DARPA Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) Office-Wide BAA

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) is offering funding for revolutionary research across microelectronics, photonic circuits, quantum systems, biological/organic circuits, advanced manufacturing ecosystems, and dual-use microsystems. Multiple awards are anticipated, with no predefined funding limits. Abstracts are accepted until January 15, 2026, and proposals until March 2, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

Funding amount is flexible. DARPA anticipates multiple awards, and efforts may span basic research (6.1), applied research (6.2), or advanced technology development (6.3). Proposers can also elect an Accelerated Award Option for awards under $2 million with 30-day award timelines.

What could I use the funding for?

Research areas of current interest to MTO include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Quantum circuits

  1. Interconnect technologies for transferring quantum states between qubit platforms

  2. Generalizable improvements for processing chain for all types of quantum sensors

  3. High density low loss mixed signal transfer between room and quantum temperatures

• Biological circuits

  1. High throughput molecular readers for full spectrum sequencing

  2. 3-dimensional bio-templated self-assembly of microsystems

  3. Highly-parallel DNA writing platforms for long DNA writes for genome-scale complexity with low error

• Photonic circuits

  1. Applications for purely photonic circuits not realizable in electronic circuits

  2. Chip scale photonics for ultralow noise microwave sources

  3. Tunable chip scale ultrafast (<10 ps) lasers

  4. Fiber-inspired ultralow loss integrated photonics

• Manufacturing Ecosystem

  1. Litho- and etch-free direct nanoscale semiconductor manufacturing

  2. Low-loss high permeability/permittivity materials

  3. High density cryogenic-to-room-temperature interconnects

  4. Atomically precise, multi-chemistry molecular manufacturing technologies

  5. Energy reclamation from low-grade waste heat

  6. Reconfigurable multiscale manufacturing for onshore manufacturing

• Dual Use by Design

  1. All-weather long distance high bandwidth communications

  2. Commercially relevant tool development challenge problems

  3. Conformal and malleable batteries

  4. Design and assembly of complex microsystems in supply-chain-free environments

  5. Reconfigurable additive manufacturing for multiple classes of materials

  6. Context aware imaging

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond direct funding, awardees gain significant strategic advantages:

Government Validation & Credibility
DARPA selection signals elite technical quality and national-security relevance — often accelerating partnerships with primes, OEMs, and investors.

Enhanced Market Visibility
Awards frequently lead to increased visibility through DARPA communications, publications, and industry attention.

Ecosystem Access & Collaboration
Awardees join a national innovation community spanning quantum, photonics, microelectronics, and advanced materials — opening doors to long-term collaborations and follow-on opportunities.

Stronger Exit & Acquisition Potential
Non-dilutive support enables deep tech maturation without equity loss. Companies validated by DARPA historically see improved valuation, stronger commercial traction, and increased acquisition interest.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

Abstract Deadline: January 15, 2026, 1:00 PM ET

Proposal Deadline: March 2, 2026, 1:00 PM ET

DARPA reviews proposals on a rolling basis.

If you select the Accelerated Award Option (<$2M projects), DARPA may issue an award within 30 days of selection notification.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the Microsystems Technology Office (STO).

Who is eligible to apply?

The BAA does not restrict eligibility. Typical DARPA BAAs accept proposals from:

• U.S. businesses of any size

• Universities

• Nonprofits

• Federally-funded research and development centers (with limitations)

Foreign entities may be subject to additional restrictions depending on classification and export-control considerations.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

DARPA will select proposals that score highly on scientific merit, mission relevance, and cost realism.

• High Scientific & Technical Merit: Innovative, feasible, and well-justified approaches with clear deliverables, identified risks and credible mitigations, and a team with the expertise to execute.

• Strong Contribution to DARPA’s Mission: Efforts that meaningfully advance U.S. national security capabilities, show a credible transition path to U.S. defense applications, and include an IP strategy that does not hinder government use.

• Realistic, Well-Substantiated Costs: Budgets that accurately reflect the level of effort, materials, labor, and technical scope—avoiding artificially low estimates and demonstrating efficient use of prior research and existing capabilities.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Research must be revolutionary, not incremental.

• CMMC Level 2 is required for procurement contracts beginning Nov 10, 2025.

• Foreign influence and security review applies to fundamental research teams.

• Classified submissions require coordination with DARPA security.

• Export control and CUI restrictions apply.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive submission under this BAA will likely take 120–160 hours in total.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Our full service support is available for a flat fee of $5,000 for the Abstract Submission.

