DARPA Surgical Competition (DSC)

Executive summary

DARPA's Surgical Competition awards $3.5M in prizes to teams whose robotic systems assist with, or independently perform, trauma surgery tasks. Companies and teams of any nationality can compete. Register for the virtual industry day by November 2, 2026, 5:00 PM ET; qualification packets are due as early as October 30.

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There is no proposal and no cost share. Teams qualify with a packet that includes demonstration videos, and up to 10 teams advance to a January 2027 workshop and the scored competition in March 2027.

Solicitation at a glance

• Agency: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Biological Technologies Office
• Opportunity: DARPA Surgical Competition (DSC)
• Notice: DARPA-SN-27-02 (Second Industry Day)
• Award vehicle: Prize competition under 10 U.S.C. 4025
• Funding: $3.5M in total prizes
• Key dates: Industry Day registration closes November 2, 2026, 5:00 PM ET; qualification packets due as early as October 30, 2026 (DARPA has published both October 30 and November 13; confirm with SurgicalCompetition@darpa.mil)

Think your team qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the qualification deadline.

Book a Free Fit Call

What is the DARPA Surgical Competition?

An open, global prize challenge run by DARPA's Biological Technologies Office. Teams build robotic systems that help a surgeon with trauma procedures (Lane 1, surgical collaboration) or perform them with increasing independence (Lane 2, surgical independence).

What problem is DARPA trying to solve?

Severely injured service members often cannot reach a surgeon in time. DARPA wants robotic surgical capability that can work closer to the point of injury and with fewer specialists on hand.

Prize structure

• Lane 1, surgical collaboration: $1M first, $400K second, $100K third
• Lane 2, surgical independence: $1M first, $400K second, $100K third
• Component gates: additional prizes for passing specific technical gates
• Field size: up to 10 qualified teams

Eligibility

• Individuals and teams of any nationality may compete.
• Excluded: people on the Specially Designated Nationals list, DARPA staff and support contractors, and systems from companies on the DoD 1260H list.
• Government organizations and FFRDCs may compete but cannot win prize money.
• Prize winners need a U.S. Social Security number or taxpayer ID.

How to apply

• Register for the Second Industry Day (virtual, November 4, 2026, 4:00 to 6:00 PM ET) by November 2, 5:00 PM ET. Non-U.S. citizens must file DARPA Form 60 by October 26, 5:00 PM.
• Prepare the qualification packet: demonstration videos showing robotic motion, an emergency stop and three surgical tasks.
• Start network setup early: DARPA's data access requires a whitelisted static IP, which can take about two weeks.
• Confirm the qualification deadline with SurgicalCompetition@darpa.mil.

What happens after you submit?

• Qualification review: up to 10 teams qualify.
• January 15 to 24, 2027: workshop.
• March 20 to 26, 2027: scored competition.

Is this opportunity a good fit for your company?

Strong fit if you already have a working robotic platform with surgical or fine-manipulation capability and can produce demonstration video soon. Weak fit for software-only teams without hardware, or teams that need upfront funding to build a system.

How BW&CO can help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For prize competitions like the DARPA Surgical Competition, we help you:

• Decide which lane fits your system
• Plan a qualification packet that shows the required tasks clearly
• Line up the DARPA follow-on paths that prize winners can pursue
• Map related military medicine funding (USSOCOM, DHA, CDMRP)
• Keep the timeline realistic against the qualification deadline

Plan your DARPA Surgical Competition entry

Frequently asked questions

Is this a grant or contract?

Neither. It is a prize competition; winners receive prize money and there is no proposal.

How much can one team win?

Up to $1M for first place in a lane, plus component gate prizes.

Can startups compete?

Yes. Companies and teams of any nationality can compete, with the exclusions listed above.

Do I need a U.S. company?

Not to compete. Winners need a U.S. Social Security number or taxpayer ID to receive prizes.

When is the qualification deadline?

DARPA's pages list October 30, 2026, 4:00 PM ET; the industry day notice lists November 13. Plan for October 30 and confirm with DARPA.

What goes in the qualification packet?

Demonstration videos of robotic motion, an emergency stop and three surgical tasks.

Is there an industry day?

Yes, virtual on November 4, 2026; registration closes November 2, 5:00 PM ET.

Is cost share required?

No.

Can BW&CO help with a DARPA Surgical Competition entry?

Yes. We help teams choose a lane, plan the qualification packet and map follow-on funding. Book a call with our team.

Source: DARPA Surgical Competition