Young Faculty Award (YFA) 2024

Background
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Young Faculty Award (YFA) program aims to identify and engage rising stars in junior research positions in academia and equivalent positions at non-profit research institutions, particularly those without prior DARPA funding, to expose them to Department of Defense (DoD) needs and DARPA’s mission to create and prevent technological surprise.

The YFA program will provide high-impact funding to elite researchers early in their careers to develop innovative new research that enables transformative DoD capabilities. Ultimately, the YFA program is developing the next generations of researchers focused on national security issues.

Grant Details
DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals in the areas of interest to DARPA’s six technical offices: Biological Technologies Office (BTO), Defense Sciences Office (DSO), Information Innovation Office (I2O), Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), Strategic Technology Office (STO), and Tactical Technology Office (TTO).

The proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.

The program seeks grant proposals for a research activity consisting of a 24-month base period. Each 12-month interval of the base period shall not exceed $250,000. Proposals should also include a 12-month option period with a maximum funding level of $500,000.

Eligibility Requirements
The program aims to engage rising stars in junior research positions in academia and equivalent positions at non-profit research institutions, particularly those without prior DARPA funding.

Period of Performance
The grant consists of a 24-month base period with each 12-month interval not exceeding $250,000. Additionally, there is a 12-month option period with a maximum funding level of $500,000.

Grant Value
Each award will include a 24-month base period with a maximum of $500,000 and a 12-month option period with a maximum of $500,000.