Programs and Initiatives

The platforms powering national security innovation.

ARI builds programs and partnerships that power economic growth and strengthen national security. We combine the depth of the academic with the urgency of the entrepreneur to provide fast, efficient, and quantifiable value to the United States of America.

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Accelerating technology transition across government.

The Rapid Acquisition Model (RAM) is moving technology from initial engagement to awardable outcomes. It powers how government agencies identify, evaluate, and acquire emerging capabilities — reducing friction and accelerating timelines across the lifecycle.

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Linking America’s Heartland to the Nation

Linking academia, industry, and government to solve mission-driven challenges and accelerate technology transition.

Midwest Defense Innovation Summit logoMidwest Defense Innovation SummitMDIS convenes leaders from government, industry, and academia to accelerate defense innovation, strengthen partnerships, and deliver mission-ready capabilities from the Midwest to the warfighter.Learn more → Indiana Research Consortium logoIndiana Research ConsortiumARI convenes researchers from Purdue, Indiana University, and Notre Dame into cross-university teams to solve mission-driven challenges for NSWC Crane and translate top ideas into fundable solutions.Learn more →

Driving economic growth across the Midwest

Scaling advanced industries, workforce development, and innovation ecosystems across the state.

Heartland BioWorks logoHeartland BioWorksBuilding the nation’s biomanufacturing workforce and ecosystem for national security.Learn more → Silicon Crossroads logoSilicon CrossroadsStrengthening the microelectronics industrial base for national resilience.Learn more → Midwest UAS Test Site logoMidwest UAS Test SiteAdvancing unmanned aerial systems through testing, evaluation, and the regional innovation pipeline.Learn more →

Bridging innovation for national security

Creating clear pathways for innovators to access federal partners, funding, and mission-driven opportunities.

DARPAConnect logoDARPAConnectConnecting innovators to DARPA opportunities and national challenges.Learn more → Defense Innovation OnRamp Hubs logoDefense Innovation OnRamp HubsDelivering cutting-edge technology through the CDAO ecosystem.Learn more → SciTechCONNECT logoSciTechCONNECTEmpowering innovators with the resources to turn groundbreaking ideas into real-world solutions.Learn more →

Transforming acquisition to get technology to the warfighter

Turning proven solutions into deployed capabilities at the speed the mission demands.

Tradewinds logoTradewindsStreamlining how the defense enterprise discovers and procures AI and digital solutions.Learn more → DARPA ERIS logoDARPA ERISEngaging the research community with DARPA’s mission and opportunities.Learn more → Platform One Marketplace logoPlatform One MarketplaceModern software and acquisition pathways for adopting capability at speed.Learn more → DevX AutonomyRapidly experimenting with autonomy and robotics to move capability from prototype to the field.Learn more → IARPAIARPA Solutions MarketplaceConnecting innovators to Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity research programs and opportunities.Learn more →

Have a challenge that needs the right operating model?

ARI structures the pathway, aligns the right stakeholders, and moves from intent to execution.

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