Biological Technologies
DARPA BTO funds research proposals that use biological properties and processes to develop new capabilities for protecting warfighters, from any responsible source able to meet the government’s needs.
⚑ Broad agency announcement with unusual DARPA/DoD proposal process and possible procurement contract/cooperative agreement awards · Explicitly excludes work that primarily produces evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice · Award ceiling listed as $0 in synopsis; funding amount is not specified here
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 80 strong | technical depth: substantial; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | peripheral portfolio topic: national_security_defense; social/behavioral work is minor; funds applied research; biomedical core — IPPRA health lane is communication/crisis/policy (capped) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Biological Technologies Office (BTO) is soliciting proposals that leverage biological properties and processes to revolutionize our ability to protect the nation’s warfighters. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.
Eligibility
All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal that shall be considered by DARPA. See the Eligibility Information section of the BAA for more information.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: DARPA - Biological Technologies Office <BTOBAA2026@darpa.mil>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Department of Defense (BAA-style) conventions SEE A DOD EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Department of Defense (BAA-style)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.