Protein ENGineering (PENG) Proposer Day

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office is conducting a Proposers Day on August 10, 2026, from 10:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT in Arlington, Virginia, with remote webcast participation available, to introduce the research community to the Protein ENGineering (PENG) program in advance of an anticipated Program Solicitation release. Registration closes July 31, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. EDT and is required for both in-person attendance (capped at 136 registrants, maximum three per organization) and virtual participation (capacity 350 individuals). No registration fee applies. Non-U.S. citizens must submit a U.S. Permanent Resident and Foreign National Visit Request (e-form 60) by July 31, 2026.

The PENG program seeks to establish a multifunctional, target-agnostic platform for precise, programmable editing of endogenous proteins by integrating novel splicing, ligation, and co-translational techniques. All research is limited to foundational, bench-top laboratory models and complex in vitro tissue systems such as organoids; human testing and clinical trials are prohibited. The Proposers Day will explain DARPA program mechanics, milestones, and research objectives while encouraging teaming arrangements among organizations with relevant expertise and capabilities. Participants may submit Lightning Talk slides (5-minute presentations on interests, capabilities, and team needs) to PENG@DARPA.mil by August 3, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EDT on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendance is voluntary and not required to submit a proposal, though DARPA encourages participation by small businesses, academic institutions, and first-time government contractors.