This BAA seeks research proposals from U.S. Army Research Lab for foundational research, merging previous BAAs and focusing on basic and applied research topics of interest.
Funder: Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command
Due Dates: August 31, 2026 (AEOP Internships) | November 20, 2027 (BAA final closing date)
Funding Amounts: ~2,000 awards expected; award size varies by mechanism (e.g., Single Investigator: 3 years typical, STIR: up to $60,000/9 months, Early Career: up to $120,000/year for 3 years, PECASE: up to $200,000/year for 5 years)
Summary: Supports basic and applied research, instrumentation, and outreach across science, engineering, and technology fields relevant to Army capabilities.
Key Information: Whitepapers are strongly encouraged before full proposal; AEOP internships only available as modifications to existing awards.
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) solicits proposals for foundational research supporting the Army’s future operational capabilities. This BAA covers a broad spectrum of basic and applied research topics in science, engineering, and technology, including targeted opportunities for early career researchers, instrumentation, conferences, and STEM outreach. Research should aim to enable new knowledge, concepts, or technologies that can provide transformational overmatch for the Army in future conflicts. Proposals are accepted from a wide range of organizations and are expected to be innovative, high-risk/high-reward, and aligned with ARL’s mission and research priorities.
All dates shown are validated and current; proposals are accepted on a rolling basis until the final closing date.
Who Can Apply:
Special eligibility for some programs:
FFRDCs/UARCs: Must provide sponsor concurrence and meet additional requirements.
Contact a Technical Point of Contact (TPOC): Strongly encouraged to discuss ideas and ensure alignment with ARL priorities before submitting.
Whitepaper Submission: Strongly encouraged to minimize effort on proposals unlikely to be selected; submit via email to the relevant TPOC.
Full Proposal Submission:
Required Forms: SF 424 (R&R), ARO Form 99, project abstract, technical proposal, budget, biographical sketches, data management plan, and other supporting documents as detailed in the BAA.
Evaluation Criteria: Scientific/technical merit, relevance to Army mission, qualifications of PI/team, and (for some programs) institutional commitment.
| Purpose | Contact |
|---|---|
| General/Administrative | ARL Contact Us Form |
| Grants Office | U.S. Army Contracting Command P.O. Box 12211 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211 |
| AEOP Internships (PI inquiries) | Ms. Ivory Chaney usarmy.rtp.cedc-arl.mbx.hsap-urap@army.mil (919) 549-4323 |
| Program-specific (TPOCs) | See ARL BAA topics website for topic contacts |