DARPA’s STO: Strategic Technology Office-wide Innovation Solutions Opening
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The DARPA Strategic Technology Office-wide Innovation Solutions Opening (DARPA-PS-26-09) invites companies, universities, and other organizations to submit revolutionary research ideas that could create breakthrough technologies for U.S. national security.
This is a long-term open call that funds high-risk, high-impact research across a wide range of defense technology areas including AI, autonomy, communications, sensors, robotics, directed energy, space systems, and more.
The solicitation is structured as a two-step process: applicants first submit a short abstract. If DARPA determines the idea is promising, the agency will invite the team to submit a full proposal.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the closing deadline.
Final application deadline: October 31, 2027 at 11:59 PM ET.
Because DARPA reviews submissions continuously and may fund projects at any time during the open period, early submission significantly increases the likelihood of consideration.
How much funding would I receive?
The solicitation states:
Multiple awards are anticipated.
Individual award sizes are not specified in the solicitation.
Applicants must include a Price / Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate in their abstract submission.
Funding may be structured through several possible award mechanisms.
What could I use the funding for?
Funding supports research and development that creates revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems. Incremental improvements to existing technologies are specifically discouraged.
Areas of interest include (but are not limited to):
Advanced computing
Applied artificial intelligence
Autonomy and control algorithms
Communications and networking
Electromagnetic warfare
Radar and sensing technologies
Robotics
Directed energy systems
Space systems and sensors
Human-machine collaboration
Signal processing
System-of-systems engineering
Undersea technologies
Logistics and supply chain analytics
The Strategic Technology Office focuses on technologies that enable new mission systems for air, space, sea, and land warfare environments.
Projects may include:
Short-duration analytical studies
Proof-of-concept experiments
Early-stage research that informs future DARPA programs
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Awardees may receive:
Funding through Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), cooperative agreements, or procurement for experimental purposes.
The opportunity to transition technologies into U.S. national security applications and industry.
Access to DARPA program managers and defense technology ecosystems.
The program is designed to seed new DARPA programs and mission systems, making it a potential entry point for future defense funding.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Posting date: December 19, 2025.
The solicitation uses a two-phase submission process:
Step 1 — Abstract submission
Abstracts may be submitted on a rolling basis until October 31, 2027 at 11:59 PM ET.
Step 2 — Full proposal (by invitation only)
DARPA reviews abstracts first.
If the idea is considered promising, DARPA will invite the team to submit a full proposal.
Final closing date:
October 31, 2027 at 11:59 PM ET.
DARPA may request proposals at any time after abstract review, so timing for awards is not specified in the solicitation.
Where does this funding come from?
Funding comes from:
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Strategic Technology Office (STO)
U.S. Department of Defense
The program operates under authorities including:
10 U.S.C. § 4001
10 U.S.C. § 4021
10 U.S.C. § 4022
10 U.S.C. § 4023
These authorities allow DARPA to fund research using flexible contracting mechanisms such as OTAs and cooperative agreements.
Who is eligible to apply?
The solicitation states that all responsible sources capable of meeting the Government’s needs may submit a proposal, including:
U.S. companies
Universities
Research institutions
Non-U.S. organizations
Individuals
Government entities (with additional justification)
Small businesses, minority institutions, and historically Black colleges and universities are encouraged to participate.
However:
University-Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs)
Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)
are highly discouraged from applying unless an exception is granted by DARPA.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
DARPA evaluates submissions primarily on:
Scientific and technical merit
Potential contribution to the DARPA mission
Price realism
Successful projects typically:
Propose innovative and feasible technical approaches
Offer revolutionary advances rather than incremental improvements
Demonstrate clear national security relevance
Show credible plans to transition the technology into U.S. defense or industry applications.
DARPA notes that short-duration exploratory projects, such as studies or proof-of-concept experiments, may receive priority during abstract evaluation.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Key restrictions include:
Proposals must not duplicate existing DARPA programs.
Work that results primarily in evolutionary improvements to existing technologies is excluded.
A written abstract must be submitted before any proposal submission.
A full proposal can only be submitted after receiving a DARPA invitation.
Additional requirements include:
Disclosure of potential organizational conflicts of interest
Compliance with export control laws and security regulations
Possible cybersecurity compliance with NIST SP 800-171
Restrictions preventing organizations from simultaneously serving as technical performers and SETA/A&AS support contractors.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
The initial submission is designed to be low-burden.
The required abstract:
Maximum 3 pages
Must describe the concept, technical approach, and estimated cost (ROM).
For most companies, preparing the abstract typically requires several days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the technology and team coordination.
If DARPA invites a full proposal, preparation time will increase significantly.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO helps companies:
Identify DARPA-appropriate technology concepts
Translate commercial technology into DARPA-relevant national security applications
Write compelling 3-page DARPA abstracts
Develop strong technical narratives aligned with the Heilmeier Questions
Build teams and structure proposal submissions
Prepare full proposals after DARPA invitations
Our team has experience helping companies navigate DARPA’s two-step abstract-to-proposal process.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($15,000 + 5%) available.