DARPA Defense Sciences Office Discover DSO Day (D3)

August 1, 2024

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) will host a Discover DSO Day (D3) on October 3-4, 2024, in Boston, MA.  DARPA DSO hosted a D3 event in February of this year in San Franscisco, where it was reported that a second D3 would be held in the fall on the east coast.  Like the previous D3, this D3 event is in-person only and will provide an overview of DARPA, an opportunity to engage with DSO program managers, and offer useful information to potential proposers. 

Often referred to as “DARPA’s DARPA,” DSO’s mission is to foster innovation and scientific discovery that will address and solve current and future national security challenges.  While DSO encourages any fundamental research concept or idea that addresses its mission, it frames its office around six thrust areas:

  • Cognition, Computation, and Processing;
  • Sensing & Measurement;
  • Enabling Operations;
  • Novel Materials and Structures;
  • Emerging Threats; and
  • Collective Intelligence.

The D3 event will provide insight into these six thrusts through panel discussions.  The event will give a general overview of DARPA, DSO, and contracting with DOD.  It is a unique opportunity for unfamiliar faculty to learn how best to work with DARPA and DSO, as well as connect with other researchers. 

Due Dates: Registration is now open and will close on September 18, 2024, at 5:00 PM ET or when capacity is reached.  Registrants must pay a $125 fee to participate in Day One and a $75 fee to participate in Day Two.  Advanced registration is required for attendance and is restricted to 250 participants. The registration website can be found here.  A draft agenda can be found in the full announcement linked below. 

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