MXO Pitch Day 2026

The DARPA-PA-26-07 solicitation for the MXO Pitch Day 2026 is an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) initiative designed to catalyze short-term scientific discovery in three high-impact thrust areas: “a world beyond electronics,” “foundations beyond components,” and “materials beyond nature and current synthetic practice.” The program prioritizes funding innovative, early-stage research that reduces technical uncertainty and has the potential to spark future breakthroughs, with a strong emphasis on engaging non-traditional performers including small businesses, startups, and university teams whose Principal Investigators and Co-Principal Investigators have no prior experience as leads on DARPA-funded awards. Proposals are limited to a maximum funding ceiling of $500,000 and a performance period of no more than 12 months, with eligible costs restricted to labor, materials, equipment, other direct expenses, and reasonable profit—explicitly excluding travel, publication fees, and subawards. All submissions must be electronic, unclassified, and submitted as a single PDF abstract not exceeding five pages via the DARPA BAAT portal by July 29, 2026, following strict formatting rules including 12-point minimum font, one-inch margins, and inclusion of a cover sheet with the proposer’s CAGE code, confirmation of PI attendance at the in-person Pitch Day in Chicago on November 2, 2026, and mandatory disclosure of any AI tools used in preparation. Offerors must meet key eligibility requirements including SAM.gov and PIEE registration, valid CAGE code, and CMMC Level 1 self-assessment status in SPRS, while FFRDCs, UARCs, and government entities are prohibited from submitting. Each proposal must be tied to a uniquely defined team with no individual serving as key personnel on more than one abstract from the same organization. Fundamental research projects require submission of biographical sketches and current and pending support forms for all key personnel and will be subject to a Fundamental Research Risk-Based Security Review. Evaluation is based solely on technical merit, assessed through three qualitative factors: defining the problem and understanding the state of the art, potential to catalyze future research, and team vision and expertise—with no cost or price evaluation. Proposals must be submitted as a .zip or .zipx file containing the abstract and optionally up to two technical papers and references, all in PDF format and unclassified. Post-award, DARPA will determine whether the research is classified as fundamental or non-f