Young Faculty Award (YFA) 2027
🏛 DARPA - Defense Sciences Office
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 20, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for early-career researchers and faculty seeking to develop innovative research with defense applications. Applicants must be in junior research positions at academic institutions or nonprofit research organizations. Prior DARPA funding is not required; first-time applicants are encouraged. The program prioritizes researchers without established DARPA relationships who can address national security research needs.
All responsible sources capable of meeting government research needs may submit proposals. Proposals are evaluated competitively based on research innovation and relevance to Department of Defense mission areas. Individual researchers, research teams, and institutions can apply through DARPA's grants management system.
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Program description
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 War (DoW) needs and DARPA’s mission to create and prevent technological surprise for national security. The YFA program provides high-impact funding to researchers early in their careers to develop innovative new research that enables transformative DoW capabilities. Ultimately, the YFA program developes the next generation of researchers focused on national security issues.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Proposal Narrative
- CV or resume
- Budget and budget justification
- Institutional commitment letter (if applicable)
- References or letters of support
- SF-424 or equivalent federal form (check BAA)
Program contact
- 👤 DARPA - Defense Sciences Office
- 📧 YFA2027@darpa.mil
- 📞 571-218-4565
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.910 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$84,583,255
-
$44,089,743
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$36,151,284
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$33,938,157
-
$29,592,309
-
$28,734,050
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$26,975,142
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$26,015,570
-
$25,544,440
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$25,503,840
Top States by Funding
- CA 22 awards $254.1M
- MA 17 awards $167.0M
- SC 2 awards $91.4M
- MI 4 awards $82.6M
- NY 8 awards $64.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.910). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $465,182,503 | |
| 2025 | $322,093,385 | |
| 2026 est. | $352,000,000 |
FAQ
Who qualifies as a "young faculty" applicant?
You must hold a junior research position at an academic institution or nonprofit research organization. DARPA defines this in the BAA—typically assistant professors or equivalent early-career researchers.
Can I apply if I've received DARPA funding before?
The program targets researchers without prior DARPA funding, though prior funding does not automatically disqualify you. Check the BAA for specific eligibility rules.
What types of research does YFA support?
High-impact, innovative research that addresses Department of Defense needs and DARPA mission priorities. Research must enable transformative defense capabilities.
Is there a cost-sharing requirement?
No. The program does not require cost-sharing or matching funds from your institution.
What is the typical award amount and duration?
Award amounts and project durations are specified in the BAA. Check the current solicitation for specific funding levels and grant periods.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Read the full BAA carefully before writing. DARPA's solicitation documents contain critical eligibility rules and evaluation criteria not covered in general descriptions.
- Align your research explicitly with DoD priorities and DARPA's mission. Generic innovation language will not be competitive.
- Emphasize transformative potential and national security impact. DARPA funds high-risk, high-reward research—not incremental work.
- Include clear milestones and deliverables tied to defense applications. Vague research goals reduce competitiveness significantly.
- Partner strategically if needed, but lead with your own intellectual contribution. DARPA evaluates you as the principal researcher.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposals lack explicit connection to DoD needs or DARPA mission priorities. Applicants underestimate the innovation threshold; DARPA funds transformative research, not standard academic projects. Weak project milestones or unclear deliverables reduce competitiveness dramatically.
Similar grants
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- OPEN Air Force Fiscal Year 2027 Young Investigator Program (YIP) — Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- OPEN Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War (DoW) Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) — Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- OPEN Fiscal Year 2027 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) — Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- OPEN Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Department of War (DoW) Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) — Office of Naval Research