Ag x BTO

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking for innovative ideas to develop novel capabilities for national security.

DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office (BTO) wishes to catalyze future efforts to defend agriculture against threats both naturally occurring and manmade.

DARPA may select teams to attend a workshop and follow-on Pitch Day hosted in the DC area, based on the submissions from this Special Topic Area.

Areas of interest include:

1. Advances to early warning systems for chemical and biological threat surveillance and detection
2. Rapid-response agricultural countermeasures to defend against threats
3. Massively accelerated and expanded crop engineering for long-term threat defeat
4. Integrated and comprehensive threat prediction and modeling for our agricultural systems
5. Novel methods to assess the occurrence of human intervention and to attribute provenance

Ag BTO employs an acquisition strategy to encourage participation by new or non-traditional submitters that bring innovations to BTO. This Special Topic Area (STA) is a supplementary, limited period announcement to solicit, collect, and assess disruptive solutions, and make those solutions available through rapid acquisition pathways. This STA will be open for submissions from June 1 - Aug. 31, 2025. | ERIS special topic area 

Warning: Do not submit via this page: This Special Topic Opportunity Page provides the content requirements and instructions for your submission. 

The actual submission will be made through the ERIS Marketplace.

Submission instructions

The submission & review process for this Special Topic:

Step I – Video pitch submission through the ERIS Marketplace.
Step II – Video submissions are assessed in accordance with the specific BRIDGES Lite assessment process and rubric.

• Submissions will only be accepted via the ERIS Marketplace.
  • After navigating to the ERIS Marketplace, click on the “Request ERIS Account” button to register for an ERIS account
  • Once registered, click on the “Access ERIS” button to begin the submission workflow
• To submit your video pitch to Special Topic: Ag BTO Pitch Day, the title of your submission
  must start with “Ag BTO” and then continue with your solution title (e.g., Ag BTO: HighTempo Surveillance Network).
• For the content of the video submission, all submissions must adhere to the ERIS Marketplace guidelines and submission instructions in Section VII of the ERIS Master program solicitation. The ERIS submission checklist is available via the ERIS Marketplace website. Each submission must include:
  • 7-minute pitch video
  • ERIS supplemental slides
  • Submission form
• Video submissions should address one problem statement from the list below. Videos that do not address one, or address multiple, of the technical areas in the problem statement below will not be assessed.
• If the performer desires to propose against multiple problem statements, separate proposal submissions are required. There is no limit on the number of solutions each performer can submit
• Performer submissions should not include Human Subjects Research (HSR) and/or Animal Subjects Research (ASR). If desired, the submitter and the Government can discuss ASR/HSR, as applicable, after the Marketplace assessment is conducted.

Problem statement

The goal of Ag BTO is to fund proposals that catalyze future innovation in agricultural defense throughout the supply chain. Toward this goal, Ag BTO’s objective is to spark innovation regarding defending our nation’s food supply, including crops, promoting national security interests. Proposed work will serve as a springboard for further program development at DARPA if compelling. Submitters should demonstrate pushing the state of the art forward in at least one of the Technical Areas below.

1. Advances to early warning systems for chemical and biological threat surveillance, where desired attributes include: Geo-spatial resolution, temporal resolution, autonomous operation, and real-time readout.
2. Rapid-response agricultural countermeasures to provide short-term defense against current and future threats, buffering against crop and threat expansion via protection and containment.
3. Massively accelerated and expanded crop engineering for long-term threat defeat
   including both prophylactic protection and long-term sustainment approaches.
4. Integrated and comprehensive prediction and modeling of threat pathogenicity and
   countermeasure effectiveness for our agricultural systems.
5. Novel methods to assess the occurrence of human intervention and to attribute
   provenance, to support stakeholder decision making in the attribution triaging
   workflow.

Submitters are responsible for reviewing DARPA-PS-25-05 and any subsequent amendments before preparing a video submission. 

Video submissions for this Special Topic Area must follow the compliance check and assessment process in Sections VIII and IX of the latest amendment to DARPA-PS-25-05 and are subject to its terms and conditions.

