Executive Summary
DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory's BAA for Foundational Research funds basic and applied research across its posted topics. It is open continuously through November 20, 2027. Companies, universities, nonprofits and foreign organizations can apply.
The usual path is a short inquiry to the topic contact, then a white paper of up to five pages, then a full proposal. A white paper is not required, but ARL encourages one.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL and the Army Research Office)
- Opportunity: Broad Agency Announcement for Foundational Research
- Number: W911NF-23-S-0001 (Amendment 04)
- Award Vehicle: Procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and OTs for research or prototypes
- Funding: No total posted; some ARO tracks state sizes (for example, STIR awards of $60,000 or less)
- Open Through: November 20, 2027
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before you contact a topic lead.
What Is the ARL BAA?
ARL's standing announcement for basic (6.1) and applied (6.2) research, with some advanced technology development. It is a combined BAA and funding opportunity, so it can lead to a contract, grant, cooperative agreement or OT.
How to Apply
- Pick a topic: from the ARL BAA topics page (topics can change without a formal amendment)
- Contact the topic lead: with a short inquiry
- Send a white paper: of up to five pages with a brief cost estimate, by email to the technical contact named in the topic
- Submit a full proposal: through Grants.gov for grants and cooperative agreements, or as directed for contracts and OTs
Eligibility
Institutions of higher education, nonprofits, state and local governments, for-profit organizations and foreign organizations. FFRDCs are restricted. Proposals go through the Army's foreign-influence risk review.
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
Good fit for companies with a research question that matches an ARL topic and a team that can publish or prototype. Poor fit for product sales or late-stage development.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For standing BAAs like ARL's, we help you:
- Map your technology to the right ARL topics
- Prepare the first contact with the topic lead
- Write five-page white papers
- Build full proposals for invited topics
- Plan several submissions across the year
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the BAA open?
Through November 20, 2027.
How much funding is available?
No total is posted. Award sizes vary by topic and track.
Do I need a white paper?
No, but ARL encourages one before a full proposal.
How long is a white paper?
Up to five pages, with a brief cost estimate.
Where do I send it?
By email to the technical contact named in the topic.
Can foreign organizations apply?
Yes. Proposals also go through the Army's foreign-influence risk review.
What award types are possible?
Contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and OTs.
Can BW&CO help with an ARL BAA submission?
Yes. We can map topics and write white papers with your team. Book a call with our team.