Executive Summary
The U.S. Army DEVCOM Soldier Center accepts concept papers for research that improves what soldiers wear, carry, eat and train with. Startups, universities and nonprofits can apply. It stays open through February 27, 2030, so you can submit when your idea is ready.
The process starts small: a concept paper of up to five pages sent to the technical point of contact for your topic. The Army reviews it within 90 days and invites a full proposal only if it sees a fit.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center, Natick, MA
- Opportunity: Broad Agency Announcement for Basic and Applied Research
- Solicitation Number: W911QY25R0023
- Award Vehicle: Procurement contracts, cooperative agreements or grants. The Army picks the instrument; you propose one and explain why.
- Funding: No set amount. The BAA states no funds are committed at release; each award is sized to the approved proposal.
- Technology Maturity: Basic and applied research
- Due Date: Open through February 27, 2030. Concept papers are accepted any time before then.
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before you send your concept paper.
What Is the DEVCOM Soldier Center BAA?
It is the Army’s long-running open call for research that helps the individual soldier and small unit. Instead of fixed topics with short windows, it lists broad areas of interest, each with its own technical point of contact, and accepts ideas year-round.
What Problem Is the Army Trying to Solve?
Soldiers need to carry less, stay protected, perform longer and train in conditions that feel like combat. The Soldier Center funds research that removes technical barriers in those areas and can lead to wider Department of Defense use.
Priority Capability Areas: What the Soldier Center Is Looking For
- Combat feeding: field feeding equipment and combat ration research.
- Soldier protection and survivability: head-borne and modular protective gear, chemical and biological protection, countersurveillance, body-worn interactive materials, and sound, light and blast protection for ears and eyes.
- Textiles: multi-functional materials.
- Modeling and simulation: soldier and small unit effectiveness and survivability.
- Soldier effectiveness: body-worn and hand-held electronics, biomechanics, anthropometry, soldier power and data, human factors, soldier ISR, biotechnology, and physical performance tech such as exoskeletons.
- Expeditionary maneuver support: EMI/EMP protection, energy efficiency and deployment durability.
- Aerial delivery: personnel and cargo airdrop systems.
- Simulation and training technology: live training and battlefield effects, medical simulation and training, adaptive instruction, battlespace visualization and AI agents.
Funding and Award Terms
The BAA does not publish a budget or award ceiling. The contracting office can award a procurement contract, cooperative agreement or grant, and offerors must give a rationale for the instrument they suggest. Proposal costs are not reimbursed.
Eligibility
- Who can apply: commercial firms of any size, degree-granting colleges, nonprofit research institutes and foreign organizations.
- Not eligible: government organizations.
- Set-asides: none. No part of the BAA is set aside for small businesses.
- Registration: you must be registered in SAM to receive an award.
- Research security: selected fundamental research grants and cooperative agreements go through the Army’s risk review of key personnel.
How to Apply
- Pick your area: find the area of interest in Section VI that fits and note its technical point of contact.
- Write a concept paper: up to five pages covering the technical idea, goals and deliverables, approach and military relevance.
- Send it: email it to that point of contact.
- Talk before you propose: if invited, hold informal exchanges with the point of contact before writing the full proposal.
- Submit the full proposal: in the BAA’s separate sections (technical, management, cost, past performance and certifications) with the Soldier Center cover sheet.
What Happens After You Submit?
- Within 90 days: the Army evaluates your concept paper.
- Invitation: if it sees a fit, the point of contact invites a full proposal.
- Proposal review: proposals must stay valid for at least 90 days.
- Award: depends on funds being released to the contracting officer.
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits companies with a product or research idea that directly helps soldiers: protective materials, wearables, power, human performance, training and simulation tools, or field equipment. It is a good first step for teams that want Army feedback before writing a full proposal.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For open Army BAAs like the DEVCOM Soldier Center BAA, we help you:
- Match your technology to the right area of interest and point of contact
- Write a five-page concept paper that leads with military relevance
- Prepare for the conversation with the technical point of contact
- Build the full proposal and cost volume if you are invited
- Line up follow-on paths such as SBIR, OTAs and Army transition programs
Plan Your Soldier Center Submission
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline?
The BAA is open through February 27, 2030. Concept papers are accepted any time before then.
How long is the concept paper?
Up to five single-sided pages, including charts and photos.
Who do I send it to?
The technical point of contact listed under your area of interest in Section VI of the BAA.
How fast will I hear back?
The Army evaluates concept papers within 90 days.
Can I send a full proposal first?
No. Submit a concept paper and wait for an invitation.
How much funding is available?
No amount is published. Awards are sized to each proposal once funds are released.
What kinds of awards are possible?
Procurement contracts, cooperative agreements and grants.
Can startups apply?
Yes. Commercial firms of any size are eligible.
Can BW&CO help with a Soldier Center BAA submission?
Yes. We help teams pick the right area of interest, write a concept paper that leads with military relevance, and build the full proposal if invited. Book a call with our team.