View the DARPA Young Faculty Award Proposers Day Webinar with the Fund Searching Services Team (FSST)

Illinois Tech researchers are invited to join the Fund Searching Services Team (FSST) to watch the DARPA Young Faculty Award Proposers Day webinar on Monday, October 3. We will be watching the webinar in Galvin Library’s Cherry Conference Room from 1–4 p.m.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is sponsoring a Proposers Day to provide information to potential proposers on the objectives of an anticipated Research Announcement (RA) for the Young Faculty Award (YFA) program. The event will be held via webcast only. Note, all times listed in this announcement are Eastern Time.

The goals of the YFA Proposers Day are to: (a) introduce the research community to the YFA program vision and goals; (b) explain the mechanics of a DARPA program, and (c) encourage submission by eligible proposers that have the relevant expertise, facilities, and capabilities for executing a research and development program responsive to the YFA program goals.

DARPA anticipates releasing the YFA RA by the end of September 2016. If released, the RA will be available on the Federal Business Opportunities website and here.

Program Objective and Description

The DARPA Young Faculty Award (YFA) program aims to identify and engage rising stars in junior faculty positions in academia and equivalent positions at non-profit research institutions and expose them to Department of Defense (DoD) and National Security challenges and needs. In particular, YFA will provide high-impact funding to elite researchers early in their careers to develop innovative new research directions in the context of enabling transformative DoD capabilities. The long-term goal of the program is to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers in the research community who will focus a significant portion of their future careers on DoD and National Security issues.

DARPA anticipates soliciting innovative research proposals in the areas of physical sciences, engineering, materials, mathematics, biology, computing, informatics, social science, robotics, neuroscience and manufacturing of interest to DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office (DSO), Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), and Biological Technologies Office (BTO). Eligibility requirements are outlined below.

Teaming

The anticipated RA solicits single investigator proposals; however, investigators will be given the opportunity to propose teaming if required due to the nature of the proposal. Teaming and/or subcontract awards will be limited to no more than 30% of the total grant value. It is preferred that potential team members be university professors fitting the proposer eligibility requirements outlined below. Specific content, communications, networking, and team formation will be the sole responsibility of the participants.

Eligibility

Attendance via the webcast is open to individuals who are U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and foreign nationals at U.S. institutions who meet the eligibility criteria listed below:

  • Proposers must be tenure track assistant/associate professors or their equivalent at non-profit research institutions.
  • Proposers must be within eight years of their tenure-clock/appointment start date at a U.S. institution, excluding any personal leaves of absence.
  • Previous YFA Award recipients are not eligible for this or any future YFA program.
  • Former DARPA program managers are not eligible to apply for funding under this program.

Disclaimers and Important Notes

Participation in the YFA Proposers Day webcast is voluntary and is not required to propose to the anticipated YFA RA. Interested parties to this notice are cautioned that nothing herein obligates the government to issue a solicitation. The Proposers Day does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or abstracts. This announcement is issued solely for information and program planning purposes and is not a Request for Information (RFI). Since this is not an RFI, no submissions against this notice will be accepted by the government. No classified, ITAR controlled, or proprietary information shall be included in submitted materials or shall be presented or discussed at the Proposers Day. DARPA will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred to participate in this Proposers Day. Recording the Proposers Day is not permitted.