Reengineering Enabling Sleep Transitions in Operationally Restrictive Environments (RESTORE)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has released the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) HR001125S0012 under its Defense Sciences Office for the Reengineering Enabling Sleep Transitions in Operationally Restrictive Environments (RESTORE) program. This 24-month research initiative is focused on developing novel neuromodulation techniques to improve sleep quality and cognitive performance in environments with severely restricted sleep, such as those experienced by military personnel. Through noninvasive methods, RESTORE seeks to advance understanding and control over sleep architectures, including REM, NREM, and EEG micro-patterns, to mitigate cognitive decline during acute sleep deprivation. The project is positioned to provide a non-pharmaceutical alternative to traditional stimulants and hypnotics commonly used in military contexts.

The primary objective of RESTORE is to create and validate a system that can precisely modulate the brain's sleep architecture to preserve mental agility and cognitive function under extreme conditions of limited sleep. The program aims to support the development of multimodal systems that utilize neuromodulation and sensory stimulation to enhance restorative sleep. These systems should demonstrate efficacy in both the enhancement of specific neural sleep patterns and the measurable improvement of cognitive function post-intervention.

DARPA is prepared to fund multiple awards under various instruments including procurement contracts, cooperative agreements, and Other Transactions. Awards will focus on systems capable of manipulating both macro-architectures (such as REM and NREM) and micro-architectures (like sleep spindles and hippocampal ripples), with all technologies either holding existing FDA approvals for clinical research or having a clear plan for securing such approval within the program's timeframe. The research must be tested in a human subjects framework approved by Institutional Review Boards and the U.S. Army's OHARO.

Eligible applicants include all responsible sources, including U.S. and non-U.S. entities, with encouragement extended to minority-serving institutions, small businesses, and historically black colleges. Entities such as UARCs and FFRDCs may only participate under specific conditions due to potential conflicts of interest. Proposals must include specific cognitive performance benchmarks such as 25% improvement in vigilance and processing speed under sleep restriction, supported by psychometric testing tools. Applications should clearly articulate the hypothesis, intervention mechanics, expected outcomes, and the theoretical basis of the proposed approach.

The submission process includes an abstract phase (optional but encouraged), with abstracts due by April 14, 2025, and full proposals due by June 18, 2025. Application requirements differ slightly based on the type of funding instrument requested, and proposers should consult the respective proposal templates and submission portals listed in the announcement. Evaluations will be based on scientific and technical merit, relevance to DARPA’s mission, and cost and schedule realism.

Deliverables include regular progress reports, prototypes, IRB approvals, intervention efficacy evaluations, and a final feasibility report. Proposals should anticipate participation in annual PI meetings, regular teleconferences, and site visits. DARPA also offers support through programs like APEX Accelerators and Project Spectrum, and recommends proposers join DARPAConnect for additional resources.