Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

The future of collaborative autonomy isn't about unlimited communication or unlimited computation. It's about knowing when to communicate and what to reason over so teams can act in unison. DARPA's Unison program aims to advance collaborative autonomy, enabling autonomous teams to dynamically adapt tactics, coordination and communication in operationally challenging environments. Proposers Day 📅 When: Nov. 5 Where: SPARCC, Arlington, Va. Registration closes: Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. ET Register now: https://lnkd.in/exAAfEnX

A 50-year-old hypersonic mystery, tackled. Career-advancing, high-impact energy and machine learning technologies, achieved. This is what happens when DARPA bets on early-career scientists with audacious ideas. For 20 years, DARPA's Young Faculty Award (YFA) has connected rising researchers at academic institutions with DARPA program managers, national security challenges, and the opportunity to pursue ambitious science. Hear how these ideas and the researchers behind them take flight in "The Audacity Incubator," episode 98 of "Voices from DARPA." Listen now. 🎧 https://lnkd.in/ebDbwSS4 Are you interested in being part of YFA? 2027? Topics are open now! Executive summaries are due Nov. 5. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/emAqZ8FW

Current biomanufacturing relies on customized and bespoke downstream processing methods to purify proteins. This slow, lock-and-key approach creates a significant bottleneck, limiting rapid access to critical biological materials needed for national security and defense applications. Enter Protein Palace, a new program from DARPA's Multi X Office (MXO). Protein Palace aims to develop a universal, tunable platform capable of rapidly separating virtually any protein with high purity and yield. By moving beyond rigid, predefined affinity methods, the program seeks to dramatically reduce the time and cost of modern biomanufacturing. Intrigued? Join us at the program's Proposers Day to learn more about the program vision and connect with potential team members. What: Protein Palace Proposers Day (in person) Where: Arlington, Va. When: Nov. 17, 2026 Registration deadline: Nov. 9, 2026, at 4 p.m. ET Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBzqGahb

How can we better predict transient waves in liquid environments under challenging conditions? DARPA's new Liquid Surge Disruption Opportunity (DO) seeks to advance scientific understanding, predictive modeling, and metrology for understanding wave propagation in compressible fluids. Through this DO, DARPA's Defense Sciences Office is inviting innovative basic and applied research concepts that combine advanced multiscale computational methods with experimental measurement approaches. Abstract deadline: Nov. 3 Proposal deadline: Dec. 14 Solicitation: DARPA-PA-25-07-05 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eAwwbaSW

What can four years at DARPA make possible? For Thomas Kenny, Ph.D., those four years helped turn an early-stage idea into technology now used in aircraft, telecommunications, and defense systems. Kenny came to DARPA with a clear mission: help deliver technology that gives U.S. service members the advantage they need to accomplish their missions and return home safely. He brought together experts in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and packaging technologies to pursue a new idea. DARPA support helped advance the work, laying the foundation for a venture-backed startup that has since grown into a publicly traded company valued at around $7 billion. Kenny's story shows what can happen when public service, strategic investment, and interdisciplinary collaboration come together. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eFs9v6Ry

DARPA's 2027 Young Faculty Award research announcement is now open. The Young Faculty Award (YFA) program seeks innovative proposals from early-career scientists at U.S. academic institutions, with an emphasis on individuals without prior DARPA funding. Executive Summary submissions are required and due Nov. 5, 2026, to remain eligible to submit a full proposal. Selected individuals may receive up to $500,000 in 24-month base funding. The 2027 cycle also includes an option of up to $225,000 to fund a U.S. citizen graduate student in a supporting capacity on a YFA project. Explore the technical areas, eligibility requirements, and submission guidelines: https://lnkd.in/eCyE47_5 Congratulations to the 21 researchers selected for the 2026 YFA class. View YFA recipients from 2006-2026, their institutions, and research titles: https://lnkd.in/eWVZdqpC

In mass casualty incidents, medical triage faces a severe operational bottleneck: hands-on, vital-by-vital assessments cannot scale fast enough to meet overwhelming patient needs. In just a few weeks, DARPA will host the Systems Competition Finals of the DARPA Triage Challenge at Disaster City in College Station, Texas. Meet the teams advancing two critical areas of triage technology: Systems Competition: Uncrewed aerial and ground vehicles (UAVs/UGVs) equipped with stand-off sensors autonomously locate casualties, assess airway compromise and hemorrhage, and monitor vitals in degraded conditions. Data Competition: Predictive machine learning algorithms analyze complex physiological telemetry to forecast the need for life-saving interventions hours before clinical decompensation occurs. Ahead of the final runs in Texas, meet the competitor teams and researchers pioneering this critical work: https://lnkd.in/eembV-qF

What if drones could operate longer without needing to recharge? Wireless power could transform what's possible for autonomous systems, enabling longer missions and opening new opportunities across defense and commercial applications. With support from DARPA's Embedded Entrepreneurship Initiative (EEI), Reach Power is working to turn its innovative power-beaming technology into real-world capabilities. Through EEI, the company has explored new markets, refined its commercialization strategy, and identified opportunities spanning critical infrastructure, energy, and defense. Hear from Reach Power's leadership about their journey from breakthrough technology to practical applications, and how DARPA is helping bridge the gap between innovation and impact.

Missed the first DARPA Surgical Competition Industry Day? You have another opportunity to connect. Join us virtually for a second Industry Day on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 4 to 6 p.m. ET. Register now: https://lnkd.in/eJfaTVwh See how we're defining the future of surgery: https://lnkd.in/eQG4pQcY

Big ideas. Breakthrough technology. Join us in Boulder, Colorado, on Nov. 18 for Mission Connect: Colorado. Meet DARPA leadership and program managers, explore technical demonstrations, learn about our research priorities, and get practical guidance on engaging with DARPA. Connect face to face with our team and fellow innovators. Bring your ideas. Bring your team. Make the connection. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gGPYida2