Research and Technology Development

To support and stimulate basic research, applied research and advanced research at educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and commercial firms, which may have military or dual-use application. This support may take the form of grants, co

Basic research, applied research and advanced research in areas of science and technology which may have military or dual-use application. Projects are expected to advance the state of the art or result in fundamental change in technology.

For grants, eligibility is limited to public and private educational institutions and nonprofit organizations operated for purposes in the public interest. For cooperative agreements, eligibility is limited to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and commercial firms. Individuals are not eligible for these awards. Eligibility for TIAs is broader and may include all organizations and individuals, including commercial companies.

Public and private educational institutions. Nonprofit organizations operated for purposes in the public interest and commercial firms.

No block or formula grants. Only project grants resulting from scientific proposals. Basic research, applied research and advanced research in areas of science and technology which may have military or dual-use application. Projects are expected to advance the state of the art or result in fundamental change in technology. Support for scientific symposia, conferences in relevant technology areas, and consortia which deals with relevant technologies. Programs to encourage careers in science, technology and engineering, and to increase the number of graduates from underrepresented minority groups. Programs assisting laboratory research instrumentation at universities. Programs intended to produce fundamentally different approaches to relevant technologies or establish fundamentally new relationships among the parties engaged in technology development. Potential recipients should note that these funds are awarded on project-by-project basis and are not block grants. The research focus areas are defined in the announcement of potential research needs (See references to Broad Agency Announcements and/or Research Announcements in Application and Award Process).

Use restrictions provided in award.

Since this is a research and technology program, the assistance is generally available for a 3 to 5-year period, as stated in the individual grant, agreement, or Other Transaction for Research (formerly TIA). Funding is usually provided incrementally in accordance with a funding schedule contained in the award document.

Evaluation criteria will be as specified in the solicitation announcement. Typical evaluation criteria, listed in descending order of relative importance, are as follows: (1) Overall scientific and technical merit; (2) potential contribution and relevance to DARPA mission; (3) offeror's capabilities and related experience; (4) plans and capability to accomplish technology transition; and (5) cost realism.

Award decisions are based upon competitive selection of specific project proposals resulting from a scientific review. Evaluators use the evaluation criteria contained in the relevant Broad Agency Announcement or other type of announcement. Generally, the offeror's proposal is incorporated into the grant award and the offeror agrees to perform the project as described in the proposal, with specific reporting due from the project.

A representative range of time required for the proposal to be accepted for award would be 60 to 90 days. Awards on high priority projects generally would take less time.

Renewals generally require reapplication with a new proposal. Extensions can generally be handled under the terms of the original grant, cooperative agreement, or TIA.

Appeal procedure described in the NOFO.