Broad Agency Announcements

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS
An alternative path for research ideas that don't fit neatly into a traditional funding call.

Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) allow federal agencies—particularly within the Department of Defense—to solicit innovative research across broad areas of scientific and technical interest. Unlike traditional funding opportunities built around a narrowly defined project, BAAs often invite researchers to bring forward their own approaches to an agency's research priorities.

A BAA may be worth exploring if:

  • Your research aligns with a federal agency's mission but not a specific open solicitation.
  • You have an innovative technical approach or emerging research concept.
  • Your work could advance an agency's broader research priorities.
  • You are willing to contact a program officer or technical POC and potentially develop a white paper or concept paper before preparing a full proposal.

Looking Beyond BAAs?

Not every research idea will align with an active Broad Agency Announcement. Some federal agencies also consider unsolicited proposals for innovative concepts that fall within their mission but are not addressed by a current funding opportunity.

If you've reviewed available BAAs and haven't found the right fit, explore our Submitting Unsolicited Proposals resource for agency guidance, submission considerations, and next steps.

→ Explore Unsolicited Proposal Guidance

Current BAAs to Explore

The United States Military Academy BAA W911NF-20-S-0008.

The U.S. Military Academy (USMA) Broad Agency Announcement supports basic and applied research across a broad range of scientific, engineering, technological, behavioral, and social science disciplines relevant to the Army and West Point's research and education missions.

Research interests span areas such as engineering and infrastructure, energy and sustainability, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, cybersecurity, data science and modeling, advanced materials and manufacturing, life and health sciences, human performance, behavioral and social sciences, organizational effectiveness, and other emerging technologies.

Researchers should review the individual research areas and associated technical points of contact identified in the BAA before developing a submission. Because Army research is strongly mission-driven, investigators are encouraged to communicate with the appropriate technical contact to determine alignment and interest before investing significant effort in a full proposal.

Potential MSU Fit: The breadth of the USMA BAA creates opportunities across numerous areas of MSU expertise, including engineering, computing and artificial intelligence, advanced materials, energy, infrastructure and resilience, agriculture and environmental science, human performance, education, and behavioral and social sciences. Interdisciplinary concepts that connect fundamental research with Army operational, educational, or workforce needs may be particularly relevant.

Researchers should review the current BAA and individual research topics carefully for submission requirements, deadlines, and points of contact.

To view resources and a breakdown of this BAA by campaign, go HERE. 

Department of Defense: Dept. of the Army: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Engineer Research and Development Center

SOLICITATION

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Broad Agency Announcement supports basic and applied research across a wide range of science, engineering, environmental, and technology areas. Research interests span ERDC's seven laboratories and include:

  • Coastal & Hydraulics: coastal engineering and resilience, hydrology, sediment management, dredging, navigation, water resources, and hydraulic systems.

  • Geotechnical & Structures: geotechnical engineering, infrastructure, pavements, concrete and advanced materials, structural engineering, geophysics, vehicle mobility, and protective structures.

  • Environmental: environmental sensing and monitoring, water quality, contaminants and remediation, ecosystems, wetlands, invasive species, natural resource management, environmental modeling, resilience, and disaster response.

  • Information Technology: computational science, modeling and simulation, artificial intelligence/machine learning, data science, high-performance computing, cybersecurity, and related information technologies.

  • Construction Engineering: resilient and sustainable infrastructure, construction materials and technologies, energy and water security, installation management, and autonomous/robotic systems.

  • Cold Regions: research involving snow, ice, frozen ground, cold-region infrastructure and mobility, environmental processes, sensing, and engineering in extreme environments.

  • Geospatial Research: geospatial intelligence, remote sensing, terrain analysis, mapping, modeling, and technologies for collecting, processing, and analyzing geospatial information.

Researchers may submit pre-proposals throughout the year in the research areas identified in the BAA. Initial pre-proposals are limited to five pages and are submitted to the ERDC laboratory associated with the proposed research area.

MSU Connection: With four ERDC laboratories located in Vicksburg and significant overlap between ERDC research priorities and MSU expertise, this BAA offers a particularly relevant pathway for MSU researchers interested in developing new collaborations with ERDC.

SOLICITATION

The U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) Broad Agency Announcement supports basic, applied, and advanced research focused on improving human performance and Army readiness through behavioral and social science.

Research interests address areas such as personnel assessment and selection, talent management, training and learning, leader development, team and organizational effectiveness, decision-making, human performance, and the development and retention of Soldiers and leaders.

ARI encourages researchers to contact the appropriate Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) or ARI research manager before developing a submission. The recommended process is generally initial contact → white paper → full proposal, allowing researchers and ARI to determine whether a concept aligns with current priorities and available funding before significant proposal development occurs.

Open through: April 30, 2028
Notice: W911NF-23-S-0010

Potential MSU Fit: This BAA may be particularly relevant to researchers in psychology, sociology, education, organizational and workforce development, human factors, communication, management, data and decision sciences, and other fields examining individual, team, or organizational performance.

Want to Learn More About Engaging with DARPA?

DARPA takes a distinctive approach to identifying and funding high-risk, high-reward research, with Broad Agency Announcements playing an important role in connecting researchers with agency priorities and program managers.

Explore ORD's archived Introduction to DARPA Engagement webinar for an MSU-focused overview of DARPA priorities, funding mechanisms, and strategies for engaging with the agency. The archive includes the session recording, presentation slides, and additional resources.

Presented by Dr. Narcisa Pricope, Ph.D., Associate VP for Research and Professor of Geosciences and Dr. Michael Koeris, Director of the Biological Technologies Office, DARPA.

Introduction to DARPA Engagement.

Identifying the right agency, research area, and program contact can be an important first step in pursuing a BAA. ORD can help MSU researchers explore potential alignment, identify relevant opportunities, and think through next steps before significant proposal development begins.

For assistance, email development@ord.msstate.edu.