DARPA Lift Challenge
Help transform heavy-lift aviation. Submit your drone design that can carry a payload more than four times its own weight.
The DARPA Lift Challenge invites innovators to compete for $6.5 million in prizes by designing small, unmanned aircraft with exceptional payload-to-weight performance, redefining vertical lift aviation.
| Key information | |
|---|---|
| Sponsoring agency | Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) |
| Start date | 01/05/2026 12:00 AM ET |
| End date | 05/01/2026 11:59 PM ET |
| Challenge type | Technology demonstration and hardware |
| Prizes | Total funds: $6,500,000 |
| Contact | darpaliftchallenge@darpa.mil |
Apply for the DARPA Lift Challenge
These federal prize competitions are conducted pursuant to the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, as amended by the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2017. For complete rules, eligibility requirements, and terms and conditions, please visit the hosting agency's competition page.
LAST UPDATED: March 11, 2026
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