Fractional support is $300 per hour, with most DARPA proposal projects requiring 80–100 hours of expert support from strategy through submission of full proposal.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

See solicitation on sam.gov

ARPA-H Health Science Futures (HSF) Mission Office BAA

Executive Summary:

The ARPA-H Health Science Futures (HSF) Mission Office is accepting Solution Summaries and full proposals for revolutionary health R&D under its Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO), ARPA-H-SOL-24-104. Multiple awards are anticipated via Other Transaction (OT) agreements. The ISO remains open through March 5, 2029, and you must submit a short Solution Summary and receive written feedback before a full proposal. Submissions must align with HSF focus areas (e.g., breakthrough technologies, transformative tools, and adaptable platform systems) and are expected to be high-risk, high-impact—incremental or clinical-trial-stage efforts are out of scope.

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation does not specify dollar amounts or funding ceilings. Awards are made as Other Transaction (OT) agreements at the government’s discretion, with specific payment structures negotiated individually. As a rule of thumb, companies should request only what they need to reach a meaningful technical or commercialization milestone—a concrete point that clearly demonstrates feasibility, enables transition, or unlocks follow-on investment.

What could I use the funding for?

This ISO seeks solution summaries and proposal submissions for projects that fall within the general scope of the ARPA-H Health Science Futures (HSF) mission office. The HSF mission office expands what is technically possible by developing approaches that will remove the scientific and technological limitations that stymie progress towards the healthcare of the future. The HSF mission office
supports cutting-edge, often disease-agnostic research programs that have the potential for translational real-world change. Specifically excluded from consideration are proposals that represent an evolutionary or incremental advance in the current state of the art, or technology that has reached the clinical trial stage. An example of this type of proposal might include the request to fund clinical trials of an otherwise developed product. Additionally, proposals directed toward policy changes; traditional education and training; center coordination, formation, or development; and construction of physical infrastructure are outside the scope of the ARPA-H mission.

The following areas define the ground-breaking research that HSF seeks to support:

• Breakthrough Technologies

  Paradigm shifting technologies that will change how we approach the diagnosis, treatment, and impact of diseases and conditions.

  • Novel approaches to improve maternal and fetal medicine, decrease maternal morbidity and mortality during birth, and the post-partum period. Efforts should include new technology to monitor, detect, and/or treat maternal and/or fetal complications with less invasive and traumatic methods.

  • Foundational advances in genetic, epigenetic, cellular, tissue, and organ replacement therapies that enable personalized medical interventions at scale in a manner that is accessible, cost-effective, and designed to impact the communities of greatest need.

  • Interventions that target and reverse disease pathogenesis and/or enhance plasticity to address diseases of the nervous, neuromuscular, skeletal, lymphatic, cardiovascular, and other organ systems.

  • Novel approaches to definitively diagnose and cure chronic diseases including, but not limited to, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, etc.), and cancer.

  • Technologies that expand the precision, scale, and accessibility of brain circuit mapping technologies that enable causative neuropsychiatric links to mental health disorders leading to definitive diagnosis and reliable therapeutic monitoring.

• Transformative Tools

  Novel, agile solutions that will move from bench to bedside quickly, facilitating revolutionary advances in medical care.

  • Development of tools that counter idiosyncratic, off-target, or chronic effects of medicines that are commonly used or that are being used experimentally to treat or prevent disease.

  • Development of bionic or biohybrid devices that enable direct integration and communication with the body to activate restorative pathways that restore lost senses, physical abilities, immune functions, and other organ functions.

  • Site-selective neuromodulation to regulate specific physiological functions and treat chronic health conditions such as inflammation, pain, and metabolic or endocrine disorders.

  • Synthetic biology approaches incorporating novel logic mechanisms, disease targeting and response methods, and robust control strategies to diagnose, and/or cure a multitude of diseases.

  • Imaging or other technologies engineered from discoveries at the forefront of physics and/or chemistry that reduce cost, improve size and/or portability, increase availability, expand capability, improve resolution, reduce exposure to radiation, and accommodate pediatric patient populations.

  • Integrated sensing and therapy delivery devices for addressing chronic health conditions, including mental health conditions or substance use disorders.

• Platform Systems

  Adaptable, multi-application systems and technologies that are reconfigurable for a wide variety of clinical needs.

  • Novel molecular platforms to target and cure diseases, including the modulation of physiological systems, delivery to targets with spatial and temporal precision, and mitigation of off-target effects to accelerate interventions that dramatically improve health outcomes.

  • New approaches to accelerate and routinize mammalian and microbial cellular engineering to enable next generation therapeutic applications, develop multiscale interventions, and automate hypothesis generation and discovery to expand those applications to disease states in which cellular therapies have not traditionally been employed.

  • Innovative approaches at the intersection of artificial intelligence, high performance computing (including quantum computing) and biological systems, including enabling de novo design of biomolecules with entirely new phenotypes.

