Young Faculty Award (YFA) 2025
ID: DARPARA2501Type: Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA)DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCYARLINGTON, VA, 222032114, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

PSC

NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; BASIC RESEARCH (AC11)
Timeline
    Description

    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is offering the Young Faculty Award (YFA) for 2025, aimed at supporting early-career researchers in academia and non-profit research institutions to advance innovative research relevant to national security. The program seeks to engage rising stars in junior research positions, providing grants of up to $500,000 over a 24-month period, with an additional 12-month funding option based on performance. This initiative is crucial for fostering connections between academic research and Department of Defense (DoD) needs, ultimately developing the next generation of researchers focused on transformative defense capabilities. Interested applicants must submit an executive summary by November 18, 2024, and full proposals by February 5, 2025; for further inquiries, contact the BAA Coordinator at YFA2025@darpa.mil.

    Point(s) of Contact
    BAA Coordinator
    YFA2025@darpa.mil
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The DARPARA2501 Young Faculty Award (YFA) executive summary template outlines requirements for submissions to this federal initiative aimed at funding innovative research by early-career faculty. The document mandates adherence to specific formatting rules, including a maximum one-page limit for the executive summary and a separate cover sheet containing all identifying information. Anonymization of the executive summary is crucial to maintain fairness in the review process. The executive summary must encompass several key components: a concise project overview, a background on the problem being addressed, a description of the potential impact of the project, followed by a detailed methodology outlining the research plan and unique approaches. This structure aims to clearly communicate the proposal’s significance, current limitations in the field, and the novel aspects of the proposed methodologies above existing solutions. The overall purpose of the document is to set a standard for submissions to ensure clarity and compliance with DARPA's funding requirements, facilitating a competitive review process for grant consideration.
    The document outlines a government Request for Proposal (RFP) related to a project aimed at delivering significant benefits to the Department of Defense (DoD). The proposal emphasizes the project's potential impact, highlighting quantitative measures of success and relevant applications within the DoD context. A concise technical approach is presented, detailing key methodologies and a potential diagram. Major technical risks are identified, alongside strategies to mitigate these risks effectively. The proposer underscores the importance of addressing a critical problem with the proposed solution, suggesting a strong alignment with strategic government interests. Overall, the document serves to articulate a comprehensive project vision while emphasizing rigorous technical planning and risk management essential for successful proposal evaluation and execution.
    The DARPA Young Faculty Award (YFA) proposal template outlines mandatory requirements for preparing a Technical and Management Volume for a 36-month project. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in a non-conforming submission. Proposals must be formatted in specified sizes, with a maximum of 8 pages for the main content—excluding figures, references, and optional bibliography. Key components include an executive summary addressing the project's goals, impact, methods, and funding details, alongside technical challenges and proposed solutions. The proposal emphasizes the importance of illustrating innovative aspects, organizational capabilities, personnel qualifications, and a detailed Statement of Work (SOW). A clear management plan outlining roles, coordination, and risk management strategies among team members is essential. The proposal must also include a schedule highlighting tasks and milestones. Additionally, it should detail previous and pending federal awards related to the research area. This document serves to guide researchers in effectively articulating their projects, promoting clarity, conciseness, and compliance with established federal guidelines for competitive grant submissions. Overall, it promotes the rigorous evaluation of proposals based on technical merit, innovation, and management strategies.
    The DARPARA2501 Young Faculty Award (YFA) document outlines the mandatory requirements for submitting proposals related to a research initiative overseen by the DARPA Technical Office. It stresses the importance of completing the Administrative and National Policy Requirements document accurately, adhering to specific formatting and submission guidelines. The proposal must include identification of team members, affirmations regarding potential organizational conflicts of interest (OCI), and information about intellectual property (IP) rights. Proposers must disclose any prior support provided to DARPA and potential IP restrictions, including details on any patents involved. The document also addresses considerations related to human subjects research, animal use, and statements regarding unpaid tax liabilities or felony convictions. Overall, this document serves as a comprehensive guide for applicants to ensure compliance with federal policies, necessary disclosures, and ethical considerations in research proposals.
    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has released a Research Announcement for the Young Faculty Award (YFA) 2025, aimed at supporting early-career researchers in academia and non-profit research institutions. Proposals must focus on innovative research aligned with national security issues and must be submitted through an executive summary before the formal proposal by specified deadlines in November 2024 and February 2025. DARPA anticipates making multiple awards, with funding of up to $500,000 over a 24-month base period. Eligible proposers must hold tenured track faculty positions or equivalent roles and have limited prior funding from DARPA. The YFA program encourages high-impact, transformative research relevant to DoD needs, emphasizing revolutionary advancements rather than incremental improvements. Proposals are evaluated based on scientific merit, relevance to DARPA's mission, and cost realism. Key technical areas of interest span across Defense Sciences, Microsystems Technology, Information Innovation, and Tactical Technology. Overall, the announcement serves as a framework for fostering the next generation of researchers dedicated to enhancing national security technologies through groundbreaking research while offering guidance on proposal submission and evaluation processes.
    Lifecycle
    Title
    Type
    Solicitation
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