DARPA Research Solutions Opening

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is engaging the academic research community through a Research Solutions Opening (RSO) to address technical challenges in defense science. This solicitation, DARPA-PA-26-08, is limited to accredited U.S. colleges and universities and requires the participation of Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) candidates. The initiative funds independent research while integrating researchers into DARPA's technical offices as Program Managers. The procurement uses a two-phase process: Phase 1 Abstracts and Phase 2 Full Proposals. Research focuses on five technical offices: Biological Technologies (BTO), Defense Sciences (DSO), Information Innovation (I2O), Microsystems Technology (MTO), and Tactical Technology (TTO). A mandatory requirement is the nomination of at least one Principal Investigator for a temporary assignment to DARPA under the IPA Mobility Program. The opportunity remains open for submissions through June 1, 2027. The solicitation includes instructions for written and oral abstracts and a sample Other Transaction (OT) for Research agreement, which establishes the framework for awards, including compliance for intellectual property, cybersecurity, and eligibility. The DARPA Research Solutions Opening (RSO) connects academic research with defense innovation by involving universities in solving technical challenges. This initiative targets accredited U.S. colleges and universities to fund independent research while expanding the DARPA Program Manager community. Performance focuses on delivering resilient software, technology transition strategies, and meeting defined milestones.