DARPA Strategic Technology Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)
Executive Summary:
DARPA’s Strategic Technology Office (STO) BAA is soliciting breakthrough research concepts that create new mission-level capabilities beyond the current state of practice. The agency will fund a limited number of high-risk, high-reward proposals across a broad range of defense and national-security technical domains. Applications are due December 19, 2025.
How much funding would I receive?
DARPA does not publish fixed award amounts for this BAA. STO funds a limited number of proposals, and budgets are determined by the technical approach, the scope of work, and alignment with STO priorities.
What could I use the funding for?
DARPA's STO seeks innovative ideas and disruptive technologies that provide the U.S. military and national security leaders with trusted, disruptive capabilities across all physical domains (Air, Space, Sea, and Land) and across the spectrum of competition. STO programs deliver solutions at speed and scale for today's warfighters while developing the resilient "breakthrough" systems and technologies needed for future battlespaces. STO does not focus on one area of responsibility or phenomenology. Rather, STO programs capture the strategic, logistical, and tactical complexity of today's national security environments. STO is a "systems office" seeking to create new "proof-of-concept" mission systems. Its goals are to develop and demonstrate new capabilities that expand what is technically possible.
Research areas of current interest to STO include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
Acoustic communication and sensing
Adaptability
Advanced computing
Additive manufacturing
Architecture and advanced systems engineering
Artificial intelligence
Autonomy and control algorithms
"Big data" analytics
Combat identification
Command and control (C2)
Communications and networking, virtual and adaptive
Complexity management
Critical infrastructure defense
Decision aids and C2 technology
DevOps and novel software development and integration
Directed energy (DE)
Distributed autonomy and teaming (machine-machine, human-machine)
Economic security
Effects chain functions (disaggregated find, fix, finish, target, engage, assess)
Electro-optic/infrared sensors
Electromagnetic warfare (EW)
High-frequency (HF) communications and sensing
High voltage electric power systems and architecture
Human behavior modeling
Human-machine symbiosis
Industrial engineering
Integration and reliability technologies
Interoperability
Logistics
Modeling and simulation
Microwave and millimeter wave communications and sensing
Novel kinetic effects
Non-kinetic effects (EW, DE, cyber)
Optical technologies
Photonics
Radio technologies (especially software-defined and novel waveforms and processing)
Radar and adaptive arrays
Resilient systems
Robotics
Seekers and other expendable sensors and processing
Sensors and analytics
Signal processing
Space sensors, communications, autonomy, and architectures (especially supporting proliferated low earth orbit constellations)
Strategy analysis technology
Supply chain analytics
System of systems
Undersea and seabed technology
Tactics development technology
Testing and data collection
Very low earth orbit (VLEO) technology
Very low frequency (VLF) technology
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?
Applications are due December 19, 2025.
DARPA does not publish a fixed award timeline.
Where does this funding come from?
Funding comes from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the Strategic Technology Office (STO), a DoD organization responsible for advanced mission-level systems and emerging technologies.
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?
DARPA will select proposals that score highly on scientific merit, mission relevance, and cost realism.
High Scientific & Technical Merit: Innovative, feasible, and well-justified approaches with clear deliverables, identified risks and credible mitigations, and a team with the expertise to execute.
Strong Contribution to DARPA’s Mission: Efforts that meaningfully advance U.S. national security capabilities, show a credible transition path to U.S. defense applications, and include an IP strategy that does not hinder government use.
Realistic, Well-Substantiated Costs: Budgets that accurately reflect the level of effort, materials, labor, and technical scope—avoiding artificially low estimates and demonstrating efficient use of prior research and existing capabilities.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Proposals must not duplicate existing STO programs or other active STO BAAs.
Research that yields incremental or “evolutionary” improvements is specifically excluded.
Offerors are strongly encouraged to review current STO programs and speak with program managers before applying.
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 for a flat fee of $15,000 Project + a 5% Success Fee.
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.