Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Information Innovation Office (I2O) issued Broad Agency Announcement HR001126S0001 to solicit revolutionary research ideas in the information and computational domains. The program focuses on four primary thrust areas: transformative AI, resilient and secure software and complex systems, offensive and defensive cybersecurity and privacy, and fighting in the information domain. DARPA is specifically seeking unconventional approaches that provide advances significantly beyond the state-of-the-art, excluding research that only offers evolutionary improvements. Awards may be issued as procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transaction (OT) agreements. Proposals are evaluated based on a pass/fail gate for conformance and relevance, followed by weighted factors including scientific and technical merit, contribution to the DARPA mission, plans for resilient software, and cost realism. Submissions must utilize the required I2O Office Wide Abstract Template and adhere to a five-page limit. While abstracts are generally accepted on a rolling basis via the Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT), the program has experienced temporary pauses in abstract submissions during 2026 due to internal organizational realignment. Contractors must comply with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements under DFARS 252.204-7021, with specific levels assigned based on the sensitivity of the information handled. Work involving classified information requires a detailed security plan and adherence to strict submission protocols. While no portion of the announcement is set aside, DARPA encourages participation from small businesses, minority institutions, and historically black colleges and universities.