Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Robotics Programs is sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). DARPA Robotics Programs offer funding for innovative robotics research and development projects with potential defense applications. DARPA funds high-risk, high-impact research through Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), program solicitations, and special notices. These opportunities target transformational technologies that could significantly advance national security capabilities, spanning fields such as advanced materials, energy systems, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum technologies, photonics, and cyber-physical systems, including pioneering advancements in robotics.

DARPA Defense Sciences Office (DSO) Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement (HR001125S0013) seeks proposals that investigate innovative approaches enabling revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems for national security applications. DSO explicitly excludes research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice, instead seeking paradigm-shifting breakthroughs. The office covers a broad range of scientific disciplines including mathematics, computation and algorithms, physical sciences, materials science, and novel AI approaches grounded in scientific fundamentals. DSO programs often address foundational challenges in AI such as learning theory, reasoning under uncertainty, physics-informed machine learning, and computational neuroscience approaches to AI. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis through June 2, 2026. Funding instruments include cooperative agreements, procurement contracts, and other mechanisms.

DARPA's Strategic Technology Office (STO) Innovation Solutions Opening (DARPA-PS-26-09) invites revolutionary research ideas across defense technology areas including applied artificial intelligence, autonomy and control algorithms, distributed autonomy and teaming (machine-machine and human-machine), robotics, advanced computing, communications and networking, electromagnetic warfare, radar and sensing technologies, directed energy systems, and space systems. STO seeks technologies capable of transforming system behavior such as resilient autonomy, advanced sensor architectures, or disruptive communications platforms. The solicitation uses a two-step process: applicants first submit a short abstract, and if DARPA determines the idea is promising, the team is invited to submit a full proposal. Short-duration exploratory projects such as studies or proof-of-concept experiments may receive priority during abstract evaluation.

DARPA DSO Office-Wide BAA for Defense Sciences and AI is a grant from DARPA's Defense Sciences Office (DSO) that funds basic and applied research proposals in defense sciences and artificial intelligence that may fall outside current program priorities but have potential value to national security. DARPA's primary funding vehicle is the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), which is open to all responsible proposers from universities, commercial companies, nonprofits, and research institutions. The office-wide BAA is refreshed annually and outlines current technical areas of interest. The deadline for proposals is June 2, 2026.