DARPA Releases FY2026 BAA Targeting AI and Cybersecurity Breakthroughs

DARPA's Information Innovation Office (I2O) has released its FY2026 Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement, opening a sustained funding pipeline for research in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and complex software systems. Proposal abstracts are due November 1, 2026, with full proposals due November 30.

What DARPA I2O Is Looking For

The BAA covers DARPA's entire information innovation portfolio, spanning AI and machine learning, cybersecurity and information assurance, large-scale data analytics, autonomous systems, and next-generation computing architectures. Unlike topic-specific solicitations, the office-wide BAA allows researchers to propose novel ideas that don't fit neatly into existing programs—making it one of the few federal mechanisms that rewards genuinely unconventional thinking.

DARPA evaluates proposals on technical merit, potential impact on national security, and the proposer's ability to execute. Small businesses, universities, and large defense contractors are all eligible, though DARPA has historically favored teams that can demonstrate working prototypes or preliminary results.

Why Small Businesses Should Pay Attention

The I2O BAA complements DARPA's SBIR/STTR program but operates on a different scale. While SBIR Phase I awards typically cap at $250,000, BAA awards can reach into the millions for multi-year efforts. For small technology companies with capabilities in AI, cybersecurity, or autonomy, the BAA represents a direct path to DARPA program manager relationships that can lead to sustained defense research funding.

Companies already holding SBIR Phase II awards in adjacent technology areas are particularly well-positioned. DARPA program managers frequently use BAA submissions to identify teams for future directed solicitations and other transaction agreements.

How to Prepare a Competitive Submission

The November deadline gives teams eight months to develop proposals, but preparation should start now. Successful DARPA submissions typically include a clear problem statement tied to a defense capability gap, a technical approach that represents a significant advance over current state of the art, and a credible team with relevant domain expertise.

Interested proposers should register on SAM.gov and review the full BAA on DARPA's website. Attending DARPA's Proposers' Days—announced on their events page—is one of the most effective ways to understand program manager priorities before submitting.

For coverage of defense research funding opportunities, grantedai.com tracks DARPA, DoD SBIR, and related programs. In-depth analysis of defense innovation funding is available on the Granted blog.