To meet its unique mission of preventing and creating strategic surprise, DARPA has developed multiple pathways for new contributors to work with the Agency. This lesson explores different entry points through which innovators can connect with and contribute to DARPA's mission.

The DARPA Expedited Research Implementation Series (ERIS) Marketplace provides both researchers and government users with a rapid procurement pathway to connect powerful innovations and ideas directly to DARPA PMs and other military organizations. In this lesson, you'll learn key strategies for creating a compelling submission to the ERIS Marketplace.

DARPA works on both unclassified and classified programs. If you’re preparing to work on classified programs at DARPA, understanding Facility Security Clearance (FCL) is an essential first step in handling secure information. This lesson provides an overview of FCLs, how the FCL process works, and tips and resources for completing the FCL package.

Whether you're new to government contracting or a seasoned professional, traditional contracts may seem overly-complex and daunting. However, Other Transactions (OTs) are not your typical government contract. Unlike traditional procurement contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, OTs provide greater flexibility to support cutting-edge research and prototype development. This lesson will delve into the types of OTs, their benefits, and how DARPA effectively utilizes this powerful tool to drive innovation and accelerate technological advancements.

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the defense industry is highly competitive and driven by innovation. Intellectual property (IP), which encompasses patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets, plays a crucial role in protecting and monetizing the valuable assets that you may help to develop. This lesson provides an overview of IP considerations when working with DARPA.

Advanced Research Concepts (ARC) are DARPA’s newest funding mechanism. This lesson will guide you through the ARC application process, highlighting common missteps and offering strategies for a successful submission.

Teaming up with other organizations to collaborate on DARPA programs offers an important opportunity to maximize each of your individual strengths to build groundbreaking new capabilities for national security. This lesson explores various types of teaming, as well as tips and strategies for building strong and effective teams.

DARPA relies on global partnerships with fellow members of the international science and technology ecosystem to achieve its mission. In this module, you will learn more about opportunities for global participants to work with DARPA, helpful hints and tips for members of the international community, and success stories from previous DARPA programs with contributions from organizations outside of the United States.

Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) are an important mechanism for DARPA to solicit innovative solutions and ideas from industry, academia, and other organizations. Throughout this module, we will delve into the purpose and structure of BAAs, the key components of a BAA, the difference between Office-Wide and Program-Specific BAAs, and the process of responding to a BAA.

Becoming a DARPA performer may be the primary avenue that comes to mind when you think of your journey to working with DARPA. But, there are a variety of ways to join the DARPA enterprise, including becoming a program manager, support contractor, Young Faculty Awardee, and DARPA Innovation Fellow. In this module, we’ll explore each of these opportunities in more detail to showcase the variety of ways in which you can bring your expertise, interests, and innovations to DARPA.