IARPA Seeks Proposals for Developing Next-Generation Microelectronics

The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity has issued a broad agency announcement to obtain proposals for early-stage research projects supporting the development of next-generation microelectronics.

IARPA is interested in harnessing the power of new microelectronics to fully implement artificial intelligence, Nextgov reported.

The BAA, which was posted on SAM .gov, outlines two topics of interest.

Under the first topic, IARPA seeks proposals related to hardware, software, algorithm and architecture ecosystem.

Interested parties are encouraged to suggest ideas on how to optimize the analytic performance of the hardware-software ecosystem in specific AI applications. Proposals may also include tools, techniques or designs to improve the reliability and integrity of microelectronics hardware and/or hardware-software systems.

The second topic focuses on new science and materials processing.

Of particular interest to IARPA officials are approaches derived from life or social sciences that could yield improved performance and reduced cost in microelectronics that run AI applications. The agency is also looking for cost-saving approaches related to the processing of the microelectronics used in AI applications.

IARPA is investing a total of $5 million, which will be distributed across two phases, for approved research projects. Phase A will last for nine months and will focus on demonstrating a prototype proof-of-concept. Phase B, if exercised, will run for 15 months and revolve around a live demonstration.

The research agency plans to issue multiple awards for the research effort.

Interested parties must submit white papers on or before May 17. Final proposals must be submitted no later than June 30.