DARPA Research Solutions Opening
DARPA will fund independent research ideas from accredited U.S. colleges and universities, with the solicitation limited to IPA candidates and university proposals.
⚑ Limited to IPA candidates and proposals from accredited U.S. colleges and universities · DARPA solicitation; likely tightly mission-driven and highly technical
This is a broad DARPA applied-R&D opening aimed at technical defense and computing challenges, not the team’s social-behavioral risk, survey, policy, warning, or education-evaluation program lines. Even though the agency is defense-related, nothing in the description matches the team’s PI-level research agenda.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-09-04
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | portfolio topic: national_security_defense (primary); social/behavioral work is minor; funds applied research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
This Research Solutions Opening (RSO) aims to strengthen the DARPA Program Manager (PM) community by engaging academic researchers capable of addressing DARPA's hard problems. PMs that are passionate about tackling the most complex technical challenges, pushing the boundaries of science and technology, and shaping the future of defense and innovation. Together, through this effort, we will pioneer revolutionary solutions, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and empower the brightest minds to make the impossible possible. This RSO also seeks to fund the independent research ideas of these passionate researchers. This RSO is limited to Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) candidates and proposals from accredited U.S. colleges and universities.
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Solicitation. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) / DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY.
Apply
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.