NanoWatt Platforms for Sensing, Analysis, and Computation (NaPSAC)

Background
The Defense Sciences Office (DSO) at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative research proposals in the area of ultralow power in-memory computing architectures for application to scientific modeling, simulation, and analysis. The NanoWatt Platforms for Sensing, Analysis, and Computation (NaPSAC) program aims to develop novel in-memory computing architectures capable of transformative advances in computing accuracy, scalability, and power efficiency.

Grant Details
The NaPSAC program seeks to develop, validate, and benchmark device concepts that can demonstrate in-memory computing performance beyond State-of-the-Art (SoA) in three principal respects: increased computing accuracy, improved scalability, and enhanced parallelism. The program is structured into a 24-month Phase I base period and a 24-month Phase II option. Phase I will focus on the validation of the NaPSAC concept by designing, fabricating, and demonstrating MAC computations in 1D computational arrays.
Phase II will extend the computing core to 2D arrays and implement the solution of proposer-defined computation, modeling, or simulation tasks.

Eligibility Requirements
The program is open to eligible applicants including educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit organizations. The Government reserves the right to select for negotiation all or none of the proposals received in response to this solicitation. Proposals identified for negotiation may result in a procurement contract, cooperative agreement, or Other Transaction (OT), depending upon the nature of the work proposed.

Period of Performance
The NaPSAC program is a 48-month program broken into two phases – a 24-month Phase I base period and a 24-month Phase II option.

Grant Value
DARPA anticipates multiple awards with the level of funding for individual awards depending on the quality of proposals received and the availability of funds.