DARPA Grant: Nano/Microelectromechanical Systems (N/MEMS) Science & Technology Fundamentals

Original Synopsis below.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative fundamental research proposals in the area of nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices and arrays enabled by emerging and maturing nano/micro technologies. The contemplated program on Nanoelectromechanical /Microelectromechanical Science & Technology Fundamentals (N/MEMS S&T Fundamentals) is seeking research by means of highly interactive, multi-performer (university/nonprofit/industry/other) focus centers dedicated to advancing a number of core technologies considered essential to the continuing advancement of NEMS and MEMS technology and its transition into applications important to the Department of Defense (DoD). Proposed research to be conducted by university and industrial research partners, with possible additional participation by Government laboratories (to the extent such Government organizations can prove their eligibility), should be focused on cross-cutting fundamental issues having pervasive impact to the technical community and capable of enabling revolutionary advances in micro/nano technology science, devices, or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice. DARPA intends to fund innovative research efforts for periods of up to three years in the form of scientific focus centers involving multiple and highly interactive university, nonprofit, industry, and Government laboratory teams. Awards will be made only to teams led by an academic institution or a non-profit organization. A significant level of cost-sharing by industry partners will be required. DARPA intends to fund these centers at funding ratios (DARPA : Industry) of 1:1 in each year of the program. In-kind cost sharing may be included in the proposed efforts, but only actual cash funding commitments will count toward required matching. In addition to required cost-sharing by industry organizations, cost-sharing contributions by academic institutions will be permitted and matched by DARPA at the same 1:1 ratio, but such university contributions will be limited to no more than 25% of the total cost-sharing amount for any funded center. University cost-sharing in the form of faculty salaries, however, is explicitly excluded.All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a full proposal to this RA, should be directed to DARPA-RA-09-42@darpa.mil.

DARPA intends to fund innovative research efforts for periods of up to three years in the form of scientific focus centers involving multiple and highly interactive university, nonprofit, industry, and Government laboratory teams. Awards will be made only to teams led by an academic institution or a non-profit organization. A significant level of cost-sharing by industry partners will be required. DARPA intends to fund these centers at funding ratios (DARPA : Industry) of 1:1 in each year of the program. In-kind cost sharing may be included in the proposed efforts, but only actual cash funding commitments will count toward required matching. In addition to required cost-sharing by industry organizations, cost-sharing contributions by academic institutions will be permitted and matched by DARPA at the same 1:1 ratio, but such university contributions will be limited to no more than 25% of the total cost-sharing amount for any funded center. University cost-sharing in the form of faculty salaries, however, is explicitly excluded.

All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a full proposal to this RA, should be directed to DARPA-RA-09-42@darpa.mil.