DARPA Information Innovation Office (I2O) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)
Executive Summary:
DARPA’s Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide BAA invites proposals for multiple awards to develop revolutionary information and computational technologies in areas such as transformative AI, resilient and secure software, cyber operations, and information-domain capabilities. Abstracts may be submitted on a rolling basis until November 1, 2026, and full proposals until November 30, 2026.
How much funding would I receive?
DARPA does not publish fixed award amounts for this BAA. I2O funds a limited number of proposals, and budgets are determined by the technical approach, the scope of work, and alignment with I2O priorities.
What could I use the funding for?
The Information Innovation Office (I2O) creates groundbreaking science and delivers future capabilities in the information and computational domains to surprise adversaries and maintain enduring advantage for national security. I2O efforts typically address one or more of the following key thrust areas:
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We seek to invest in trustworthy, disruptive artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and methodologies relevant to national security. We define trustworthy systems as ones that operate competently, interact appropriately with humans, and behave ethically and morally.
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We believe a world without software vulnerabilities is possible. We seek to use formal methods and third-wave AI to make it easier to understand, build, update, repair, and restore complex software and cyber-physical systems with multi-system-wide, securityrelevant correctness guarantees. We also seek methods to provide continuing operation of a system under duress. Techniques and tools are provided as open-source software for use by the research and software development communities, the defense industrial base (DIB), and the Department of Defense (DoD). Example systems are large scale manufacturing, financial systems, large scale infrastructure, and transportation systems.
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We're leveraging advances in state-of-the-art AI and secure and resilient tools and technologies to produce trustworthy cyber capabilities that operate beyond human capacity and speed. We seek capabilities to assure the privacy of users and user information and actions. Our efforts anticipate adversary countermeasures to create enduring capabilities.
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We focus on measuring the health of and protecting and detecting attacks on the information domain, broadly construed. Our research portfolio spans many levels:
Cognitive: Beliefs and attitudes
Semantic: Knowledge that's specialized to particular domains, e.g., scientific discourse, the financial system, supply chains, and other areas
Tracking: Recording the digital artifacts of interactions with the myriad digital devices required by modern life
Transport: Delivery of electronic messages in many forms and with various gradations of observability
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I2O may also consider submissions outside these thrust areas if the proposal involves the development of novel capabilities having a promise to provide decisive information or computational advantage for the United States and its allies. I2O seeks unconventional approaches that are outside the mainstream, challenge accepted assumptions, and have the potential to change established practices radically. Proposed research should enable revolutionary advances in science, technology, or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of the art.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Beyond the direct award, DARPA funding offers significant strategic advantages:
Government Validation and Credibility:
Receiving a DARPA award signals exceptional scientific and engineering merit, which accelerates engagement with primes, integrators, strategic partners, and investors.
Enhanced Visibility and Notoriety:
DARPA programs are frequently highlighted in federal communications, technical conferences, and defense media—boosting your company’s profile across the national security sector.
Ecosystem Access and Collaboration Opportunities:
Awardees gain access to DARPA program managers, government labs, test ranges, and a high-level innovation network—opening doors to future contracts and partnerships.
Stronger Exit and Acquisition Potential:
Nondilutive funding that matures breakthrough technology, combined with the DARPA “stamp,” often increases valuation and attractiveness to large defense, aerospace, semiconductor, and AI-focused acquirers.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Abstracts: May be submitted on a rolling basis until November 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
Full proposals: May be submitted on a rolling basis until November 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
The BAA does not specify dates for award decisions or when funding would be released; those depend on DARPA’s evaluation and negotiation timelines.
Where does this funding come from?
Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Defense through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), specifically the Information Innovation Office (I2O).
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?
The evaluation criteria (in descending order of importance) are:
Overall Scientific and Technical Merit
Innovative, feasible, and complete technical approach.
Team expertise and experience aligned with proposed tasks.
Clear deliverables and logical task sequence.
Identification and credible mitigation of key technical risks.
Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission
Strengthens the national security technology base.
Supports DARPA’s mission to make pivotal early technology investments that create or prevent technological surprise.
Plans to Implement Resilient Software (when applicable)
Clear capability to design, implement, and deliver resilient software.
Ensures interoperability, security, and ability to meet DoD/DARPA mission objectives.
Uses formal methods when appropriate to work toward eliminating software vulnerabilities.
Cost Realism
Costs are realistic and consistent with the technical approach and Statement of Work.
Effort leverages relevant prior research to maximize benefit from available funding.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Abstract requirement: A proposal will not be reviewed unless an abstract has been submitted and DARPA has issued an invitation to propose.
Scope of work: Proposers may not propose work that they have already completed or that has already received funding or a positive funding decision from DARPA or another Government agency.
Revolutionary advances only: Research that primarily yields evolutionary improvements to existing state of the art is explicitly excluded.
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 to submit an abstract for a flat fee of $5,000.
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.