Description
The MXO Pitch Day 2026 is an opportunity for non-traditional defense contractors and small businesses to engage with DARPA and potentially receive funding for scientific discovery solutions. The goals of the Pitch Day are to fund short-term efforts that advance scientific understanding, generate new concepts or methods, and reduce technical uncertainty. The Pitch Day will be hosted on November 2, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois, and will include a poster showcase on November 3, 2026.
Some key aspects of this opportunity include:
• Eligibility is restricted to non-traditional defense contractors and small businesses that have not previously received a DARPA-funded award as prime performers.
• Subcontractors and consultants are not allowed.
• The maximum award size will be $500,000 total costs.
• Indirect costs are not explicitly addressed in the document.
• The Pitch Day will focus on three thrust areas: Foundations Beyond Components, Acoustic Devices, and Bio-Inspired Systems.