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DARPA is funding innovative research to enable compact cold-atom devices and environmentally decoupled ultra-high-Q MEMS and photonics devices through microscale ultra-high-vacuum systems.
⚑ Federal contract solicitation · DARPA procurement-style competition; applicant restrictions may apply in the full solicitation · Topic is tightly focused on microscale ultra-high-vacuum systems for cold atoms, MEMS, and photonics
This is a materials/engineering DARPA program on cold-atom, MEMS, and photonics hardware, with no meaningful social-science, risk-perception, warning, energy-siting, or policy-evaluation component. It is outside this team’s PI-level research lines and would not plausibly be pursued by any roster member as lead.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-07-22
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | peripheral portfolio topic: national_security_defense; social/behavioral work is none; funds applied research; capped at 45 (limited social-science role) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals that enable compact cold-atom devices and environmentally-decoupled ultra-high Q microelectromechanical (MEMS) and photonics devices through microscale ultra-high-vacuum systems (µUHV).
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Solicitation. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) / DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY.
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Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Department of Defense (BAA-style) conventions SEE A DOD EXAMPLE →
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