The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), through its Defense Sciences Office (DSO), has released its latest Disruptioneering Program Announcement (DARPA-PA-25-07). Published on September 30, 2025, this initiative aims to accelerate the agency’s ability to fund and execute high-risk, high-reward scientific research. At its core, the Disruptioneering program establishes a streamlined mechanism for DARPA to explore bold new ideas through short-turnaround solicitations called Disruption Opportunities (DOs). These opportunities are designed to ensure that promising concepts can move rapidly from inception to prototype development in support of national security.
Program Overview
The Disruptioneering Program provides DARPA with the flexibility to pursue exploratory R&D across a wide range of scientific and engineering domains. Unlike traditional solicitations, the program operates through Disruption Opportunities (DOs), each of which focuses on a specific technical challenge or emerging research area.
Each DO will be open for a maximum of 60 calendar days and will request targeted proposals that may span one or two phases:
- Phase 1 (Base Effort): A short, focused research effort to establish feasibility.
- Phase 2 (Optional): An expanded research and prototype development phase, awarded based on Phase 1 results and available funding.
Projects may include proofs of concept, pilot demonstrations, or novel applications of commercial technologies for defense purposes. All awards will be issued as Other Transactions (OTs) for prototype projects, which are not bound by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). This allows DARPA and performers to negotiate terms that prioritize speed, flexibility, and transition potential.
Key Dates
- Program Announcement Release: September 30, 2025
- Program Announcement Closing: September 29, 2026
It is important to note that proposals cannot be submitted directly to this Program Announcement. Instead, proposers must respond to specific DOs as they are released. Each DO will identify its own submission deadlines, technical requirements, and proposal structure.
Funding Information
- Number of Awards: Multiple awards are anticipated under each DO.
- Award Instrument: Other Transaction (OT) agreements.
- Award Size & Duration: Varies by DO. Some DOs may set ceiling amounts per phase or overall, while others may include cost-sharing requirements.
- Follow-On Opportunities: Successful prototype projects may be eligible for a follow-on production contract or OT without additional competition, allowing promising technologies to transition quickly to defense applications.
Why It Matters
The Disruptioneering program reflects DARPA’s commitment to staying ahead of adversaries by investing in bold ideas. By focusing on the speed of OT agreements, DARPA ensures that breakthrough technologies can promptly move from the lab to the battlefield. These investments have the potential to transform defense capabilities across domains, strengthening U.S. resilience against emerging threats and advancing national security.
For innovators, startups, and research institutions, this program represents an opportunity to bring transformative ideas directly into the defense innovation pipeline. If your company has considered applying for federal funding, your federal funding journey starts here. EverGlade Consulting is a national firm that helps organizations win and manage federal awards. We offer services ranging from Pursuit, Proposal and Post-Award support to comply with federal regulations at agencies including BARDA, ARPA-H, NIH, DTRA, JPEO, DOD, DIU, DOE, and DARPA.
