The Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Offers $80 million in Grants for Small Technology Businesses
The Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has almost $80 million in grants available for small technology companies. Several times a year, DARPA programs post invitations for entrepreneurs to submit proposals to the agency. Winning companies are eligible for several stages of seed funding, ranging from $99,000 to $750,000.
All of DARPA’s research is performed by outside researchers at large and small businesses, universities, non-profit institutions, government laboratories and other outside research organizations. DARPA funds these researchers based on a competitive review of proposals that are submitted to us in response to a solicitation calling for research ideas.
Obtaining Funding: Step 1
The first step in obtaining research funding from DARPA is to review DARPA’s research interests. Each DARPA technical office maintains a list of current programs and research thrust areas. Lastly, DARPA holds a Systems and Technology Symposium (DARPATech) approximately every 18 to 24 months, to share our priorities for future programs that will help bridge the gap between far-side possibilities of tomorrow and the near-side capabilities of today. Dates of the upcoming DARPATechs are advertised on the website as soon as dates are available.
Obtaining Funding: Step 2
DARPA solicitations most often take the form of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), but can also be called Special Notices, Research Announcements, Requests for Proposals, or something similar. DARPA issues BAAs, each for a specific DARPA research program, throughout the year. DARPA BAAs are published in the U.S. government’s one-stop virtual marketplace, Federal Business Opportunities, also known as FedBizOpps (www.fbo.gov). DARPA also publishes BAAs on www.grants.gov, the central storehouse for information on federal grants.
In addition to program-specific BAAs, each DARPA office issues an “Office-Wide” BAA. These BAAs solicit proposals across a broad range of technology areas. For more information head to http://www.darpa.mil/sbpo/
Stay Warm & Keep Electronics Charge too with New Jacket
This week a new jacket goes on sale that may appeal to the business owner on the go.
The new coat by Mountain Hardwear keeps you warm while charging your devices & gadgets. A built-in battery pack also can heat the jacket up to 100 degrees.
Reach into the front left pocket and you’ll find a power adapter that enables you to charge your iPod, digital camera, GPS device or cell phone — no matter if you’re riding a mountain bike or roaming snowy city streets. The heating and power capabilities are made possible by the addition of rechargeable lithium-ion battery and heating system developed by Ardica Technology.
