Young Faculty Award (YFA)

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). 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.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include rising stars in junior research positions in academia and equivalent positions at non-profit research institutions, particularly those without prior DARPA funding. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government Entities are also eligible. Foreign Entity Participation is allowed under certain conditions.

Period of Performance
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. A target start date of July 2023 may be assumed for planning purposes.

Grant Value
Anticipated Individual Awards: DARPA anticipates multiple awards.