The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), through its Information Innovation Office (I2O), has released its FY2026 Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeking groundbreaking research that can fundamentally reshape the nation’s capabilities across information science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and complex software systems. This solicitation, HR001126S0001, invites performers to propose bold, unconventional approaches capable of delivering decisive information and computational advantage to the United States and its allies. The overarching goal is clear: to fuel revolutionary advances rather than incremental improvements.
Solicitation Overview: Driving Transformative Research Across Information Domains
DARPA I2O is focused on four primary thrust areas that underpin national security in the modern digital battlespace. First, the agency seeks Transformative AI technologies that are trustworthy, ethically aligned, and capable of interacting competently with humans. Second, proposers may target Resilient, Adaptable, and Secure Software and Complex Systems, including formal methods and next-generation approaches to eliminate software vulnerabilities at scale. Third, the BAA solicits innovations in Offensive and Defensive Cybersecurity and Privacy, leveraging new techniques that surpass human capacity and anticipate adversarial countermeasures. Finally, efforts that enhance Fighting in the Information Domain, from cognitive and semantic layers to digital artifact tracking and transport mechanisms, are central to I2O’s mission.
This office-wide announcement is intentionally flexible and encourages submissions both within and outside these thrusts if proposed research can radically reshape current practices. Proposers should note that incremental or evolutionary improvements will not be considered. DARPA is seeking disruptive concepts capable of redefining the state of the art.
Program Structure and Submission Pathway
DARPA has established a structured, two-step submission pathway for this BAA. All proposers are required to begin with an abstract submission, which I2O will review for relevance and interest. Only proposers who receive an official invitation may submit a full proposal. Both abstracts and proposals must clearly articulate alignment with I2O’s thrust areas, demonstrate revolutionary potential, and provide sufficient detail to allow DARPA to assess feasibility.
DARPA emphasizes flexibility in award instrument types, ranging from procurement contracts to Other Transaction (OT) agreements, to ensure performers can engage using the mechanism best suited to their work. The agency also encourages performers to submit red-lined edits to model contracts or OT agreements, enabling early alignment on terms and conditions.
Important Dates for Proposers
DARPA is accepting submissions on a rolling basis. Several key deadlines govern this BAA:
- Proposal Abstracts Due: November 1, 2026, by 5:00 PM ET
- Full Proposals Due: November 30, 2026, by 5:00 PM ET
- Proposers Day: To be announced via Special Notice
- Posting Date: November 28, 2025
These dates provide significant flexibility for teams preparing technically ambitious proposals. Prospective proposers should ensure ample time for abstract reviews and the required invitation to proceed.
Funding Expectations and Award Information
DARPA anticipates multiple awards under this office-wide announcement, which enables a broad set of performers to propose transformative ideas across information-driven domains. Award instruments may include procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and OTs for prototypes or research, depending on the nature of the effort. While no specific budgets or ceilings are provided, cost realism is an explicit evaluation criterion. Proposed periods of performance should be appropriate for a mission agency seeking rapid, high-impact innovation. Cost sharing may be required for certain OT agreements in accordance with statutory requirements.
Strengthening National Security Through Information Innovation
The I2O Office-Wide BAA reflects DARPA’s commitment to solving some of the most complex challenges in the digital domain, including ensuring AI systems behave ethically and securely, eliminating software vulnerabilities that threaten critical infrastructure, shaping the future of cyber operations, and strengthening resilience across the information environment. Successful efforts under this solicitation will advance the technological backbone that supports national defense, secure critical systems, and deepen the information advantage of the United States.
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