Writing DARPA BAA Proposals

How DARPA Funding Works

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency operates differently from most federal funders. DARPA does not run standing grant programs with annual deadlines. Instead, it funds specific research initiatives designed by program managers (PMs) who identify critical technology gaps and create programs to fill them.

DARPA's funding vehicle is the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), which describes a specific research challenge and invites proposals from universities, companies, and research organizations. BAAs are competitive, and DARPA funds only proposals that directly address the stated technical objectives. The agency's appetite for risk is higher than most federal agencies — DARPA explicitly seeks high-risk, high-payoff research that could produce transformational capabilities.

Awards typically range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the program scope and the performer's role. Most DARPA contracts and grants run for three to five years, often structured in phases with go/no-go decision points.

The BAA Process

Finding BAAs

DARPA posts BAAs on SAM.gov (formerly FedBizOpps) and on the DARPA website. Each BAA describes the program's technical objectives, anticipated structure, proposal requirements, and evaluation criteria. Some BAAs are open-ended and accept proposals on a rolling basis, while others have firm deadlines.

Abstract or Executive Summary Submission

Most DARPA BAAs encourage or require an initial abstract submission before a full proposal. This brief document (typically two to five pages) outlines your proposed approach, team, and expected outcomes. The program manager reviews abstracts and provides feedback on whether a full proposal is encouraged. This step saves significant effort — if the PM indicates your concept is not aligned with the program, you avoid investing weeks in a full proposal.

Take the abstract seriously. It is your first and sometimes only opportunity to capture the PM's attention. Be concise, technically specific, and explicit about how your approach addresses the BAA's stated objectives.

Full Proposal

If your abstract is encouraged, the full proposal provides a comprehensive description of your technical approach, management plan, schedule, and budget. DARPA proposal formats vary by BAA but typically include a technical volume, a management volume, and a cost volume.

Writing the Technical Volume

State the Problem Clearly

Begin by demonstrating that you understand the specific technical challenge described in the BAA. Do not restate the BAA language — instead, show that you have thought deeply about the problem and can articulate the key technical barriers in your own words.

Describe Your Approach

This is the core of your proposal. Explain your technical approach in enough detail that expert reviewers can assess its feasibility and novelty. DARPA reviewers are typically domain experts, so you can use technical language appropriate to the field. However, avoid unnecessary jargon that obscures rather than clarifies.

Be specific about what is novel in your approach. DARPA does not fund incremental work. Your proposal should describe a genuinely new method, tool, algorithm, material, or concept that offers a significant advance over the current state of the art. If your approach builds on published work, explain clearly what new capability you will create.

Include Quantitative Metrics

DARPA programs are structured around measurable milestones and metrics. Your proposal should define specific, quantitative performance targets that you will achieve at each phase. Vague promises of improvement are not persuasive. State what you will demonstrate, by when, and how you will measure success.

Address Risks Honestly

DARPA expects high-risk research, but that does not mean ignoring risks. Identify the key technical risks in your approach and describe your mitigation strategies. Reviewers respect proposers who have thought through what might go wrong and have contingency plans.

Management and Team

DARPA evaluates your team's ability to execute the proposed work. Describe the qualifications of key personnel, the roles and responsibilities of each team member, and any subcontractor relationships. If your project involves multiple organizations, explain the management structure and communication plan.

Include a detailed schedule with milestones, deliverables, and decision points. DARPA programs often have phase gates where the PM assesses progress and decides whether to continue funding. Your schedule should align with these gates.

Engaging with the Program Manager

The program manager is the most important person in the DARPA funding process. They define the program, select performers, and manage the research portfolio. Building a relationship with the PM is not just helpful — it is essential.

Attend the Proposers' Day event if one is held for the BAA. These events provide an opportunity to hear the PM describe the program vision, ask questions, and meet potential collaborators. If no Proposers' Day is scheduled, contact the PM directly to discuss your concept before writing a full proposal.

Be responsive to PM feedback. If the PM suggests modifications to your approach after reviewing your abstract, take those suggestions seriously. They reflect the PM's understanding of what the program needs and what the review panel will prioritize.

Common Pitfalls

• Proposing incremental improvements rather than transformational advances
• Failing to address the specific technical objectives stated in the BAA
• Submitting a full proposal without first engaging the PM through an abstract or direct communication
• Underestimating the importance of quantitative metrics and milestones
• Treating DARPA proposals like academic grant applications — the culture and expectations are different

DARPA funding can be career-defining for researchers and transformative for organizations. The key is to match the agency's ambition with a technically rigorous, well-structured proposal that demonstrates both innovation and the ability to deliver results.