Young Faculty Award (YFA) 2027

Open Posted

Opportunity number
DARPARA2701
Agency
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
Full announcement

Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .

About this opportunity

Written by GovTribe AI ·

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting applications for the Young Faculty Award (YFA) 2027 cooperative agreement program, with an executive summary due by January 13, 2027. The program funds fundamental research only and targets tenure-track or tenured faculty at U.S. institutions, or researchers within 12 years of receiving a doctorate at non-profit research institutions offering continuing appointments; researchers at Federal Funded Research and Development Centers, University Affiliated Research Centers, National Laboratories, and other government entities are ineligible. Applicants without prior DARPA funding are particularly encouraged. No cost share is required.

The base period award ceiling is $500,000 for 24 months of performance. Two optional add-ons are available: a U.S. Citizen Graduate Student Option ($225,000) and a Director's Fellowship Option ($500,000), bringing the combined maximum to $1,225,000. Equipment purchases over $5,000 require vendor quotes; no specific equipment spending limit applies as long as the total base period budget does not exceed $500,000. All Department of War and DARPA funding previously received by the applicant must be disclosed in the budget proposal.

Proposers must identify one Topic Area from 18 listed areas and cannot submit to multiple topic areas. An executive summary must be submitted through the Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) at https://baa.darpa.mil/ before submitting the full proposal through Grants.gov. Proposers are limited to one executive summary and one full proposal. Full proposals must include an official transmittal letter from the applicant's organization. Quarterly progress, status, and financial management reports are due within 30 days of each quarter end (09/30, 12/31, 03/31, 06/30). Final technical and financial reports are due 120 days after period of performance ends. The program funds research under CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development). The model cooperative agreement specifies a base period of September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2028, with optional periods through August 31, 2029.

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 War (DoW) needs and DARPA's mission to create and prevent technological surprise for national security. The YFA program provides high-impact funding to researchers early in their careers to develop innovative new research that enables transformative DoW capabilities. Ultimately, the YFA program developes the next generation of researchers focused on national security issues.

Eligibility

All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal that shall be considered by DARPA. See the Eligibility Information section of the BAA for more information.

Files

File Type Posted
PKG00294434.docx DOCX document
DARPARA2701_Administrative_FAQs_10-19-2026.pdf PDF
Attach_G_Model_Cooperative_Agreement.docx DOCX document
Attach_C_Vol_1.docx DOCX document
Attach_D_Vol_2.docx DOCX document
Attach_F_US_Citizen_Grad_Student_Option.docx DOCX document
Attach_A_Executive_Summary.docx DOCX document
Attach_B_Proposal_Summary_Slide.pptx PPTX presentation
DARPARA2701.pdf PDF

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