DARPA Subterranean (SubT) Challenge | HR001118S0016

Opportunity Information: Apply for HR001118S0016

The DARPA Subterranean (SubT) Challenge (Funding Opportunity Number HR001118S0016) is a Department of Defense research and development opportunity run by DARPA's Tactical Technology Office. Its central aim is to drive new innovations that let teams rapidly map, navigate, and search difficult underground or enclosed environments, with an emphasis on integrated capabilities rather than isolated tools. In practical terms, the program is focused on advancing technologies that can operate in complex spaces where GPS is unavailable, communications are unreliable, visibility can be poor, and the environment may be cluttered or unstable. The problem set includes fast situational awareness, robust autonomy or semi-autonomy, and reliable localization and mapping under harsh conditions, all with the goal of improving performance in subterranean-style settings.

This opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity area, and it is associated with CFDA number 12.910. DARPA indicated multiple possible funding mechanisms for awards under this announcement, including Cooperative Agreements, "Other" transaction-type instruments, and Procurement Contracts. That mix of instruments signals flexibility in how DARPA can structure agreements depending on the nature of the proposed work, the performer, and the intended outcomes, which is typical for DARPA programs that seek a combination of foundational research, prototype development, and operational demonstrations.

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to a wide range of applicant types, with the caveat that applicants should review any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement text. In general, unrestricted eligibility in a DARPA context can encompass universities, nonprofit research organizations, small businesses, large businesses, and other entities capable of performing advanced R&D and building integrated systems. The opportunity was created on January 25, 2018, and the original closing date listed is March 23, 2018, reflecting the program's timeline for receiving submissions during that cycle.

DARPA anticipated making around six awards under this opportunity. The award ceiling is listed as 0, which typically indicates that a specific maximum dollar amount was not set in the summary fields or would be defined by other parts of the solicitation, the type of instrument used, negotiations, or the scope of the selected proposals. Overall, the SubT Challenge solicitation is best understood as a competitive effort designed to accelerate progress in subterranean autonomy and sensing by encouraging integrated solutions for mapping, navigation, and search in complex, constrained environments.

• The Department of Defense, DARPA - Tactical Technology Office in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DARPA Subterranean (SubT) Challenge" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.910.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 25, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 23, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for HR001118S0016

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: