Applications for Cyber Warfare: Genesis
Executive Summary:
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is offering up to $99.99M per award through the Applications for Cyber Warfare: Genesis ARA to develop advanced cyber operations prototypes for transition to operational DoD platforms. White papers are accepted until September 29, 2030.
How much funding would I receive?
Typical awards range from $10M to $50M, with the possibility of awards up to $99.99M. Projects generally span up to 60 months.
What could I use the funding for?
Technologies of interest to the strategic vision of this ARA include, but are not limited to: platforms and architectures for the facilitation of cyber operations, command and control capabilities for the facilitation of cyber operations, effects based capabilities for the facilitation of cyber operations, predictive analysis capabilities for the facilitation of cyber operations, cross domain capabilities for the facilitation of cyber operations, intelligence gathering capabilities for the facilitation of cyber operations, intelligence processing capabilities for the facilitation of cyber operations, stealth delivery capabilities for the facilitation of cyber operations, stealth and persistence capabilities for the facilitation of cyber operations, and planning based utilities for the facilitation of cyber operations.
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The Air Force Research Laboratory is soliciting white papers under this Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) to research, design, develop, implement, and refine next-generation cyber warfare capabilities to advance the nation’s ability to prepare and fight wars as well as to build enduring advantages in Cyberspace. This includes both cyber platforms and cyber weaponry.
The Internet enables global connectivity, communication, and innovation. It has brought increased prosperity to the United States, inaugurating new industries and revitalizing old ones. It has also helped to ensure the superiority of the Joint Force, strengthening our ability to coordinate and quickly adapt to dynamic circumstances. In this decisive decade, the success of our Nation depends upon a free, open, and secure cyberspace.
The Department of Defense’s (DoD) experiences have shown that cyber capabilities held in reserve or employed in isolation render little deterrent effect on their own. Instead, these military capabilities are most effective when used in concert with other instruments of national power, creating a deterrent greater than the sum of its parts. In this way, cyberspace operations represent an indispensable element of United States and Allied military strength and form a core component of integrated deterrence.
The DoD will also use cyberspace operations for the purpose of campaigning, undertaking
actions to limit, frustrate, or disrupt adversaries' activities below the level of armed conflict and to
achieve favorable security conditions. By persistently engaging malicious cyber actors and other
malign threats to United States interests in cyberspace, United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) will support Department-wide campaigns to strengthen deterrence and gain advantages. As it campaigns in cyberspace, the Department will remain closely attuned to adversary perceptions and will manage the risk of unintended escalation.
Among multiple lines of effort that are identified in the DoD’s most recent cyber strategy, two are particularly relevant to this solicitation:
“Prepare to Fight and Win the Nation's Wars. The Department will campaign in and through
cyberspace to advance Joint Force objectives. We will ensure the cybersecurity of the
Department of Defense Information Network (DODIN) and conduct defensive cyberspace
operations in order to protect it. The Department will enhance the cyber resilience of the Joint
Force and ensure its ability to fight in and through contested and congested cyberspace. We
will utilize the unique characteristics of cyberspace to meet the Joint Force's requirements and
generate asymmetric advantages.”
“Build Enduring Advantages in Cyberspace. The Department will pursue institutional
reforms to build advantages that will persist for decades to come. We will optimize the
organizing, training, and equipping of the Cyberspace Operations Forces and Service-retained
cyber forces. We will ensure the availability of timely and actionable intelligence in support of
cyberspace operations and explore the intersection of emerging technologies and cyber
capabilities. We will foster a culture of cybersecurity and cyber awareness, investing in the
education, training, and knowledge development of personnel across the defense enterprise.”
-2023 Summary, Cyber Strategy, US Department of Defense
The purpose of this Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) is to research, design, develop, implement, and refine next-generation cyber warfare capabilities to advance the nation’s ability to prepare and fight wars as well as to build enduring advantages in Cyberspace. This includes both cyber platforms and cyber weaponry.
The scope and direction of this ARA are derived from these as follows:
Preparing to win the nations wars - Capabilities researched, designed, developed, implemented, and refined under this Advanced Research Announcement will allow for:
-Support to joint campaigns in and through cyberspace to reinforce deterrence objectives while achieving informational and military advantages. Adversaries of the United States will be made to doubt the efficacy of their military capabilities as well as the belief that they can conduct unattributed coercive actions against the United States. As the DoD campaigns in cyberspace for this purpose, offensive and defensive options will be furnished to support the Joint Force so that it is ready to respond rapidly across the spectrum of conflict.
