Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

Release: Dec 9, 2025

Close: Jan 6, 2026

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Biological Technologies Office published a Special Notice announcing a Proposers Workshop for the Generative Optogenetics (GO) program to be held January 7, 2026 in the Greater DC area. The workshop is intended to support an anticipated program solicitation and allows registrants to submit teaming profiles and lightning talks (slots limited, first-come first-served); advance registration by December 29, 2025 is required. The GO program seeks development of a molecular machine (a Nucleic Acid Compiler) that translates optical signals into DNA/RNA sequences within living cells; expected program duration is 42 months across two phases.

Release: Dec 9, 2025

Close: Jan 5, 2026

To develop the NAC, the GO program consists of two Research Objectives (ROs): Research Objective 1 (RO1): De Novo Synthesis – All responses to the GO Program Solicitation MUST address RO1 to describe how they will develop the core capability of the NAC for template-free DNA or RNA synthesis such that optical inputs dictate the sequence of the nucleic acid produced by the NAC in a living cell. Teams are strongly encouraged to focus their proposals on synthesis of either DNA or RNA, although this selection is not a strict requirement. Responses to RO1 must clearly describe how they intend to address three key challenges: engineering constituent protein domains, integration of domains into the NAC, and the stability of the NAC-nucleic acid complexes. See attached file.

Release: Nov 14, 2025

Close: Dec 6, 2025

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) published a Special Notice announcing the Crystal Palace program (paired with the I-MaDe program) to solicit preliminary interest and outline research priorities for rapid synthesis of complex thin-film inorganic materials. The notice requests proposers to define multi-element materials (2–4 elements) across types such as semiconductors, magnetics, or piezoelectrics and demonstrate precise, locally controlled, reproducible synthesis processes targeting single-crystal quality on ~2-inch scales. The Special Notice was posted on November 14, 2025, amended on November 25, 2025, and responses are due in early December 2025.