Scientists, engineers, and technologists from academia, government, and commercial organizations of all sizes are invited to engage with DARPA on next-generation tech for national security
Jul 31, 2024
DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is hosting an in-person Discover DSO Day (D3) on Oct. 3-4, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts. The goals of the two-day gathering are to:
- Highlight DSO science and technology focus areas for future exploration and potential DARPA investment
- Facilitate conversations between DARPA DSO program managers and members of the broader science and technology ecosystem
- Provide insights and tips on how to work with DARPA DSO
DSO’s mission to is to identify and pursue high-impact research initiatives across a broad spectrum of science and engineering disciplines for the Department of Defense. DSO focuses on nascent and emergent technologies that may result in breakthrough capabilities for U.S. national security applications and seeks to demonstrate the potential of these technologies through targeted development efforts.
“Building on our successful Discover DSO Day event held in San Francisco earlier this year, we’re hosting this event in Boston to engage the East Coast scientific community,” said DSO Director Dr. Jinendra Ranka. “In addition to keynote speakers and expert panel discussions on future tech trends, we’re providing more opportunity for DSO program managers to share their visions for potential future program ideas and for participants to speak directly with program managers.”
Program Manager Vision Overviews
Before the start of each panel session, two or three DSO program managers will describe their ideas for propelling tech forward in the following key areas:
- Quantum Science
- Sensing and measurement
- High-energy physics
- Novel materials and structures
- Cognition, computation, and processing
- Enabling technologies for defense operations
These vision overviews will set the stage for expert panel session and audience interaction.
Discussion Opportunities with Program Managers and DARPA Innovation Fellows
Over lunch the first day, DARPA Innovation Fellows will hold a poster session describing technology explorations they’re working on and encourage attendees to submit abstracts for open Advanced Research Concept topics.
Attendees can interact directly with DARPA program managers during a networking session and reception at the end of the first day. Participants may also engage with program managers on the second day at a poster session highlighting the program managers’ vision presentations.
Continued Focus on Ethical, Legal, and Societal Implications (ELSI) of Emerging Technologies
“DSO’s mission is to push the limits of technology in new and exciting ways for national security,” said DSO Deputy Director Dr. Bart Russell. “As we did at our event in San Francisco, we’re continuing to emphasize at this event our commitment to considering — from the outset of any new tech program — the ELSI implications of our research. We’ve seen that when we address and integrate ELSI as a key element of technology development, we get better technology outcomes for the Defense Department and society at large.”
Expanded Session on Working with DARPA
New to D3 in Boston will be a session on the first day highlighting DARPAConnect, DARPA’s one-stop, comprehensive resource for doing business with DARPA – even for those who have never worked with DARPA. Participants will also hear the latest on DARPA’s Young Faculty Award (YFA) program that provides funding opportunities for early-career researchers at universities and nonprofit institutions.
A registration website with full agenda and logistical details is available at https://events.sa-meetings.com/website/75893/. Registration will end September 18, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET, or when capacity is reached, whichever comes first. A special notice about D3 in Boston is available on SAM.gov.