Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide

The Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement is issued by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Defense that is responsible for advancing breakthrough technologies for national security. DARPA’s Information Innovation Office focuses specifically on research in information science, including artificial intelligence, data analytics, cyber systems, and advanced computing. This office-wide announcement serves as a mechanism for soliciting innovative research proposals from a wide range of performers capable of addressing complex technological challenges relevant to defense and national security priorities. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to enable DARPA to receive and evaluate proposals across a broad spectrum of information technology and computational research areas without being limited to a narrowly defined program. The announcement allows for flexibility in proposing novel concepts that align with DARPA’s mission, including but not limited to machine learning, autonomy, cybersecurity, distributed systems, and human-machine interaction. Funding may be used to support research and development activities, including theoretical exploration, prototype development, testing, and demonstration of advanced capabilities. Awards may be issued in multiple forms, including cooperative agreements, grants, procurement contracts, or other transaction agreements, depending on the nature of the proposed work. This announcement does not impose a cost sharing or matching requirement, allowing proposers to submit projects without the need for financial contribution from their own resources. Funding levels, number of awards, and award ceilings or floors are not specified in the notice, as DARPA typically evaluates proposals individually and allocates funding based on technical merit and programmatic fit. The scope of funding is therefore highly flexible and contingent upon the quality and relevance of submitted proposals. Eligibility for this opportunity is broadly defined. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the government’s requirements may submit proposals. This includes academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, private companies, and other research entities. The announcement emphasizes inclusivity in participation, provided that the proposing organization demonstrates the technical capability and capacity to perform the proposed work. Additional eligibility details are contained within the full Broad Agency Announcement documentation. The application process under this announcement typically involves submission of a full proposal in response to DARPA’s guidelines, which may include technical and management volumes, cost proposals, and supporting documentation. While specific application components are not detailed in the summary notice, DARPA proposals generally require detailed technical approaches, schedules, and justification of costs. Proposals are evaluated based on criteria such as scientific and technical merit, relevance to DARPA’s mission, and the proposer’s capabilities. As of June 24, 2026, this Broad Agency Announcement has been officially closed. However, an exception is provided for proposers who have been explicitly encouraged by DARPA to submit proposals; these invited submissions may be accepted until July 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. For all other interested parties, DARPA directs applicants to a newly published successor opportunity under the Information Processing Techniques Office (IPTO). The original application window opened on November 28, 2025, and had a general closing date of June 24, 2026, with an archive date of December 30, 2026. For questions or issues accessing the full announcement, applicants may contact the DARPA BAA Coordinator via email. No specific award timeline or performance period is provided in the notice, and no recurring cycle is indicated, as this type of Broad Agency Announcement is typically issued on an as-needed basis rather than a fixed annual schedule.