DARPA Liquid Surge (DARPA-PA-25-07-05)

Executive Summary

DARPA Liquid Surge (DARPA-PA-25-07-05) is a DARPA Defense Sciences Office opportunity to measure and model wave propagation in liquids, paid as Other Transactions. Abstracts are due November 3, 2026; proposals December 14, 2026.

Book a Free Fit Call

Liquid Surge is issued under DARPA's Disruptioneering program announcement (DARPA-PA-25-07), which DARPA uses to test high-risk science quickly through focused, limited-scope investments. DARPA says Disruption Opportunity awards are made no more than 120 days after publication, so selected teams should expect a short path from proposal to agreement.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Defense Sciences Office (DSO)
• Opportunity: Liquid Surge, a Disruption Opportunity under the Disruptioneering program announcement (DARPA-PA-25-07)
• Number: DARPA-PA-25-07-05
• Award Vehicle: Other Transaction for a prototype project
• Funding: No funding amount is posted
• Published: October 14, 2026
• Abstract due: November 3, 2026
• Proposal due: December 14, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
• Program Manager: Carlo Scalo, DARPA DSO

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 3 abstract deadline.

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is DARPA Liquid Surge?

Liquid Surge invites innovative basic or applied research concepts in the technical domain of developing novel metrology for understanding wave propagation in compressible fluids. DARPA describes the goal as advancing scientific understanding, predictive modeling, and metrology of transient wave phenomena in liquid environments under challenging conditions.

What Problem Is DARPA Trying to Solve?

DARPA says the program addresses complex thermodynamic behaviors in dynamic fluid regimes that remain difficult to represent. When transient waves move through a liquid under demanding conditions, current methods struggle to predict and measure what happens. Liquid Surge pairs better models with better measurements to close that gap.

Priority Capability Areas: What DARPA Is Looking For

• Novel metrology: New ways to measure wave propagation in compressible fluids.
• Predictive modeling: Models that represent transient wave behavior in liquid environments.
• Scientific understanding: Research that explains the thermodynamic behavior of dynamic fluid regimes.

Detailed technical goals and deliverables are set in the Disruption Opportunity notice on SAM.gov. Read it in full before writing an abstract.

Funding and Award Terms

• Funding amount: No funding amount is posted.
• Instrument: All awards will be Other Transactions for prototype projects.
• Award timing: DARPA says Disruption Opportunity awards are made no more than 120 days after publication.
• Cost workbook: The notice includes a Liquid Surge Streamlined Cost Buildup Workbook.

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

Eligibility rules, including those for FFRDCs, government entities and non-U.S. participants, are set in the Disruptioneering program announcement and the Liquid Surge notice on SAM.gov. Confirm your team's eligibility there, and send questions to the DARPA contact listed below.

How to Apply

• Read the notice: Review the Liquid Surge notice and its attachments on SAM.gov, along with the Disruptioneering program announcement.
• Use the template: The notice includes a Liquid Surge Abstract Template.
• Submit an abstract by November 3, 2026.
• Submit a full proposal by December 14, 2026, 4:00 PM ET.
• Ask questions: Email the BAA Coordinator at LiquidSurge@darpa.mil.

What Happens After You Submit?

DARPA reviews abstracts before full proposals. Selected teams then negotiate an Other Transaction agreement. Because DARPA aims to make Disruption Opportunity awards within 120 days of publication, plan for a short negotiation window after selection.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

• Fluid physics: You work in computational fluid dynamics, multiscale modeling or thermophysical property prediction for liquids.
• Measurement: You build laboratory experiments or measurement methods for fast, transient wave phenomena in fluids.
• Focused research: You can run a tightly scoped research effort under an Other Transaction.

It may be a weaker fit for teams focused on product development or production. Disruption Opportunities are short, focused research investments.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For DARPA Disruptioneering efforts like Liquid Surge, we help you:

• Map your work: Connect your modeling and measurement capabilities to the Liquid Surge notice.
• Write the abstract: State the scientific approach and validation plan clearly on DARPA's template.
• Build the cost: Complete the streamlined cost buildup workbook.
• Prepare the proposal: Meet the submission requirements in the notice.
• Plan the timeline: Manage registration, teaming and compliance against the deadlines.

Plan Your Liquid Surge Abstract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DARPA Liquid Surge?

A Defense Sciences Office Disruption Opportunity (DARPA-PA-25-07-05) on novel metrology and predictive modeling for wave propagation in liquids.

When are submissions due?

Abstracts are due November 3, 2026. Proposals are due December 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET.

How much funding is available?

No funding amount is posted.

What type of award does Liquid Surge use?

All awards will be Other Transactions for prototype projects.

How fast does DARPA make awards?

DARPA says Disruption Opportunity awards are made no more than 120 days after publication.

Who runs the program?

Program Manager Carlo Scalo in DARPA's Defense Sciences Office.

Who do I contact with questions?

The BAA Coordinator at LiquidSurge@darpa.mil.

Can BW&CO help with a Liquid Surge submission?

Yes. BW&CO helps teams scope the technical approach, write the abstract and proposal, and complete the cost workbook. Book a call with our team.

Source: SAM.gov: Liquid Surge (DARPA-PA-25-07-05) and DARPA Liquid Surge program page