DARPA Research Solutions Opening

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency seeks innovative basic research proposals from accredited U.S. colleges and universities addressing DARPA's hard technical problems, with abstracts due June 1, 2027. This solicitation is limited to Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) candidates and accredited U.S. colleges and universities; commercial firms, University-Affiliated Research Centers, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, and military service labs are ineligible.

Research must address one or more thrust areas across five DARPA technical offices: Biological Technologies (synthetic biology, bio-inspired systems, AI-biology convergence, agricultural defense); Defense Sciences (materials, manufacturing, energy systems, sensing, computation, complex systems); Information Processing Techniques (AI, cybersecurity, resilient megasystems); Multi X (indigenous tools, materials, new mission modalities); and Tactical Technology (naval architecture, aerospace, propulsion, autonomy, munitions). DARPA explicitly excludes evolutionary improvements and research already funded by DARPA or other government agencies.

Proposals must identify at least two co-Principal Investigators, with at least one nominated as a candidate for temporary DARPA assignment as a Program Manager under the IPA Mobility Program for two years, extendable to four years. IPA nominees must be U.S. citizens eligible for active security clearances. Performance is limited to U.S. colleges and universities. Abstracts may be submitted rolling basis until June 1, 2027, with full proposals requested only after abstract acceptance. Written abstracts must not exceed four pages (12-point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins); oral abstracts are limited to 15 minutes plus 10 minutes for questions. Evaluation criteria include scientific and technical merit, potential DARPA mission contribution, and price/value/cost analysis. Awards are authorized under Other Transactions for Research (10 U.S.C. § 4021), with multiple awards anticipated. The NAICS code is 541715, and PSC is AC11.