DARPA Atomically Precise Molecules (APM) DARPA-PS-26-141: Complete Guide for Proposers

Executive Summary

DARPA's Atomically Precise Molecules (APM) program is soliciting proposals for new ways to synthesize polymeric materials and nonlinear optical (NLO) materials with molecular level control over sequence, orientation, and composition. DARPA calls these programmable precision polymers.

The program's first target application is the sub-nanosecond electro-optic modulator. Teams must show they can scale their synthesis to quantities that matter for integration, and the program culminates in a prototype demonstration of a new NLO material integrated into a functional government-provided electro-optic modulator. DARPA also points to broader defense and commercial uses such as LiDAR and communications.

APM is released as Program Solicitation DARPA-PS-26-141 and uses Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype agreements with milestone payments. This is not an SBIR or STTR topic, and it has no small business set-aside.

DARPA APM at a Glance

• Solicitation number: DARPA-PS-26-141
• Agency: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Multi X Office
• Program manager: John M. Hoffman
• Published: September 25, 2026
• Abstract deadline: October 27, 2026
• Proposal deadline: December 18, 2026, 1:00 PM Eastern
• Award instrument: Other Transaction for Prototype, paid against milestones
• Program length: 36 months across two phases
• Set-aside: None
• NAICS: 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
• Contact: APM PS Coordinator, apm@darpa.mil

What DARPA Wants to Fund

DARPA is looking for revolutionary advances in material synthesis, not refinements of today's materials. Strong proposals will show a credible path to:

• New chemistries that give precise control over polymer sequence, orientation, and composition
• NLO materials that outperform the current state of the art for high speed electro-optic modulation
• Synthesis that scales to quantities relevant for device integration
• A prototype NLO material integrated into a functional government-provided electro-optic modulator

What Is Out of Scope

The solicitation is explicit about what it will not fund:

• Research that mainly produces evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice
• Proposals built on exceptional claims that cannot be technically justified
• Approaches that use only inorganic materials with no polymeric component
• Modifying or repurposing existing NLO materials for incremental gains

How the Two-Phase Program Works

Phase 1: New Chemistries (12 months)

Teams develop new chemistries capable of producing programmable precision polymers and prove out the level of molecular control they claim.

Phase 2: Materials and Devices (24 months)

Teams apply those chemistries to synthesize advanced NLO materials at useful quantities and integrate them into functional electro-optic modulator devices.

Who Should Apply

APM rewards multidisciplinary teams. The strongest proposers will bring together polymer synthesis, computational chemistry and materials simulation, characterization, microfabrication, and photonics. Prior NLO experience helps but is not required. Startups with a novel synthesis platform should consider teaming with a university lab or a photonics partner to cover device integration.

How to Apply

• Step 1, abstract: Submit an abstract using the provided template (Attachment A) by October 27, 2026. An abstract is a low-effort way to get DARPA's read on fit before you invest in a full proposal.
• Step 2, full proposal: Submit Volume I (Technical) and Volume II (Price) by December 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern, along with the proposal summary slide, Task Description Document, price detail spreadsheet, schedule of milestones and payments, and OT certifications.
• Step 3, submission: Proposals go through the DARPA BAA Tool (BAAT) submission portal. Register early, since portal access can take time.

Funding and Award Terms

The notice on SAM.gov does not publish a total program budget or a per-award ceiling. Awards are made as Other Transaction for Prototype agreements, which means payments are tied to milestones you propose in your schedule. Your price volume and milestone plan carry real weight, so build them alongside the technical approach rather than at the end.

Controlled Unclassified Information

The solicitation includes a program CUI guide (Attachment J). Expect some program information and deliverables to be handled as Controlled Unclassified Information, and make sure your organization can meet those safeguarding requirements before you submit.

How to Prepare Now

• Read the full solicitation and every attachment on SAM.gov, including the proposer checklist
• Write a one-page technical concept that states why your chemistry is revolutionary, not incremental
• Line up partners for any gaps in synthesis, modeling, characterization, or photonics integration
• Draft milestones that map cleanly to the two phases and to measurable NLO performance
• Register for the DARPA BAAT portal and confirm your SAM.gov registration is active

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DARPA-PS-26-141? It is the Program Solicitation for DARPA's Atomically Precise Molecules (APM) program, which funds new synthesis methods for programmable precision polymers and nonlinear optical materials, starting with sub-nanosecond electro-optic modulators.

When is the deadline? Abstracts are due October 27, 2026. Full proposals are due December 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern.

Is APM an SBIR or STTR opportunity? No. It is a DARPA Program Solicitation awarded through Other Transaction for Prototype agreements, and it has no small business set-aside.

How much funding is available? DARPA has not published a total budget or award ceiling in the SAM.gov notice. Funding is paid against the milestones in each awarded agreement.

How long is the program? 36 months. Phase 1 runs 12 months and focuses on new chemistries. Phase 2 runs 24 months and focuses on materials synthesis and device integration.

What will DARPA not fund? Incremental improvements, purely inorganic approaches with no polymeric component, repurposed existing NLO materials, and claims that cannot be technically justified.

Who should I contact with questions? The APM PS Coordinator at apm@darpa.mil.

Sources

• SAM.gov: Atomically Precise Molecules (APM), DARPA-PS-26-141
• DARPA: Atomically Precise Molecules program page

Get Your APM Abstract Ready

DARPA programs move fast, and the abstract window is short. BW&CO helps deep-tech teams test fit, shape a revolutionary technical story, and build milestone plans that hold up under DARPA review. Book a free strategy call with our team to see if APM is right for you.