Biological Technologies
DARPA seeks innovative proposals using biological processes to significantly enhance protection for warfighters, excluding projects that only offer incremental improvements.
Funder: DARPA Biological Technologies Office (BTO)
Due Dates: September 30, 2026 (full proposals) | Rolling (abstracts)
Funding Amounts: Multiple awards; no specified minimum or maximum. Accelerated award option for projects ≤$2M. Typical project durations are negotiable.
Summary: Supports revolutionary research leveraging biological properties/processes to advance national security and protect warfighters; excludes incremental improvements.
Key Information: Abstract submission and DARPA invitation are required before full proposal submission.
Description
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Biological Technologies Office (BTO) seeks innovative research proposals that leverage biological properties and processes to revolutionize national security capabilities. This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is intended for high-impact, transformative ideas that go beyond incremental advances, aiming to protect and enhance the health, performance, and operational capabilities of U.S. warfighters.
Key focus areas include, but are not limited to:
- Advanced machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for biological data and systems
- Combat casualty care and medical countermeasures
- Human performance optimization and resilience
- Bio-inspired materials, sensors, and manufacturing
- Agricultural, ecological, and environmental security
- Biosafety, biosecurity, and next-generation surveillance
- Biomedical and biodefense technologies
Proposals that primarily result in evolutionary improvements to existing technologies or practices are specifically excluded.
