DARPA AI Forward Young Faculty Award
Quick Facts
- Agency
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
- Funding
- $500,000 - $1,000,000
- Deadline
- Rolling (Rolling / Open)
- Status
- Active
- Eligibility
- U.S. academic institutions, tenure-track assistant/associate professors
About This Grant
DARPA AI Forward Young Faculty Award is sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Funds early-career researchers in AI technologies, potentially adaptable to child therapy applications with dual-use potential.
Official opportunity description and requirements excerpt:
An official website of the United States Government Official websites use .mil .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of War organization. Secure .mil websites use HTTPS ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Young Faculty Award (YFA) Young Faculty Award (YFA) The objective of the DARPA Young Faculty Award (YFA) program is to identify and engage researchers in junior faculty positions at U.S. academic and non-profit research institutions and expose them to national security needs and DARPA’s program development process. The YFA program provides funding, mentoring and industry and national security contacts to awardees early in their careers so they may develop their research ideas in the context of national security needs. The long-term goal of the YFA program is to develop the next generation of academic scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who will focus a significant portion of their career on national security issues. The annual research announcement seeking YFA applications is typically posted to the grants.gov , and sam.gov websites between August and September. YFA 2026 Research Announcement Administrative (as of Jan. 12, 2026) Technical (as of Dec. 15, 2025) RSS feed for Opportunities Be part of a cutting-edge research and development agency that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, in an energetic environment with excellent benefits. Find your future with DARPA Careers Our program managers are visionary leaders whose experience spans industry, government, and academia. They conceive, plan, and oversee the high-risk R&D efforts for which we are best known. Research Opportunities View Programs DARPA has pushed, and will continue to push, the boundaries of technological possibility. See the dreams we turned to reality Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency To create and prevent technological surprise for our national security Investors & Entrepreneurs Podcast (Voices from DARPA) Communications & Public Affairs Think beyond the impossible Accessibility/Section 508 Freedom of Information Act Privacy and Civil Liberties
Application snapshot: target deadline rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows; published funding information $500,000 - $1,000,000; eligibility guidance U.S. academic institutions, tenure-track assistant/associate professors
Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
Official Opportunity Details
Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
An official website of the United States Government Official websites use . mil . mil website belongs to an official U.
S. Department of War organization. Secure .
mil websites use HTTPS ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the . mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Young Faculty Award (YFA) Young Faculty Award (YFA) The objective of the DARPA Young Faculty Award (YFA) program is to identify and engage researchers in junior faculty positions at U. S. academic and non-profit research institutions and expose them to national security needs and DARPA’s program development process.
The YFA program provides funding, mentoring and industry and national security contacts to awardees early in their careers so they may develop their research ideas in the context of national security needs. The long-term goal of the YFA program is to develop the next generation of academic scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who will focus a significant portion of their career on national security issues.
The annual research announcement seeking YFA applications is typically posted to the grants. gov , and sam. gov websites between August and September.
YFA 2026 Research Announcement Administrative (as of Jan. 12, 2026) Technical (as of Dec. 15, 2025) RSS feed for Opportunities Be part of a cutting-edge research and development agency that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, in an energetic environment with excellent benefits.
Find your future with DARPA Careers Our program managers are visionary leaders whose experience spans industry, government, and academia. They conceive, plan, and oversee the high-risk R&D efforts for which we are best known. Research Opportunities View Programs DARPA has pushed, and will continue to push, the boundaries of technological possibility.
See the dreams we turned to reality Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency To create and prevent technological surprise for our national security Investors & Entrepreneurs Podcast (Voices from DARPA) Communications & Public Affairs Think beyond the impossible Accessibility/Section 508 Freedom of Information Act Privacy and Civil Liberties
Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. academic institutions, tenure-track assistant/associate professors
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for DARPA AI Forward Young Faculty Award?
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: U.S. academic institutions, tenure-track assistant/associate professors Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
What is the typical funding level for DARPA AI Forward Young Faculty Award?
Current published award information indicates $500,000 - $1,000,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
When is the deadline for DARPA AI Forward Young Faculty Award?
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
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