The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), through its Research and Development (RD) Directorate and Chemical and Biological Technologies Department, has released Amendment 4 to its Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled Fundamental Research to Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (C-WMD). This long-term funding vehicle reflects DTRA’s sustained commitment to advancing foundational science that can reduce, mitigate, and ultimately prevent chemical and biological threats to U.S. warfighters and civilian populations. By investing early in high-risk, high-payoff research, DTRA aims to expand the scientific base that underpins future detection, protection, and response capabilities.
Solicitation Overview and Program Structure
The C-WMD BAA (HDTRA1-25-S-0001) is open continuously from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2034 and is designed to support fundamental and early applied research across Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 1 through 4.
Submissions follow a two-phase process. Phase I consists of a pre-application white paper, which is evaluated on scientific merit and relevance to DTRA’s mission. Only invited applicants may proceed to Phase II and submit a full proposal. While abstract pre-coordination is typically required, DTRA has waived this requirement for the currently open topic areas below, lowering the barrier for new and interdisciplinary teams to engage.
Current emphasis under the BAA is on Thrust Area 1: Fundamental Science for Chemical and Biological Defense, with six Basic Research Topics (B1 through B6) now open for submission.
Detailed Overview of Topic Areas B1–B6
B1. Deriving Human Physiological Endpoints via Microphysiological Systems
Topic B1 focuses on advancing micro-physiological systems (MPS), often referred to as organs-on-a-chip, to improve early detection of chemical and biological exposures. DTRA is seeking research that develops standardized, human-relevant physiological endpoints that can mimic multiple organ systems and reliably translated to in vivo human responses.
The goal is not medical countermeasure development, but rather developing robust, user-friendly, and scalable MPS platforms. The ability to test the “real” threats DTRA is interested in on MPS platforms enables for early warning and exposure detection. Projects are expected to integrate novel sensing technologies, establish dose-response relationships, and support machine learning approaches that translate MPS-derived data into actionable indicators of exposure.
B2. Self-Improving Artificial Intelligence Systems for Adaptive Defense
Topic B2 addresses a growing challenge in chemical and biological defense: static artificial intelligence systems that cannot adapt quickly enough to evolving threats. DTRA is interested in AI architectures capable of autonomous self-modification, allowing systems to safely adapt their models, structures, or code as new threat signatures emerge.
Research under this topic must emphasize formal verification, containment mechanisms, and safety guarantees, ensuring that self-improving systems remain trustworthy in high-stakes defense environments. While motivated by chemical and biological defense needs, DTRA anticipates broader applicability across cybersecurity, autonomous systems, and space defense domains.
B3. Quantum-Enhanced Topological Data Analysis for Chemical and Biological Defense
Topic B3 explores the intersection of quantum computing, machine learning, and topological data analysis to address the complexity of chemical and biological threat data. Traditional computational approaches struggle with the high dimensionality and structural complexity of biological systems, and DTRA sees quantum-enhanced methods as a path to uncovering subtle patterns that classical tools miss.
Research is expected to demonstrate how quantum machine learning and topological data analysis can improve pathogen classification, molecular interaction mapping, and early threat identification, potentially reducing response timelines from years to months. This topic is inherently interdisciplinary and aimed at creating foundational analytical capabilities rather than near-term deployable systems.
B4. Advanced Repellent Materials for Omniphobic Resistance (ARMOR)
Topic B4 targets the development of durable, PFAS-free omniphobic materials for chemical and biological protection. DTRA is seeking alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that can achieve comparable oil and chemical repellency of PFAS while eliminating environmental and health concerns.
Research is expected to focus on textile-compatible surface modifications, reentrant and textured architectures, and low surface energy chemistries that resist absorption of chemical threats. Emphasis is placed on durability, non-absorption, and resistance to harsh environments, supporting future modernization of protective clothing and filtration systems.
B5. Sensing Engineered Chemical and Biological Threats with Synthetic Biology
Topic B5 centers on synthetic biology-based sensing elements for detecting engineered or emerging biological threats. DTRA is interested in platforms that combine computational design, artificial intelligence, and synthetic biology to rapidly generate novel affinity reagents such as nanobodies, affibodies, or allosteric transcription factors.
The focus is on proof-of-concept platform development that enables faster design, validation, and adaptation of sensing materials than traditional antibody-based approaches. Successful efforts could dramatically shorten timelines for developing detection assays in response to newly engineered or modified threats.
B6. Free-Standing Films Used as Detection Wipes
Topic B6 seeks fundamental research into free standing films that can be used as self-indicating, colorimetric wipes. These materials would provide rapid, power-free detection of chemical and biological threats on surfaces, supporting future upgrades to fielded detection kits such as the M256 kit.
Research is expected to focus on understanding the structural, optical, and electrical properties of cross-linked polymers embedded with not organic dye-based recognition elements. While eventual transition to applied programs is anticipated, the near-term emphasis is on reproducibility, environmental robustness, and fundamental material behavior rather than field-ready prototypes.
Key Dates and Funding Snapshot
- Pre-Application White Paper Deadline for Topics B1 through B6: March 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
- Period of Performance: Up to five years using flexible base and option structures
Why This Work Matters
Collectively, Topics B1 through B6 reflect DTRA’s recognition that future chemical and biological threats will be more complex, adaptive, and difficult to detect. Advances in human-relevant modeling, adaptive artificial intelligence, quantum analytics, advanced materials, and synthetic biology are essential to closing detection and response gaps before threats reach operational scale. These investments directly support human health by enabling earlier warning, improved protection, and more resilient response capabilities across military and civilian domains.
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