Reengineering Enabling Sleep Transitions in Operationally Restrictive Environments (RESTORE)

Background
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), through its Defense Sciences Office, is issuing a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the Reengineering Enabling Sleep Transitions in Operationally Restrictive Environments (RESTORE) program. The goal of this program is to solicit innovative proposals that utilize emerging neuromodulation technologies to improve sleep efficiency and cognitive performance under conditions of sleep restriction, which are common in military operations.

The RESTORE program aims to develop noninvasive methods to repair disrupted sleep architectures and enhance cognitive function, moving beyond evolutionary improvements to achieve revolutionary advances in sleep-related performance psychology.

Grant Details
The RESTORE program focuses on two key technical objectives: (i) developing a multimodal system for precision control of sleep macro- and micro-architectures, and (ii) evaluating how these changes affect brain activity, sleep, and cognitive performance. Proposals must include innovative interventions that utilize noninvasive neuromodulation techniques such as transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) and focused ultrasound (FUS), combined with sensory stimulation methods.

Performers will need to demonstrate the effectiveness of their interventions in maintaining mental agility and cognitive capacity during acute periods of sleep restriction characterized by only 3 hours of sleep over 3-7 days. Proposers must conduct Human Subjects Research (HSR) with necessary approvals from Institutional Review Boards (IRB) and comply with U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command regulations.

Eligibility Requirements
All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit proposals. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, and Minority Institutions are encouraged to participate; however, no portion of this announcement will be set aside for these organizations due to impracticality. Non-U.S. organizations may also participate if they comply with applicable regulations.

Period of Performance
The RESTORE program is designed as a 24-month research effort with a target start date assumed for January 2026.

Grant Value
Multiple awards are anticipated under this BAA; however, specific total values for individual grants have not been disclosed.

Place of Performance
The geographic location(s) for the performance of the grant have not been specified.