DARPA BTO: Protean

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office has released DARPARA2601: Protean, a high-impact research announcement focused on developing next-generation medical countermeasures that protect critical human proteins from chemical threat agents. This program aims to create prophylactics (and optionally therapeutics) that protect protein function against chemical threat challenges over 10,000x LD50s . Abstracts are due March 12th, 2026 at 4:00pm ET.

How much funding would I receive?

• Award instruments: Cooperative Agreements or Research Other Transactions (OTs)

• Period of performance: 33 months total

  • Phase 1 (Base): 18 months

  • Phase 2 (Option): 15 months

• Funding levels will depend on proposal quality and availability of funds.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding must support work aligned with Protean’s objective: restoring or protecting protein function against chemical threat agents at the mechanistic level .

Focus Areas (You must propose both phases)

You may propose in one or more of the following:

1. Nerve agents

2. Synthetic opioids

3. Ion channel toxins

Work must target DoD-relevant proteins such as:

• Acetylcholinesterase

• Mu Opioid Receptor

• Ion channels

Phase 1 – Non-Classical Protection (18 months)

Funding may support:

• Discovery of novel regulatory points in protein conformational landscapes

• Identification of distal regulatory sites (>1 required by Month 6 milestone)

• Structural biology and computational modeling of bound/unbound conformations

• Experimental validation of novel conformational states

• Mechanistic characterization of intoxication pathways

• In vitro demonstration of functional rescue or protection

• Demonstrating:

  • 10-fold decrease in threat simulant binding affinity (Month 12)

  • 10x increase in ED50 of >3 threat surrogates (Month 16)

End of Phase 1 requires in vitro evaluation by a government Test & Evaluation (T&E) partner .

Phase 2 – Countermeasure Design (15 months)

Funding may support:

• Structure-based or ligand-based drug design

• Optimization of non-competitive chemical matter

• In vitro and in vivo efficacy improvements

• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics studies

• ADME validation

• Safety and acute toxicity screening

• In vivo rodent validation against real CWAs

Key metrics include:

• 1,000x increase in ED50 in vitro (Month 24)

• LD50 with intervention >1000x baseline (Month 24, rodent model)

• 10,000x increase in ED50 in vitro (Month 30)

• LD50 with intervention >10,000x baseline exposure (Month 33, rodent model)

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

• Access to government Test & Evaluation (T&E) partners for real chemical warfare agent testing

• Potential use of flexible Other Transaction (OT) authority

• Early technical feedback via invitation-only pre-award sessions (if selected after Gate 1)

• Opportunity for DoD transition and chemical/biological defense positioning

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

Key Dates:

• Posting Date: February 11th, 2026

• Protean Virtual Proposers Day: February 20th, 2026

• Question Submittal Closed: March 9th, 2026 by 4:00 PM ET

• Gate 1 Due Date (Abstract): March 12th, 2026 by 4:00 PM ET

• Gate 2 Due Date (Full Proposal): May 7th, 2026 by 4:00 PM ET

Gate 1 selection is required to submit a full proposal.

The program period of performance is 33 months .

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Biological Technologies Office (BTO) .

Funding Opportunity Number: DARPARA2601
NAICS Code: 541714

Who is eligible to apply?

All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs, including U.S. and non-U.S. sources, may submit proposals .

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities, small businesses, small-disadvantaged businesses, and minority institutions are encouraged to apply .

• Proposers must be registered in SAM and have a valid Unique Entity ID .

• Proposals must be UNCLASSIFIED or CUI .

• FFRDCs, UARCs, and Government entities must contact the agency POC prior to submission to discuss eligibility , competitive proposals will:

• Present highly innovative, non-classical mechanistic approaches

• Identify >1 novel distal regulatory site by Month 6

• Demonstrate feasibility across both Phase 1 and Phase 2 metrics

• Provide experimentally validated structural insights (not purely computational)

• Show credible in vivo translation plans

• Demonstrate strong relevance to DoD chemical and biological defense

Proposals that fail to address both phases will be deemed non-conforming .

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Must propose to both Phases

• Must comply with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) handling requirements (NIST 800-171 compliant systems)

• IP ownership or licensing must be clearly documented

• Potential publication restrictions for non-fundamental research

• Organizational Conflict of Interest disclosures required

• No classified submissions allowed at Gate 1

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Gate 1 is intentionally streamlined:

• 10-minute Video Abstract (max 5 slides)

• 5-page Abbreviated Technical Volume

• Rough Order of Magnitude cost estimate

Most well-prepared teams should expect 3–6 weeks to develop a competitive Gate 1 submission, depending on technical maturity and team alignment.

