During the Fall of 2014, University of Arizona provided a series of workshops for faculty on obtaining DARPA funding. Slides from the workshops are available through links below. Please contact Research Development Services for additional information on obtaining DARPA funding.
What is DARPA?
Established in 1958 as a response to the Soviet Union’s Sputnik satellite launch, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is a federal research and development agency focused on efforts that will both create and prevent strategic surprise in the interests of national security. With a roughly $2.8B budget in FY14, DARPA invests in revolutionary (i.e., high risk, high reward) ideas that can lead to breakthrough technologies and next generation capabilities. DARPA funding and innovation can be found throughout the modern technological world, from the computer mouse to satellite Global Positioning Systems, Unix and the relational database to night vision goggles and stealth technology—even the Siri voice recognition system.
Seeking DARPA Funding
In 2014, Research, Discovery & Innovation contracted with Zeteo Tech LLC to provide UA faculty assistance with pursuing defense and security research funding. Comprised chiefly of former DARPA program managers, Zeteo personnel possess expertise that aligns with the University of Arizona Never Settle strategic research areas. Zeteo conducted a series of on-campus workshops aimed at providing attendees and understanding of the different missions and objectives of each DARPA Office, as well as various programs and funding mechanisms within each.
- DARPA 101: What is its mission? What research does it fund? Workshop held: September 24, 2014. Slides are available via the UA Enterprise Box system. To access this file you will need to login with your University of Arizona Box Account. If you do not have a Box account, you can register for free at https://account.arizona.edu. If you already have a free Box account, you can upgrade to the UA Enterprise system by contacting the 24/7 IT Support Center at 520-626-TECH (8324).
- The Successful DARPA Pitch: Discover the most effective ways to structure and communicate proposals . Workshop held:October 23, 2014. Slides are available via the UA Enterprise Box system. To access this file you will need to login with your University of Arizona Box Account. If you do not have a Box account, you can register for free at https://account.arizona.edu. If you already have a free Box account, you can upgrade to the UA Enterprise system by contacting the 24/7 IT Support Center at 520-626-TECH (8324).
- Success, then More Success: Learn from DARPA insiders how to run a research project that delivers results while improving chances of future funding. Workshop held: Monday, Nov. 17, 2014. Slides are available via the UA Enterprise Box system. To access this file you will need to login with your University of Arizona Box Account. If you do not have a Box account, you can register for free at https://account.arizona.edu. If you already have a free Box account, you can upgrade to the UA Enterprise system by contacting the 24/7 IT Support Center at 520-626-TECH (8324)..
About Workshop Presenter: Tom McCreery
Mr. Tom McCreery, Zeteo’s Vice President of Innovation. Prior to joining Zeteo Tech, Mr. McCreery was the innovation technology lead for the Advanced Missile Systems product line of Raytheon Missile Systems, where he was responsible for creating and leading technology programs ranging from novel structural materials to the use of directed energy to enhance the destruction of anthrax spores. Mr. McCreery served as a program manager in the Special Projects Office and Strategic Technology Office of DARPA from 2002 to 2007, creating and managing programs in the areas of Radiation Decontamination and Detection, Biological Sensors, Battlefield Medicine, and Advanced Warheads. Mr. McCreery was awarded a DARPA program award for the HISSS program and the Office of Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. Prior to his time at DARPA Mr. McCreery was the lead biologist for ImaRx Pharmaceutical Corp in Tucson, Arizona. where he was involved in pharmaceutical development from benchtop formulation to human trials.