation in naval technology and operations, evaluated through competitive peer and scientific review on merit, naval relevance, institutional capability, investigator qualifications, and cost realism.

MIT passed through sub-award funding to the President and Fellows of Harvard College (Office For Sponsored Programs Division) on July 23, 2026, to support adaptable robot system development as part of the larger effort. The sub-award amount and any additional sub-recipient details are not specified in the source.