Gate 2 preparation will require significantly more effort if invited.

How can BW&CO help?

We help founders and research teams:

• Reverse-engineer DARPA evaluation criteria

• Position non-classical mechanisms to align with milestone language

• Translate structural biology and modeling approaches into milestone-driven narratives

• Architect Phase 1 → Phase 2 transition logic

• Draft Gate 1 materials that maximize selection probability

• Build credible in vivo translation pathways

Our role is to make sure your science aligns exactly with DARPA’s stated metrics and exclusion criteria.

How much would BW&CO Charge?

We charge a flat $4,000 fee to submit the pre-proposal for Gate 1. We also have an hourly rate to strategize, review, and edit applications of $250.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

Development of Radiological/Nuclear Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) And Biodosimetry Devices

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is actively seeking proposals to develop radiological/nuclear medical countermeasures (MCMs) or biodosimetry biomarkers and devices to support response to a radiological or nuclear public health emergency. This is a cost-reimbursement contract opportunity, not a grant, and is intended to advance technologies that reduce mortality, guide triage, and improve treatment decisions after radiation exposure. Proposals are due May 4th, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

• Total contract value: Not specified (listed as “TBD” in the solicitation)

• Contract type: Cost-reimbursement with fixed fee

• Base period funding: TBD

• Option periods: Up to two option periods, funding TBD

Because dollar amounts are not pre-set, funding levels will depend on scope, cost realism, and negotiation with NIAID.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding must support one of the two objectives below.

A. Radiological/Nuclear Medical Countermeasures (MCMs)

Funding may be used to develop safe and effective MCMs that:

• Mitigate and/or treat normal tissue injuries caused by ionizing radiation

• Reduce radiation-associated mortality or major morbidities

• Are efficacious 24 hours or later post-exposure (MCMs intended for immediate post-exposure use are generally excluded, unless otherwise noted in the objectives)

B. Biodosimetry Biomarkers and Devices

Funding may be used to advance biodosimetry biomarkers and/or devices that:

• Inform triage and treatment strategies

• Are suitable for use during a radiation public health emergency

Allowable Cost Categories (with Contracting Officer approval where required) include:

• Personnel and research labor

• Subcontracts and consultants

• Travel (including foreign travel)

• Patient care costs

• Equipment and materials

• Printing and reporting

• Research-related conferences and meetings

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

In addition to funding, awardees receive:

• A direct contractual relationship with NIH/NIAID

• Eligibility for option period extensions at the government’s discretion

• The ability to generate patents, subject to federal invention regulations

• Increased credibility for future BARDA, NIH, and DoD opportunities

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

• Solicitation issued: February 10, 2026

• Questions due: March 3, 2026 (recommended)

• Proposal deadline: May 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET

• Contract period of performance: TBD

• Funding start: After award and contract execution (date not specified)on maturity or need

Where does this funding come from?

This funding is provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• For-profit companies

• Small businesses

• Nonprofits and research institutions

• Universities

• Domestic and foreign entities

Applicants must be registered in SAM prior to award.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

NIAID is looking for teams that:

• Have strong scientific and technical rationale

• Address clearly defined unmet needs in radiation response

• Can demonstrate feasible development and execution plans

• Align tightly with the Research and Technical Objectives in the solicitation

Projects are evaluated primarily on technical merit, relevance to agency priorities, and availability of funds.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• You may only submit one focus per proposal (MCM or biodosimetry)

• Certain costs require prior Contracting Officer approval

• Strict compliance with human subjects, animal welfare, data sharing, and publication policies

• Funds may not be used for prohibited activities (e.g., abortion, human embryo research, needle exchange, promotion of controlled substances legalization)

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Most companies should plan for 8–12+ weeks to prepare:

• A full technical proposal and Statement of Work

• A detailed cost proposal and supporting documentation

• Required representations, certifications, and attachments

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can:

• Translate the BAA into a clear win strategy

• Define scope, milestones, and budget that survive NIH negotiation

• Draft or review the technical and business proposals

• Ensure compliance with NIH contract requirements

• Position your company for option periods and follow-on funding

How much would BW&CO Charge?

Fractional support is $300 per hour.

For startups, we offer a discounted rate of $250 per hour to make top-tier consulting more accessible while maintaining the same level of strategic guidance and proposal quality.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.