-The enhancement of cyber resilience of the Joint Force and ensure its ability to fight through contested and congested cyberspace. Prioritization will be given to those cyber capabilities that support the Joint Force's military mission assurance and commit to training the force to operate amid network and warfighting platform degradation.
-The continual integration of state-of-the-art cyberspace operations platforms and weaponry. Further refinement of this approach, developing options that utilize the unique characteristics of cyberspace to meet the Joint Force's requirements and generate asymmetric advantages will occur throughout the lifecycle. This will include the pursuit of cross-domain effects during large-scale combat operations.
Building Enduring Advantages in Cyberspace - Capabilities researched, designed, developed, implemented, and refined under this Advanced Research Announcement will allow for:
-The prioritization of necessary reforms to meet the intelligence needs of the cyberspace operations community. Cyber requirements will be addressed through continued improvements to the business practices, human capital management, and organization of the Defense Intelligence Enterprise. Barriers to information sharing will be reduced and broader access to technical data consistent with applicable law, policies and procedures facilitated. Addressing gaps, ambiguities,
and policy issues to enable intelligence activities in support of cyberspace operations will be facilitated.
-The application and refinement of cyber platforms and weaponry. Technologies that can confound malicious cyber actors and prevent them from achieving their objectives in and through cyberspace will be prioritized. These include high assurance architectures and their associated technologies, advanced endpoint monitoring capabilities, tailored data collection strategies, automated data analytics, and systems that enable network automation, network restoration, and network deception.
-The disruption and degradation of malicious cyber actors will be achieved through forward defense and by disrupting the activities of malicious cyber actors and degrading their supporting ecosystems. These operations will be primarily conducted by USCYBERCOM, leveraging its authorities and in close coordination with other departments and agencies. A number of such operations have been occurring under this policy since 2018. Lessons learned from these operations inform pursuit of new capabilities and shape approached to risk management. These operations will support the strategic approach outlined in the 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy, in which the Department's cyberspace operations may complement concurrent actions by the diplomatic, law enforcement, and intelligence communities, among others. Together, these actions will support a whole-of-Government effort to reduce the perceived and actual utility of malicious cyber activity and render cybercrime unprofitable.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Beyond the direct funding, awardees gain several indirect advantages:
Government Validation and Technical Credibility:
Winning an AFRL-funded cyber program signals that your technology meets high national-security thresholds—accelerating trust with primes, operators, and investors.
Enhanced Visibility and Notoriety:
AFRL awardees often receive recognition in government communications and defense-tech media, elevating your company’s profile in the cyber and national-security ecosystem.
Pathway to Follow-On Production:
OT prototype awards may transition to follow-on production contracts, enabling larger-scale procurement without a new competition—significantly increasing commercial value.
Stronger Valuation and Exit Potential:
Scaling cyber technologies under nondilutive funding, coupled with Air Force validation, can improve investor confidence and long-term acquisition potential in the defense tech sector.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
White papers may be submitted anytime before September 29, 2030, but AFRL recommends aligning with fiscal-year funding cycles:
FY26: by December 30, 2025
FY27: by September 30, 2026
FY28: by September 30, 2027
FY29: by September 30, 2028
FY30: by September 30, 2029
Selected offerors will be invited to submit full proposals. Funding timing depends on fiscal-year availability but typically follows several months after invitation and review.
Where does this funding come from?
Funding comes from the Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Rome Research Site.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include U.S. organizations capable of conducting advanced research and prototype development. Both FAR-based contracts and Other Transactions (OTs) may be awarded. There is no set-aside, allowing large businesses, small businesses, and research institutions to participate.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
Competitive submissions will:
Demonstrate strong capability to develop cyber operations prototypes
Present feasible transition paths to DoD operational platforms
Show technical merit and alignment with cyber dominance objectives
Provide credible teams with relevant cyber R&D and integration experience
Projects focused on scalable, operationally relevant cyber capabilities with clear transition potential are most likely to receive funding.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Awards may be issued as either FAR-based contracts or Other Transactions (OTs) under 10 USC 4021–4023. Each mechanism has different compliance requirements and follow-on potential, especially for successful prototype efforts .
While technical and contracting discussions are allowed, communications with AFRL do not constitute a government commitment to fund or award any proposal. Only Contracting Officers can legally bind the government .
Applicants are cautioned that failure to follow proposal formatting or submittal instructions may result in lower evaluation ratings or rejection .
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive white paper will likely take 20–50 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.
How much would BW&CO Charge?
Our full service support is available for the white paper for $5,000.
Fractional support is $300 per hour.
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.
Additional Resources
Access the funding announcement here.