CoasterChase
DARPA’s CoasterChase program seeks proposals to develop ingestible devices that sense and modulate stress biomarkers by targeting neurons in the small intestine using advanced neuromodulation technologies.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
DARPA - Biological Technologies Office has archived this opportunity.
Funder: DARPA - Biological Technologies Office
Due Dates: August 28, 2025 (Full proposals)
Funding Amounts: No stated limit; award size and period of performance will vary by proposal and negotiated budget. No indirect cost rate cap applies for this cycle.
Summary: Supports innovative research to develop ingestible neuromodulation and sensing platforms for monitoring and modulating acute stress biomarkers in the small intestine.
Key Information: No 15% indirect cost cap; all responsible sources (including non-U.S.) may apply; UARCs and FFRDCs strongly discouraged from applying as prime/sub.
Description
DARPA's Biological Technologies Office is seeking groundbreaking proposals that leverage new insights into the enteric nervous system and neuromodulation technologies to selectively target neurons in the small intestine and modulate the body's acute stress response. The CoasterChase program aims to develop a multimodal, ingestible platform capable of both sensing and stimulating from within the small intestine to monitor and influence biomarkers of acute stress.
Proposed research should focus on revolutionary—not incremental—advances in:
- Enteric neuromodulation and sensing
- Ingestible electronics
- Modulation of physiological stress responses
Projects that merely offer evolutionary improvements to existing technologies will not be considered.
