Research NewsletterIssue: ORN-2025-15

Introducing USPTO Hour, a new webinar series

Join a new webinar series, USPTO Hour, where they will share USPTO priorities, developments, and other important information for innovators to know. 

During our first webinar, happening Wednesday, April 16, from noon to 1 p.m. ET, USPTO Patents leaders will discuss Patents priorities for 2025, including fraud and threat mitigation in patents. Valencia Martin Wallace, Acting Commissioner for Patents, along with other members of the Patents leadership team, will present.

Register here. A live Q&A will follow their presentation. Email your questions in advance to USPTOHour@uspto.gov.

______________________

U.S. Army xTech Program

The U.S. Army xTech Program is now accepting concept white paper submissions for the xTechOverwatch competition and awarding up to $1 million in cash prizes and up to $40 million in Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract awards.  

The xTechOverwatch competition is seeking innovative autonomous systems capable of conducting overwatch and terrain-shaping tasks by leveraging advanced AI, robotics, secure networking, and real-time data processing. The key technical areas of interest and their corresponding technologies, located in the RFI include: 

• Autonomous Unmanned Systems (UAVs, UGVs, Stationary Sensors) 
• Sensor Fusion, Data Integration, and AI-Driven Target Recognition & Classification 
• Secure Communications and Networking 
• Human-Machine Interface (HMI) for Effective Decision-Making 
• Edge Computing for Onboard Processing 
• Resilient Robotics for Adaptive Terrain Navigation 
• Automated Self-Recovery Mechanisms 
• Collaborative/Mission-Focused Autonomy 
• UGV and UAS Payloads 
• Modular & Open Architecture 

In addition to cash prizes and the opportunity to submit an Army SBIR proposal, the competition provides valuable benefits, including technical feedback from Department of Defense (DoD) experts. xTechOverwatch also connects companies with Army stakeholders and addresses real-world military needs. Participants gain direct access to key decision-makers, networking opportunities, and critical insights that can accelerate technology development and transition, driving innovation to support mission success. 

Finalists of the competition will have the opportunity to participate in an optional collider event in August 2025, designed to foster networking, exchange expertise, and explore strategic collaborations with other finalists and industry partners beyond the competition. The finals are tentatively scheduled to take place at the Bush Combat Development Center (BCDC) in Bryan, TX, in conjunction with the HMI Summit, between October 27-29, 2025. 

Concept white paper submissions must be received by 5:00 PM ET on May 21, 2025.  

If you are interested in learning more about xTechOverwatch competition and connecting directly with the competition topic authors, please join us for a live Informational Webinar on April 9, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET by registering here: xTechOverwatch Informational Session. 

NSF: Responsible Design, Development, and Deployment of Technologies (ReDDDoT)

NIH: Investigator Gateway Awards for Collaborative T1D Research (R03)

Department of Defense/US Army/DARPA/ONR: FY 25 DOD HBCU/MI Equipment/Instrumentation; 2026 Department of Defense Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)

Department of Energy: 2025 Exploratory Research for Extreme-Scale Science

NASA: University Leadership Initiative 2 (ULI2); Several Pending ROSES 2025 RFPs

National Endowment of Humanities: Humanities Initiatives

Ending data silos: Inside the new executive order to fight waste, fraud and abuse: On March 20, 2025, President Trump issued a sweeping Executive Order (EO) aimed at curbing waste, fraud and abuse across the federal government. At the heart of this effort is the dismantling of a long-standing obstacle to transparency and accountability: information silos. These silos hinder the timely sharing and analysis of data, making it difficult for agencies to detect financial mismanagement and coordinate effective responses. For public sector leaders, understanding the scope and implications of this EO is essential to improving transparency, inter-agency collaboration and operational efficiency.

A New Mandate for Data Accessibility, Interoperability, and Collaboration

The EO issues a clear directive – federal agencies must improve data access and break down barriers to collaboration. Under the EO, agencies are now required to ensure that authorized federal officials have comprehensive, real-time access to all unclassified records, data, software, and IT systems under their control. Notably, the EO applies to both intra- and inter-agency data sharing. More information is posted on the NextGov website.

_______________________________

Blackburn introduces 3 bills focused on quantum tech investment: On Tuesday, Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., introduced three bills all focused on increasing federal participation in quantum information sciences and technology, from greater investment from the Department of Defense to establishing a near-term sandbox for the most commercially-viable quantum systems.  The three bills are all bipartisan, with support from a different Democratic lawmaker on each bill. They come as the landmark National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, which would set federal funding for research and development in the quantum technology field, has yet to be reintroduced. 

“These bills would provide a strategic roadmap for quantum development, promote continued innovation, and supercharge the Defense Department’s approach to quantum technology to advance our national security,” Blackburn said in a press release. “I look forward to working with the Commerce Committee to pass these bills and reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative.”

Of the three bills, the Defense Quantum Acceleration Act would have DOD increase its involvement in new research in the quantum field through the development of a mandatory strategic plan focused on the “development, assessment, procurement, and implementation” of quantum information technologies within the agency. More information is posted on the NextGov website.

_______________________________

DARPA begins scaling a quantum computer with 15 companies: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency unveiled the first set of tech companies selected to participate in its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative as the U.S. government continues to investigate which scientific path will bring a fault-tolerant quantum computer to life. Announced on April 3, 15 companies focused on quantum computing will work with DARPA researchers to scale their technology with one common goal: creating a utility scale quantum computer. An additional three companies are still in contract negotiations. More information is posted on the NextGov website.