Atomically Precise Molecules (APM) Proposers Day

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is hosting a hybrid Proposers Day for the Atomically Precise Molecules (APM) program on September 30, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET at Systems Planning and Analysis in Arlington, Virginia, with webcast participation available; registration deadline is September 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. DARPA anticipates releasing the APM Program Solicitation prior to the Proposers Day at sam.gov. The event targets the science and technology community across industry, academia, and government to introduce the APM program vision, facilitate teaming and collaboration among researchers with relevant capabilities, and collect questions for a posted Q&A document. Proposer teams must collectively possess expertise in polymer synthesis, computational chemistry, multiscale material simulation, self-assembly, polymer characterization, synthesis scaling, material integration into microfabrication processes, and electro-optical material development, with non-linear optical device design expertise preferred. The APM program is structured as a two-phase initiative: Phase 1 is 12 months focused on developing new chemistries, and Phase 2 is 24 months focused on synthesizing revolutionary materials and incorporating them into functional devices. The Proposers Day includes overview presentations, lightning round sessions (five minutes per organization), poster sessions, networking time, and optional one-on-one breakout sessions with the APM Program Manager from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. All non-U.S. citizen registrants must submit either a DARPA Form 60 or an official Foreign Visit Request by September 15, 2026. Attendance is voluntary and not required for subsequent solicitations. Proposers Day materials and recording will be posted at darpa.mil/research/programs/APM.