High-efficiency Nitrogen Oxidation (HNO3)

The High-Efficiency Nitrogen Oxidation (HNO3) program, as announced by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) through its Defense Sciences Office, seeks groundbreaking solutions to decentralize and improve the production of nitric acid, a critical chemical used in both defense and civilian sectors. This funding opportunity, identified as HR001126S0005 and amended on January 5, 2026, is designed to support innovative approaches that avoid incremental advances and instead pursue transformative research. DARPA emphasizes the need for new technologies that can enable high-rate, energy-efficient nitric acid synthesis directly from air and water, bypassing the traditional ammonia-based Haber-Bosch/Ostwald process that is currently resource-intensive and centralized. The HNO3 program addresses key vulnerabilities in the existing nitric acid supply chain, particularly the U.S.'s dependency on ammonia imports which, if disrupted, could affect food production and munitions manufacturing. The traditional HBO method consumes large quantities of hydrogen derived from steam methane reforming, contributing to high energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. DARPA envisions a future where nitric acid can be produced locally, in distributed environments, using more efficient and sustainable electrochemical or other novel methods. The initiative aims to push the boundaries of catalytic and reactor design to achieve these goals. The program is structured into three phases over 42 months: Phase 1a (12 months), Phase 1b (12 months), and Phase 2 (18 months). In Phase 1a, teams are expected to focus on catalyst development and design a small-scale prototype producing 1 liter per day of ≥68% nitric acid. Phase 1b will culminate in a functioning prototype for lab-scale production, while Phase 2 will scale this to 50 liters per day under field conditions. Each phase has specific performance metrics, including minimum reaction rates, energy efficiency thresholds, yield targets, and physical specifications for the system. Independent verification and validation (IV&V) partners from government labs and research centers will assist in testing and ensure consistency across evaluations. To participate, proposers must submit detailed technical plans, including reactor and catalyst concepts, risk mitigation strategies, scalability analysis, and staffing qualifications. Key deadlines include the proposal abstract due date on December 18, 2025, and the final proposal submission due on February 5, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. ET. The program is anticipated to begin in August 2026. DARPA encourages regular collaboration among performers through biannual Principal Investigator meetings and interaction with IV&V teams. Travel to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is required for testing and final demonstrations. Applications may be submitted for different award types, including procurement contracts, cooperative agreements, or Other Transaction Agreements for Prototype. DARPA provides templates and instructions specific to each mechanism and requires submissions via either the Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) or Grants.gov, depending on the award type. Evaluation criteria include scientific merit, contribution to DARPA’s mission, cost realism, proposer capabilities, and the potential for technology transition. Proposals involving fundamental research should clearly state their classification, as DARPA applies a risk-based security review for such work. Program contacts are centralized through the [email protected] email. DARPA's documentation outlines extensive submission requirements and emphasizes the importance of clearly defined deliverables, including periodic reports, sub-scale and full-scale device submissions, and end-of-program demonstrations. While the program is open to various types of institutions, proposals involving federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), university-affiliated research centers (UARCs), or government entities must meet specific conditions to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure open competition.

Clearly align your proposal with program metrics; prioritize innovation and show strong validation plans.