Funder: DARPA - Biological Technologies Office
Due Dates: September 18, 2025 (Proposal Abstracts & Full Proposals)
Funding Amounts: No fixed ceiling; accelerated award option for proposals ≤ $2M (award within 30 days of selection); multiple awards anticipated; typical duration and size vary by project.
Summary: Supports groundbreaking research in biological technologies not covered by existing DARPA BTO programs, with broad topic eligibility and an expedited award path for smaller projects.
Key Information: Accelerated award option available for unclassified proposals ≤ $2M; FFRDCs/UARCs require prior approval; classified submission process defined.
Description
This opportunity from the DARPA Biological Technologies Office (BTO) seeks revolutionary research ideas in biological technologies that are not currently addressed by ongoing BTO programs or other published solicitations. The program is intentionally broad, encouraging high-risk, high-reward proposals that could transform national security capabilities through advances in biology, engineering, and related fields.
Amendment 1 introduces an accelerated award option for smaller, unclassified projects, clarifies the process for classified submissions, and provides updated eligibility guidance for Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and University-Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs). Special Notices (SNs) may also be issued for targeted studies under this BAA.
Due Dates
- Proposal Abstracts: Rolling submission until September 18, 2025, 4:00 PM ET (strongly encouraged, but not required)
- Full Proposals: Rolling submission until September 18, 2025, 4:00 PM ET
- Closing Date: September 18, 2025
Note: Abstracts submitted near the deadline may be considered for the next cycle if the BAA is renewed.
Funding Amount
- Award Size: No fixed ceiling; project budgets should be appropriate to the proposed work.
- Accelerated Award Option: For unclassified proposals with a total value ≤ $2,000,000, proposers may elect an expedited process (award within 30 days of selection) by agreeing to specific terms.
- Award Types: Procurement contracts, cooperative agreements, or other transaction (OT) agreements.
- Multiple awards are anticipated.
- Cost sharing: Not required, but may be a positive factor for projects with commercial potential.
Eligibility
- Who Can Apply: All responsible sources, including U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, are eligible. This includes:
- Universities
- Nonprofits
- For-profit companies
- Small businesses
- Minority institutions
- FFRDCs and UARCs (must contact the agency before applying and may only participate by exception)
- Special Considerations:
- FFRDCs/UARCs and government entities must obtain prior approval.
- Non-U.S. organizations must comply with applicable export control and security regulations.
- Contractors providing Systems Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA), A&AS, or similar support services are generally prohibited from being technical performers unless a waiver is granted.
Application Process
- Abstract Phase: Strongly encouraged to submit an abstract for feedback before preparing a full proposal.
- Full Proposal: May be submitted at any time before the deadline. Required templates and instructions are provided in the BAA attachments.
- Submission Methods: Proposals can be submitted via the DARPA BAA Tool or Grants.gov.
- Required Attachments:
- Abstract and proposal templates (see BAA Attachments A–D)
- Cost proposal spreadsheet
- For accelerated award option: Signed attestation form (Attachment J) and agreement to model contract/OT terms
- Classified Submissions: Must follow the process in Attachment E; do not submit classified material via Grants.gov or the BAA website.
- CUI Requirements: All participants must comply with the BTO CUI Guide and relevant DoD/NIST standards.
Research Scope
DARPA BTO is interested in a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:
- General Biological Technologies: Any area relevant to national security and BTO’s mission.
- Machine Learning & AI: Biological data modeling, foundation models, simulation, digital twins, and AI for warfighter decision-making.
- Human Performance: Neurological health, cognition, resilience, physiological monitoring, biohybrid systems, and performance in extreme environments.
- Materials, Sensors, Processing: Bio-inspired materials, predictive modeling, engineering of biological systems, hybrid systems, and advanced sensing.
- Ecosystem & Environmental: Food/water security, non-human biology, ecosystem restoration, biogeochemistry, and environmental sensing.
- Biosecurity & Biosafety: Pathogen detection, biosafety, biosecurity, and AI safety in biological R&D.
- Biomedical & Biodefense: Disease mechanisms, therapeutics, diagnostics, manufacturing, and injury treatment.
See the full BAA for detailed topic descriptions.
Additional Information
- Accelerated Award Option: For unclassified proposals ≤ $2M, proposers can opt in for a 30-day award turnaround by agreeing to specific contract terms (see Attachment G and Attachment J).
- Classified Submissions: Detailed instructions are provided in Attachment E.
- CUI Compliance: All work must comply with the BTO CUI Guide and DoD/NIST requirements.
- Special Notices (SNs): May be issued for targeted studies; proposals in response to SNs will be evaluated under this BAA.
- Human Subjects/Animal Use: Proposals involving human or animal research must comply with applicable regulations and provide required documentation.
External Links
Contact Information
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|
| General Inquiries / BAA | BAA Coordinator: BTOBAA2024@darpa.mil |
| Mailing Address | DARPA/BTO, ATTN: HR001124S0034, 675 North Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22203-2114 |
| Contracting Officer | Katie Freeman, DARPA/Contracts Management Office |
| BTO Contact Page | Contact DARPA BTO |
| CUI/Security Questions | BTO Program Security Officer: bto_security@darpa.mil |
| Classified Submissions | See Attachment E; coordinate via BAA Coordinator |