DARPAConnect

DARPA Lift Challenge: Redefining What Drones Can Do

DARPA Lift Challenge: Redefining What Drones Can Do DARPA is calling on innovators to help revolutionize vertical lift. The DARPA Lift Challenge offers $6.5 million in prizes to teams that can design drones capable of carrying payloads more than four times their own weight -- a breakthrough that could transform how drones are used for both military and civilian missions. From battlefield logistics to disaster response, this Challenge taps into the American spirit of innovation -- encouraging students, independent inventors, and industry to push the limits of aerodynamic design, propulsion, and materials science. Live performance trials are planned for Summer 2026 , with registration opening January 5, 2026 . Learn More

High-efficiency Nitrogen Oxidation (HNO3) Proposers Day

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 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the High-efficiency Nitrogen Oxidation (HNO3) program. The Proposers Day will be held on December 12, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) in Arlington, VA. The event will be webcast for those who would like to participate remotely. Advance registration is required for attending the Proposers Day in person and viewing the webcast. Note that all times listed in this announcement and on the registration website are Eastern Time. The goals of the HNO3 Proposers Day are to: (1) introduce the research community (industry, academia, and government) to the HNO3 program vision and goals; (2) explain the mechanics of a DARPA program and the milestones of this particular effort; and (3) encourage and promote teaming arrangements among potential organizations that have the relevant expertise, facilities, and capabilities for executing a research and development program responsive to the HNO3 program goals.