  • Revolutionary omics platforms that enable unprecedented spatial and temporal scales and resolution of physiological and disease mechanisms.

• Other Technologies

  Other high-quality submissions that propose revolutionary technologies that meet the goals of HSF will be considered even if they do not address the other listed topics.

  Proposals in response to this Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) are expected to identify innovative approaches to enable revolutionary advances in medicine and healthcare and the science and technologies underlying these areas. While approaches that are disease agnostic are encouraged, ARPA-H welcomes proposals that offer radically new insights to address specific health conditions, including (but not limited to) cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes, infectious and neurological diseases, and pediatric and maternal/fetal health.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, there are significant indirect benefits to receiving an ARPA-H Health Science Futures (HSF) agreement:

• Government Validation and Credibility:
  Being selected by ARPA-H—the nation’s newest high-impact biomedical research agency—signals exceptional scientific credibility and alignment with the federal government’s most forward-leaning health innovation priorities. This “ARPA-H validation” often accelerates partnerships with major healthcare systems, research institutions, and investors who recognize the rigor and selectivity of government-vetted innovation.

• Enhanced Market Visibility and Notoriety:
  Award recipients are frequently featured in ARPA-H announcements, federal health innovation communications, and national press coverage. This visibility positions your company as a recognized leader in translational health technology and attracts new collaborators, talent, and private-sector investment.

• Ecosystem Access and Collaboration Opportunities:
  ARPA-H performers gain access to a broad innovation ecosystem spanning federal health agencies, academic research centers, and industry partners. These relationships foster collaboration, facilitate regulatory readiness, and open pathways to follow-on contracts, pilot deployments, and commercialization opportunities within the U.S. health system.

• Nondilutive Growth and Strategic Leverage:
  Because funding is nondilutive, companies can scale and validate core technologies without giving up equity. This validation and maturity achieved under government sponsorship often lead to higher valuations and greater leverage in future fundraising or acquisition discussions.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

Open period: now through March 5, 2029.

• Step 1 (required): Submit a Solution Summary via the ARPA-H Solution Submission Portal. ARPA-H strives to provide written feedback within 30 business days of submission.

• Step 2: If encouraged, you’ll generally have 45 calendar days from feedback to submit a full proposal (unless ARPA-H specifies otherwise).

• Review cadence: ARPA-H reviews proposals on a rolling basis and strives to issue a decision within 60 calendar days of receiving a full proposal.

• Award timing: After selection, final negotiations for an Other Transaction (OT) award are completed rapidly, and invoicing is handled through Payment Management Services.

Because of this streamlined process, most ARPA-H applicants move from initial Solution Summary to award decision in approximately 4–5 months—making ARPA-H one of the fastest federal funders for high-impact health innovation projects.

Where does this funding come from?

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), a federal R&D agency within HHS, issuing awards under the authority of 42 U.S.C. § 290c(g)(1)(D) via OT agreements.

Who is eligible to apply?

Academia, non-profit organizations, for-profit entities, hospitals, community health centers, and non-federal research centers. Non-U.S. entities may participate if compliant with all applicable laws.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Reviewers assess (in descending importance):

1. Scientific/technical merit—innovative, complete plans with clear deliverables, risks, and mitigations;

2. Contribution & relevance to ARPA-H’s mission—transformative potential, unmet need, commercialization/transition thinking, and IP/software approaches that enable adoption (preference for open standards/OSS where appropriate);

3. Team capabilities/experience—track record delivering similar efforts on budget/schedule;

4. Cost/budget alignment with the technical approach. ARPA-H encourages proposing the best technical solution over low-risk/minimal-uncertainty concepts.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Standards & IP: strong preference for open, consensus-based standards (e.g., FHIR/TEFCA, DICOM) and commercial-friendly open-source licenses when feasible; proposals must justify any deviations/standard extensions and may need a pre-submission meeting for exceptions. Provide good-faith IP rights representations; pre-publication review may be required when sensitive info could be disclosed.

• Compliance: Human Subjects (IRB), Animal Subjects (IACUC), NIH Genomic Data Sharing (if applicable), CUI handling, research security disclosures (including CHIPS/NPSM-33 requirements), and OCI disclosures/mitigation.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive full proposal under this BAA will likely take 120–160 hours in total.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under Federal & State R&D Initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Our full service support is available for a flat fee of $4,000 to submit a solution summary.

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

CHIPS Research & Development Office (CRDO) Broad Agency Announcement

Executive Summary:

The CHIPS Research and Development Office (CRDO) at NIST is awarding at least $10 Million per award—via Other Transaction (OT) agreements—for research, prototyping, and commercialization projects that advance U.S. microelectronics, including work tied to AI, quantum, biotechnology/biomanufacturing, commercialization of innovation, and standards. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis which means companies should submit white papers ASAP. Receive a complimentary assessment to see if your company and project is a fit for this funding.

