DARPA RSO FAQs 3 Sep 2026.pdf

DARPA Research Solutions Opening Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Under the "performance is limited to U.S. colleges and universities" provision, may the university prime include a funded commercial subawardee, and is there any limit on the share of total effort or cost that may flow to such a subawardee?

A1. Prime and subawardee performance on this RSO is limited to U. S. colleges and universities.

Q2. For the OT for Research instrument, how is cost-sharing expected and treated under this RSO — and would in-kind contribution from a commercial team member be viewed favorably as an indicator of transition potential?

A2. Please refer to the RSO, 10 U.S.C. § 4021. Additional information regarding resource sharing may be found at the DoW Guide to Research Other Transactions Under 10 U.S.C. § 4021 found at:

https://acquisitioninnovation.darpa.mil/docs/Guides/GUIDE%20TO%20RESEARCH%20OT HER%20TRANSACTIONS%20-%202026.02.12.pdf.

Q3. Is there a typical or expected per-award funding range (or ceiling) we should plan against? AI-based cybersecurity research runs into real (non-labor) costs, particularly when using frontier models.

A3. No funding range has been established.

Q4. I came across the RSO opportunity and was wondering whether it is the same as submitting to the office-wide BAA? Is there funding set aside for this particular opportunity or would I have to find a PM with seedling funds, etc. to fund me under this opportunity?

A4. The RSO is not the same as submitting to the office-wide BAA, and limited funding is available for this requirement. Please see the eligibility and submission requirements in the

RSO.

Q5. Specifically, on Page 4-5 of the FOA, it says that “Phase 1 abstracts must identify at least two (2) co-Principal Investigators (PIs) for the proposed research project. If invited to submit a full proposal, proposers must nominate at least one (1) co-PI as a candidate for consideration of a temporary assignment to DARPA under the IPA Mobility Program.

Proposers are strongly encouraged to nominate multiple PIs as candidates for the DARPA under the IPA Mobility Program. In the event DARPA selects a candidate for a temporary assignment and enters into an IPA agreement with the academic institution, the project’s remaining PI(s) will lead the proposed research.” Also, "Upon notification that an abstract has been selected for submission of a full proposal, the Government will send the submitter a written request for a full proposal, either written or oral. This request will include proposal preparation and submission instructions. DARPA will evaluate full proposals in accordance with the criteria in Section 5, Subsection 1.2.1. Proposers invited to participate in Phase 2 must follow the IPA Mobility Program submission requirements in Section 5, Subsection III, for all nominated IPA candidates. Selection of a proposed research project for funding does not obligate the Government to select any nominated IPA candidate for the temporary assignment at DARPA. Candidates selected to serve as a DARPA PM under the IPA Mobility Program will not manage or serve as a PI or co-PI on their home institution’s proposed research project(s) funded by the Government.”

The PI of the team is a US citizen, but neither of the co-PIs is a US citizen. Thus, we are not sure whether we can be the only co-PIs in the team, or we need to add another US citizen to the team as a co-PI. We hope you could help us clarify our eligibility.

A5. Any co-PI nominated as an IPA must be a U. S. citizen and eligible to obtain and maintain an active U .S. Government security clearance.

Q6. Is it required to have a Co-PI to be nominated as an IPA to submit the abstract or can we submit without a nomination?

A6. Please review Attachments 1 and 2 of the DARPA RSO. An attestation that the co-PI, who will be nominated as an IPA, is a U.S. citizen is required. Therefore, the abstract cannot be submitted without identifying the co-PI and their U.S. citizenship status.