Key dates

• June 1, 2025: Ag x BTO topic area opens for submissions
• Aug. 31, 2025 at noon ET: Submissions close
• Sept. 30, 2025: Workshop invitations delivered
• Oct. 10, 2025: Proposal Workshop at DARPA
• Nov. 13, 2025: Pitch Day

FAQs

Last updated: Aug. 8, 2025

1. Is the Ag x BTO program focused exclusively on biosecurity threats to our ag sector, or focused on man made threats to our ag sector, including both biosecurity and cybersecurity threats? 
A: Responses addressing cybersecurity threats to the ag sector are in scope.

2. The language in the opportunity seems mostly geared towards plants, although it doesn't explicitly mention this as a focus. Our concept is mainly relevant to animal agriculture - is that within scope? Specifically, in Technical Areas 2 and 3, the word crop is used - is this meant to rule out solutions related to animals? More generally, the opportunity mentions that animal subjects research is precluded - are there any exceptions to this? 
A: Proposals involving animal use will not be eligible for current AgxBTO-funded events such as the workshop or pitch day. However, proposers with animal or livestock solutions may submit to the ERIS BTO Enduring Topic notice which is anticipated to be posted to the marketplace by September 1st 2025 for future consideration.

3. I am planning to submit our application through SAM.gov, but wanted to see if there was any additional steps we should take or anyone we could speak with to give more background on our solution before or after we complete the submission process. 
A: It is not possible to discuss specific concepts with program managers at this point in the process. Please submit your concept video. If deemed awardable, you will then have the opportunity for follow on conversations with interested parties.

4. My project proposal involves marine organisms – specifically fish. Does this fall under DARPA's definition of an "agricultural crop" for this specific special topic call? 
A: Proposals involving animal use will not be eligible for current AgxBTO-funded events such as the workshop or pitch day. However, proposers with animal or livestock solutions may submit to the ERIS BTO Enduring Topic notice which is anticipated to be posted to the marketplace by September 1st 2025 for future consideration.

5. Is there a plan for future engagement opportunities (virtual or in-person), or an alternative mechanism to gain similar insights – such as a publication, summary, or recording of the event? 
A: We have a second event that will have both in person and remote options. Please also check the Ag x BTO site for updates. Midwest Innovators: Join Us In Person at the Iowa State University on August 12 We’re excited to offer a special in-person opportunity for innovators in the Midwest to connect directly with DARPA’s BTO and the new Ag × BTO initiative. 
Event: DARPA’s Ag × BTO: Midwest Series
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025 | 9:30 a.m - 12:45 p.m. CT
Location: Student Innovation Center
Iowa State University
606 Bissell Rd., Ames, Iowa
Registration: https://events.sa-meetings.com/website/87841/home/
(Note: Recommended in-person participation; registration closes on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025)

6. Is work addressing animal parasites in scope for Ag x BTO? 
A: Yes, if the work is related to the parasite itself and does not require animal use approval.

7. Are concepts involving insects in scope? Is this considered animal use? 
A: Responses addressing insects are in scope if animal use is not included in the proposed solution (for more information on animal use, please see DoD Instruction 3216.01 and DHA-MSR 6025.02/DI-18). 8. What is the total award opportunity for an awardable solution? 

8. What is the total award opportunity for an awardable solution?
A: We anticipate awards of up to $500K per selected proposer for periods of performance of nine months to one year.

9. Are we able to pitch a concept or does it have to be a particular program? 
A: We are asking interested parties to submit capability videos addressing the posted topic areas. Awardable teams may be invited to a workshop for concept refinement and to a Pitch Day event later in the year.

10. My concept involves domestic production of necessary animal supplements that may be otherwise threatened by overseas supply chain issues. No animals are used in the process. Is this in scope? 
A: Yes, this is in scope.

11. Is animal disease research in scope if no animals are purchased or used in the experiments? 
A: Please see DoD Instruction 3216.01 and DHA-MSR 6025.02/DI-18 for information on animal use. If your concept involves animals but not animal use as defined in these documents, then it would be permissible. Animal disease research is in scope.

12. We are a small business with capabilities in the Ag Defense space. Is it possible to speak to a contact or mentor at DARPA or DARPAConnect regarding our concept? 
A: It is not possible to discuss specific concepts related to Ag x BTO with program managers at this point in the process. Please submit your concept video. If deemed awardable, interested parties may initiate follow-on conversations.

13. Do small businesses apply to Ag BTO in the same manner as other offerors? 
A: Yes. Please submit your capability video through ERIS according to the instructions on Sam.gov. You may also visit the Ag x BTO site  for links to the Special Notice and other helpful information.