Information Processing Techniques Office Office-Wide
DARPA IPTO seeks revolutionary research proposals on information-processing topics not already covered by existing IPTO programs or other published solicitations.
⚑ Broad Agency Announcement with topic fit controlled by DARPA; proposals must not duplicate existing IPTO programs or other published IPTO solicitations · Federal contract solicitation; applicant restrictions are stated only at the level of the notice, with no set-aside indicated
This is a broad DARPA computing/AI/cyber basic-research BAA with no obvious social-science, survey, policy, risk, or evaluation component. The only possible connection is the team’s national-security interest, but this is not their programmatic line.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-09-03
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds basic research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | portfolio topics: cybersecurity, national_security_defense; social/behavioral work is minor; funds basic research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeks revolutionary research ideas for topics not being addressed by ongoing IPTO programs or other published solicitations. Potential proposers are highly encouraged to visit the IPTO technical office page (https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/ipto) to view current and upcoming IPTO programs and solicitations in order to avoid proposing efforts that duplicate existing activities or that are responsive to other published IPTO solicitations.
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.