# Smart Red Blood Cells (Smart-RBC)

Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/darpaps2602

- Solicitation number: DARPA-PS-26-02
- Notice type: Solicitation
- Status: Closed. Deadline was January 14, 2026
- Department: Department of Defense
- Agency: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- Contracting office: Def Advanced Research Projects Agcy (HR0011)
- NAICS: 541714 Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
- Product or service code: AC12 National Defense R&D Services; Department Of Defense - Military; Applied Research
- First posted: October 17, 2025
- Last posted: October 17, 2025
- SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/a0160217c997497c897c3320db9dcb7f/view

## Description

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals in support of the Smart Red Blood Cells program (Smart-RBC). The DARPA Smart-RBC program aims to engineer red blood cells to contain novel biological features that can safely, temporarily, and reliably alter human physiology. Specifically, the Smart-RBC program will revolutionize blood products by creating “smart red blood cells” (SRBCs).

SRBCs will be engineered to contain additional biological circuits consisting of three layers: Sense extracellular biomarkers; Decide next steps; Act by creating effector molecules that can alter metabolism or physiology. The program will identify the art-of-the-possible to create SRBCs to enhance human performance and maximize survival via hemostasis products. This program does not include clinical trials or direct human testing.

## Publications

- October 17, 2025: Solicitation, due January 14, 2026. Notice a0160217c997497c897c3320db9dcb7f. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/a0160217c997497c897c3320db9dcb7f/view

## Points of contact

- Dr. Christopher Bettinger, DARPA/BTO, Smart-RBC@darpa.mil

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Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/darpaps2602.