Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide

The Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide funding opportunity, issued by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), seeks revolutionary research proposals in the domains of information and computational science and technology. This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), numbered HR001126S0001, was released on November 28, 2025, and invites innovative and high-risk research initiatives that align with or complement I2O's ongoing technical thrusts. The I2O focuses on creating transformative technologies to maintain a strategic edge for national security and emphasizes collaboration from non-traditional sources alongside existing DARPA performers. DARPA’s I2O is currently interested in four main research thrusts: Transformative AI, Resilient and Secure Software Systems, Offensive and Defensive Cybersecurity and Privacy, and Fighting in the Information Domain. These categories encompass a wide spectrum of technological ambitions—from trustworthy AI and vulnerability-free software ecosystems to advanced cyber capabilities and defenses in the cognitive, semantic, and digital layers of the information space. Proposals that do not directly fit into these thrusts but demonstrate exceptional potential to provide decisive computational advantages will still be considered, provided they reflect radical innovation beyond the current state of the art. Eligible applicants include all responsible sources capable of meeting the government's research and development needs, including U.S. and non-U.S. entities. While Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), small and disadvantaged businesses, and minority institutions are encouraged to apply, no portion of the opportunity is set aside for specific groups. University-Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) are discouraged from applying unless prior approval is secured due to conflict-of-interest risks. The application process is two-phased. First, proposers must submit an abstract through the DARPA Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) and receive an invitation to submit a full proposal. Uninvited proposals will not be reviewed. Proposals may be submitted through BAAT (for most submission types) or Grants.gov (for grants/cooperative agreements). Classified proposal procedures are provided in a separate attachment. The solicitation outlines comprehensive evaluation criteria, including scientific and technical merit, alignment with DARPA’s mission, implementation of resilient software, and cost realism. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until November 30, 2026. Abstracts are due no later than November 1, 2026. This opportunity is non-recurring and does not require cost sharing or matching unless an award is made under an Other Transaction agreement for prototype or research activities. Full proposals must include two volumes (Technical/Management and Cost), a proposal summary slide, and optionally a redlined contract or agreement model. Submissions anticipating fundamental research must complete specific disclosure forms as part of the review process. Questions may be directed to the BAA Coordinator at HR001126S0001@darpa.mil.

Strong emphasis on scientific and technical merit; address DARPA mission relevance; mitigate technical risks; use formal methods for resilient software; avoid low-risk, low-impact ideas.