All of DARPA’s research is performed by outside researchers at large and small businesses, universities, non-profit institutions, government laboratories and other outside research organizations. DARPA funds these researchers based on a competitive review of proposals that are submitted to us in response to a solicitation calling for research ideas.
Obtaining Funding: Step 1
The first step in obtaining research funding from DARPA is to review DARPA’s research interests. Each DARPA technical office maintains a list of current programs and research thrust areas. Lastly, DARPA holds a Systems and Technology Symposium (DARPATech) approximately every 18 to 24 months, to share our priorities for future programs that will help bridge the gap between far-side possibilities of tomorrow and the near-side capabilities of today. Dates of the upcoming DARPATechs are advertised on the website as soon as dates are available.
Obtaining Funding: Step 2
DARPA solicitations most often take the form of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), but can also be called Special Notices, Research Announcements, Requests for Proposals, or something similar. DARPA issues BAAs, each for a specific DARPA research program, throughout the year. DARPA BAAs are published in the U.S. government’s one-stop virtual marketplace, Federal Business Opportunities, also known as FedBizOpps (www.fbo.gov). DARPA also publishes BAAs on www.grants.gov, the central storehouse for information on federal grants.
In addition to program-specific BAAs, each DARPA office issues what we call an “Office-Wide” BAA. These BAAs solicit proposals across a broad range of technology areas.
What is a BAA?
Each DARPA BAA includes general information about the DARPA program, outlines the research being solicited and provides detailed information on how to submit a proposal. DARPA’s BAAs are “open” (i.e., proposals can be submitted) for a full year, but many BAAs impose an earlier deadline (often 45 days after issuance) for researchers interested in having their proposals reviewed during an initial review period. Many DARPA BAAs require or encourage the submission of a proposal, abstract or white paper prior to the submission of a full proposal. All of these details will be outlined in the BAA.
Small Business Funding Opportunities
For information on opportunities available only to small businesses, please visit the Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) website, or DARPA's Small Business Support Center (SBSC). SBIR and STTR solicitations are available online.
