Protein ENGineering (PENG)

The DARPA Protein ENGineering (PENG) program seeks innovative, multi‑disciplinary teams to create a universal, software‑defined platform that can precisely edit endogenous proteins in living cells and tissues. The effort is divided into three phases (Phase 1A – 18 months, Phase 1B – 6 months, Phase 2 – 18 months) and will culminate in a validated prototype capable of multiplexed, reversible protein modifications in organoid and animal models. Funding will be provided through Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs). Successful proposals must demonstrate expertise in computational protein design, synthetic chemistry, and cellular/tissue biology, and must deliver measurable editing efficiency, generalizable chemistry, and multiplexing capability across at least three distinct protein families. • Goal: Develop a target‑agnostic, programmable protein‑editing platform (≈ “CRISPR for proteins”). • Scope: Computational design, chemistry development, multiplexed control, validation in 3‑D cell models and animal systems. • Period of Performance: 42 months total (Phase 1A + 1B + 2). • Award Instrument: Other Transaction Agreement (prototype development). • Key Milestones: Kick‑off (Month 1), interim technical reports (Months 6, 9, 12, 18), Phase 1B demonstration (Month 24), Phase 2 integration & go‑to‑market plan (Months 30‑42). • Eligibility: U.S. entities only; non‑U.S. participants prohibited. Small businesses, minorities, and universities encouraged. • Funding Estimate: Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost to be provided in abstract; typical DARPA OTAs for a 42‑month effort range from $10‑30 M.