Young Faculty Award (YFA) 2026
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DARPARA2502
- Agency
-
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Department of Defense
- Applications due
- Award size
- Not on record
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Science and Technology and other Research and Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
-
- BAA Coordinator yfa2026@darpa.mil
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Young Faculty Award (YFA) 2026 program seeks innovative research proposals from early-career researchers in academia and non-profit research institutions to develop transformative technologies with national security applications. The program targets tenure-track or tenured faculty within 3 years of tenure, or equivalent researchers within 12 years of receiving their doctorate, who have not previously received substantial DARPA funding. Proposals must address one of 24 specific technical areas spanning quantum information, microelectromechanical systems, artificial intelligence, biomedical research, and advanced materials. Evaluation criteria will focus on scientific merit, potential contribution to DARPA's mission, and cost realism, with a strong emphasis on revolutionary research that goes beyond incremental technological improvements. Key dates include an executive summary due on October 15, 2025, a question submittal deadline of January 9, 2026, and full proposals due on January 20, 2026.
The award structure includes a 24-month base period with a maximum of $500,000 ($250,000 per 12-month interval) and an optional 12-month extension with an additional $500,000. Researchers may also receive up to $350,000 for a U.S. Person Graduate Student support effort. Multiple awards are anticipated, with an expected program start date in August 2026. The research will be conducted through cooperative agreements, with DARPA maintaining substantial involvement to guide and assess the research approach. The place of performance will be the awardee's home institution, with researchers expected to develop high-impact, innovative research that can potentially create technological advances for national security.
Synopsis
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Young Faculty Award (YFA) program aims to identify and engage rising stars in junior research positions in academia and equivalent positions at non-profit research institutions, particularly those without prior DARPA funding, to expose them to Department of Defense (DoD) needs and DARPA's mission to create and prevent technological surprise for national security. The YFA program will provide high-impact funding to researchers early in their careers to develop innovative new research that enables transformative DoD capabilities. Ultimately, the YFA program is developing the next generation of researchers focused on national security issues.
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