Advancing Autonomous Science for Biological Applications RFI

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Biological Technology Office is seeking input through a Request for Information titled Advancing Autonomous Science for Biological Applications to better understand the current state and future potential of fully autonomous scientific systems in biological research. The RFI aims to identify transformative technologies in artificial intelligence, robotics, and bioengineering that enable self-driving laboratories capable of designing, executing, analyzing, and refining experiments with minimal human intervention. Responses should address five core research areas: the current state of enabling technologies and metrics for success, bottlenecks in workflow interoperability and data exchange, high-impact application areas with national security relevance, safety and biosecurity risks in automated systems, and the role of human-AI collaboration in hybrid workflows. The submission must be delivered as a single document not exceeding seven pages, including a cover page, technical response, and references, with optional summary slides excluded from the page count. Submissions must be sent electronically by 5:00 p.m. ET on July 22, 2026, to AutoSci-RFI@darpa.mil, clearly labeled with the solicitation number DARPA-SN-26-96, in either Word or PDF format without encryption or passwords, and proprietary content must be marked explicitly as “Proprietary” or “Company Proprietary.” This solicitation is purely informational and non-binding under FAR 15.201(e), meaning no contract, award, or payment will result from responses, and no formal contract clauses, pricing, delivery schedules, or procurement terms are included. The agency does not require Unique Entity IDs, CAGE codes, socioeconomic certifications, or size status declarations, nor does it specify inspection criteria, packaging standards, or invoicing protocols. The primary contact for technical inquiries is Dr. Russell Schwartz, Program Manager at DARPA/BTO, with administrative correspondence directed to the provided email. The response will inform future program planning and potential future solicitations, with evaluation based on technical merit, innovation, alignment with national interests, and risk assessment—all assessed holistically without weighted scoring. Responses must remain unclassified and may not include information deemed sensitive under national security protocols, reinforcing the exploratory, community-driven nature of this initiative to advance autonomous science for both public benefit and defense applications.