Grants & Funding

US Department of Defense - Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

Published Date: May 12, 2009

Program Information

Program Name:

N/MEMS S&T Fundamentals

Program URL:

http://www.darpa.mil/mto/solicitations/index.html

Type of Scientists Funded:

Junior Faculty, Administrator, Senior Scientist/Faculty

Program Description:

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.

Public Contact Information

Program Award Term and Application Process

• Award Term Fixed or Variable?    Variable
• Minimum Term     
• Maximum Term     
• Award Renewable?    No
• Does an individual or institution apply to the program?    Institution
• Is there a training component to this grant?   
• Is there an application deadline?    Yes
• Application deadline(s):
  06/01/2009

Program FUNDS

• Stipend Information:
  
  
• Annual stipend type:    Not Applicable
• 
  Research Allowance Information:
  
  
• Annual research allowance type:    Not Applicable
• 
  Indirect Costs (Institutional Funds) Information:
  
  
• Indirect costs type:    Not Applicable
• 
  Other Costs Information:
  
  
• Other Costs type:    Not Applicable

Program Eligibility Requirements

Research Areas:

Nanotechnology, Other (specify): Microelectromechanical Systems, Nanoelectromechanical Systems

Application by invitation or nomination only?

No

Are awards limited to specific groups?

None provided

Must applicants be U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents?

No

U.S. geographic limits?

International geographic limits?

Institutional limits?

Non-research activity allowed for postdoctoral and junior faculty awards?

If yes, specify at least one of the following: percentage time and activities allowed

Program competition information

• Number of Applicants in Most Recent Competition Year:   
• Number of Awards in Most Recent Competition Year:   
• Institutional Award Rates   

  Category	# Applicants	# Awards
  Institutional Awards

• Awardee's subsequent careers/accomplishments tracked after end of term?   
  
• Total dollars awarded in the most recent competition year