The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is calling on small businesses, startups and other interested parties to participate in the Microsystems Technology Office Spark Tank, which will be held on July 24 and 25 in Aurora, Colorado.
The event provides an opportunity for organizations working on transformative advances in microsystems to engage with MTO leadership and program managers, DARPA said Tuesday.
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Briefing Industry on DARPA’s Mission Priorities
MTO Spark Tank will provide insights into the office’s mission priorities, such as developing dual-use design technologies to bolster national security and disrupting current ecosystems by using differentiated microsystem manufacturing tools and strategies. It will also host one-on-one meetings with MTO program managers to explore research alignment and collaboration opportunities. In addition, the event will make it easier for first-time proposers to work with DARPA.
According to MTO Director Whitney Mason, the government will engage with new and non-traditional performers through the upcoming event and advance ideas that could “transform our microsystem-powered world.” She added that MTO Spark will serve as a venue “for fresh perspectives and groundbreaking concepts.”
Potential Funding for Short-Term Exploratory Projects
During the event, MTO will allow select participants to propose their concepts directly to program managers for potential funding of up to $400,000 for short-term exploratory efforts. The initiative intends to accelerate the evolution of innovative ideas into future DARPA programs.
For the project, MTO seeks revolutionary ideas that align with its core technical interests, such as unconventional computing to improve processing capabilities and developing electronic microsystems that integrate biological principles for superior sensing and computation capabilities.
Registration for MTO Spark Tank will commence on April 10 and will run until June 30.
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