DARPA - Defense Sciences Office · Department of Defense
Defense Sciences Office (DSO) Office-wide BAA
In short: A grant from DARPA - Defense Sciences Office.
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Aug 27, 2027 · 320 days left
The funder says: “See Full Announcement for details.” - Award size
- Not stated: see the official notice
- Match ?
- Not required · Work out your budget and match
- Who can apply
- Set by the official notice: see Who can apply below
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
How this fits you
- Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) isn't named, but others may qualify. Check who can apply
- Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
- No match required
- Past Tennessee awards on file: 21
About this grant
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is soliciting proposals which investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems for national security applications. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.
Who can apply, from the official notice
All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal that shall be considered by DARPA. See the Eligibility Information section of the BAA for more information.
Official notice: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/1903b420-64ef-4f26-a4c1-c857d4de4f00 · Printed from grantme.click/grants/34d24a66-b7b7-48a3-8b68-068338a553fb
View on Grants.gov Add deadline to my calendar
Your schedule, working back from the deadline
- Oct11
Check that your SAM.gov registration is active (or start it now)
Grants.gov: allow up to 10 business days for SAM registration, weeks or months if information isn't verified. It must be renewed every year. Grants.gov - Aug6
Ask partners for letters of support or commitment
Suggested: partners need about three weeks to write and sign letters. - Aug20
Finish a complete draft for a final review
Suggested: leave about a week for someone else to read the draft. - Aug25
Submit
Grants.gov: submit at least 24–48 hours before the deadline: uploads fail, systems slow down, errors need fixing. Grants.gov blog - Aug27
Deadline
From the funder.
Save this grant to put these dates in My grants and your private calendar.
What the official notice requires
Pulled from the official notice Attachment_K_Accelerated_Contract_Award_Option_Model_Contract__Small_Business_.pdf (27 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.
Registrations you need first (1)
SAM.gov · p. 6
“To access WAWF, the Contractor shall— (1) Have a designated electronic business point of contact in the System for Award Management at https://www.sam.gov; and (2) Be registered to use WAWF at https://wawf.eb.mil/ following the step-by-step procedures for…” Open page 6
Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist
Files from the official listing
The notice, forms and templates the agency attached. Some programs ask for a letter of intent or a form before the full application.
- HR001126S0015.pdf (532 KB)
HR001126S0015.pdf - Attachment_A_Executive_Summary_Template.docx (37 KB)
Attachment A - Attachment_B_Abstract_Summary_Side_Template.pptx (424 KB)
Attachment B - Attachment_C_Abstract_Instructions_and_Template.docx (44 KB)
Attachment C - Attachment_D_Proposal_Summary_Slides_Template.pptx (133 KB)
Attachment D - Attachment_E_Proposal_Instructions_and_Volume_I_Template_Technical_and_Management.docx (56 KB)
Attachment E - Attachment_F_Proposal_Instructions_and_Volume_II_Template__Cost.docx (55 KB)
Attachment F - Attachment_G_DARPA_Cost_Proposal_Spreadsheet.xlsx (124 KB)
Attachment G - Attachment_H_Classified_Submission_Requirements_Instructions_and_Procedures.docx (35 KB)
Attachment H - Attachment_I_Accelerated_Award_Option_Election_and_Attestation_Form.docx (33 KB)
Attachment I - Attachment_J_Accelerated_Contract_Award_Option_Model_Contract__Large_Business_.pdf (727 KB)
Attachment J - Attachment_K_Accelerated_Contract_Award_Option_Model_Contract__Small_Business_.pdf (729 KB)
Attachment K - Attachment_L_Accelerated_Contract_Award_Option_Baseline_Model_Contract_Addendum_Additional_Circumstance-Driven_Clauses.docx (25 KB)
Attachment L - Attachment_M_Accelerated_Contract_Award_Option_Model_OT_Agreement_for_Prototype.docx (98 KB)
Attachment M - Attachment_N_Accelerated_Contract_Award_Option_Model_OT_Agreement_for_Research.docx (91 KB)
Attachment N - Attachment_O_DSO_General_Controlled_Unclassified_Information_Guide_CUIG_signed.pdf (289 KB)
Attachment O - Attachment_P_Model_Cooperative_Agreement.docx (99 KB)
Attachment P
Who in Tennessee has won this program
10 awards to Tennessee groups in 2 counties since 2017. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $33.9M | 2018 |
| University of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $9.6M | 2018 |
| State of Tennessee | Nashville | $4.7M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $3.5M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $1.8M | 2021 |
| University of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $1.7M | 2024 |
| University of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $930K | 2020 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $828K | 2020 |
| University of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $500K | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | — spent that year | 2025 |
Source: USAspending.gov; Federal Audit Clearinghouse. Past awards show who this program funds. They don't guarantee future awards.
Tennessee groups that got this money through a state agency or another organization
This federal money also reaches local groups as pass-through grants. 11 pass-through grants on file. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Through | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | The Johns Hopkins University | $2M | 2026 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency | $1.7M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Johns Hopkins | $678K spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | University of California, Davis | $228K | 2024 |
| The Pom Group, LLC | Oak Ridge, Anderson County | University of Central Florida Board of Trustees, the | $195K | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | University of California Davis | $138K spent that year | 2025 |
| The Pom Group, LLC | Oak Ridge, Anderson County | University of Central Florida Board of Trustees, the | $74K | 2023 |
| Edulis Therapeutics Inc. | Nashville, Davidson County | Carnegie Mellon University | $69K | 2026 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University | $38K spent that year | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University, the | $29K | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Loughborough University | — spent that year | 2024 |
Source: USAspending.gov pass-through reports (the first recipient reports each one of $30,000 or more).
About the federal program
Research and Technology Development
Program number 12.910 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) · Cooperative agreement (a grant with close agency involvement)
How applications are judged
Evaluation criteria will be as specified in the solicitation announcement. Typical evaluation criteria, listed in descending order of relative importance, are as follows: (1) Overall scientific and technical merit; (2) potential contribution and relevance to DARPA mission; (3) offeror's capabilities and related experience; (4) plans and capability to accomplish technology transition; and (5) cost realism.
Match
None required (federal program listing).
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal year 2025: Some examples of 2025 funded projects:
? Harnessing Dataless Neural Networks for Large-Scale Combinatorial Optimization and Signal Processing.
? Structures Uniquely Resolved to Guarantee Endurance.
? Multi-octave and narrow-linewidth 5-mW THz chip-sources for precision Rydberg sensing.
? Complex-Structured Optimization Algorithms for Non-Learning Neural Networks.
? Periodically-poled Ultrawide-bandgap Material Platform for Efficient UV Production.
? Quantum Sensing of Phonons for Enhanced Neutrino Detection.
? Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Language Modeling for Enhancing Innovation and Evaluating Research Claims.
? Protein Design with AI models of quantitative traits.
? Automated Prediction Aided by Quantized Simulators.
? Rapid Advancement for Munitions Production.
? Self-Assembling Biohybrid Robots Using Metamorphic Insect Cells and Electrically Conducting Biopolymers.
? Multiscale Stochastic Dynamics on Evolving Networks in Random Environments.
? Large-scale gene annotation through machine learning-driven data science.
? Manipulations that Instigate Strategic Complexity and Havoc to Influence Exploitable Fragility.