How much funding would I receive?

Budgets should be at least $10 million and reflect actual project needs. CRDO may fund only a portion of total costs and can fund multi-phase projects incrementally based on satisfactory progress, mission fit, and availability of funds. Awards are negotiated as OT agreements. Cost sharing is not required for all awards, though CRDO may choose to fund only part of a project.

What could I use the funding for?

Eligible activities include research, prototyping, and commercialization efforts that strengthen U.S. leadership and the domestic semiconductor ecosystem. Priority topic areas include:

• Semiconductors (e.g., advanced testing/assembly/packaging, next-gen devices and memory, design co-optimization, automation/AI in fabs, secure supply chains)

• Application of AI for advanced microelectronics R&D (e.g., compute efficiency, edge AI, cryogenic ops, fab acceleration)

• Application of quantum technology (e.g., scalable quantum computing, quantum networks/sensing, domestic production of quantum hardware)

• Application of biotechnology/biomanufacturing for microelectronics (e.g., bioelectronics, implantable devices, scaling domestic bio-electronics manufacturing)

• Commercialization of innovations (e.g., adopting and commercializing federally funded discoveries, including through consortia)

• Standards development (e.g., quantum manufacturing, data/design/provenance/security standards).

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, there are significant indirect benefits to receiving a CHIPS R&D Office (CRDO) award:

• Government Validation and Credibility:
  Being selected by NIST’s CRDO signals strong technical credibility and alignment with national semiconductor priorities. That stamp of approval often accelerates partnerships with OEMs, primes, and investors who trust government-vetted innovation.

• Enhanced Market Visibility and Notoriety:
  Award recipients frequently receive public recognition in federal announcements, CHIPS R&D Office communications, and industry press. This visibility helps position your company as a trusted, strategic player in the microelectronics ecosystem.

• Ecosystem Access and Collaboration Opportunities:
  CRDO-funded projects are part of a national innovation network—creating opportunities to collaborate with leading researchers, manufacturers, and other awardees. Such access can unlock supply chain partnerships and future contracting opportunities.

• Stronger Exit and Acquisition Potential:
  By maturing technology under nondilutive support and demonstrating government-backed validation, recipients often achieve greater value at exit—especially when positioning for acquisition by larger defense, semiconductor, or AI hardware firms.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

Applications (beginning with a required White Paper) are accepted on a rolling basis through September 30, 2029 via Grants.gov. If a White Paper shows sufficient merit and relevance, CRDO may invite a Pre-negotiation Package (detailed technical and cost proposal). Awards are made on a rolling basis as packages are evaluated and terms are finalized. A specific funding disbursement date is not specified. Maximum project period is up to 5 years.

Where does this funding come from?

U.S. Department of Commerce, NIST—through the CHIPS Research and Development Office (CRDO)—under authority including 15 U.S.C. § 4656 and related CHIPS R&D statutes/policies. Assistance Listing: 11.042 CHIPS R&D.

Who is eligible to apply?

Domestic entities only: for-profit organizations, non-profits, accredited higher-education institutions, FFRDCs, and Federal entities (with conditions). Individuals and unincorporated sole proprietors are not eligible. Subawardees may include the above and foreign partners not otherwise prohibited, subject to security and other requirements.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Projects that:

• Advance national and economic security and U.S. technology leadership by strengthening domestic semiconductor supply chains and workforce

• Demonstrate strong scientific/technical merit with clear deliverables

• Show feasibility (experienced team, realistic costs, risk mitigation)

• Have credible commercial viability (market demand, transition plan)

• Show financial viability (sound capex, financial health, credible capital plan).

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Domestic production and control of IP: Foreign entities can apply but should develop and own the IP in the US.

• Security restrictions: no funds to foreign entities of concern; compliance with research security disclosures; prohibition on malign foreign talent recruitment programs

• CRDO may require return-on-investment instruments (e.g., equity, warrants, IP licenses, royalties/revenue sharing)

• Scope: general AI projects not directly tied to advanced microelectronics R&D are out of scope

• Reporting: financial, performance, and/or technical reports are required.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive submission under this BAA will likely take 120–180 hours in total.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50–80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth under CHIPS R&D initiatives.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Our support is available at $300 per hour, with most CRDO proposal projects requiring 80–100 hours of expert support from strategy through submission.

For non-VC backed startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier grant consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

• Webinar - How to Win $10M for R&D from the New CHIPS CRDO BAA

• View Solicitation on Grants.Gov