Manufacturing Experimentation and Outreach Two (MENTOR2) | Apply Online

MENTOR2 (DARPA BAA 14-12) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the MENTOR2 opportunity?

Manufacturing Experimentation and Outreach Two (MENTOR2) is a DARPA Defense Sciences Office research solicitation (Funding Opportunity Number: DARPA BAA 14 12) focused on developing new teaching tools, curricula, and instructional materials for engineering education. Its goal is to improve how learners gain practical, real-world engineering skills rather than purely theoretical knowledge.

What is the primary focus area of MENTOR2?

The technical emphasis is on electromechanical design and manufacturing. The program is aimed at strengthening hands-on competence in designing, building, troubleshooting, and modifying hardware and integrated systems.

What kinds of educational products or deliverables does MENTOR2 emphasize?

MENTOR2 emphasizes educational innovation through teaching tools, curricula, and instructional materials. The solicitation highlights materials that help students build practical capability and intuition for electromechanical systems, including how systems function, how they fail, and how to restore or alter functionality using engineering judgment and manufacturing know-how.

Who is the intended learner audience for MENTOR2-developed materials?

The opportunity targets both secondary education (high school-level) and post-secondary education (college-level and related) settings.

What does the solicitation mean by "austere environments"?

In this context, "austere environments" refers to challenging conditions where tools, parts, infrastructure, expert support, and time may be limited. The instructional objective is to prepare learners to diagnose failures, repair equipment, and adapt systems quickly under constraints.

What skills is MENTOR2 trying to build in learners?

The program is oriented toward building practical engineering skills such as designing and building electromechanical systems, troubleshooting and diagnosing failures, performing field repair, iterating rapidly, and modifying systems to meet new requirements. The emphasis is on resilient operation and the ability to restore or adapt advanced systems in difficult conditions.

Is MENTOR2 a research grant, an education grant, or both?

Based on the listing, MENTOR2 is a DARPA research solicitation in the category of Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The research focus is specifically on educational innovation and instructional approaches that measurably improve hands-on engineering competence.

What agency and office are associated with this opportunity?

This opportunity is associated with DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), specifically the Defense Sciences Office, as described in the provided information.

What is the CFDA number for MENTOR2?

The CFDA number associated with MENTOR2 is 12.910 (Research and Technology Development).

What types of award instruments could DARPA use for MENTOR2?

The listing indicates DARPA may use multiple award instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, procurement contracts, or other arrangements. The instrument used could vary depending on the nature of the proposed work and DARPA's needs.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the provided listing. This typically means applicants are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of award, though proposals would still be expected to include realistic budgets aligned with the work.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the competition is generally open to a wide range of applicant organizations, subject to any constraints described in the full BAA text. The listing suggests that potential applicants could include universities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit companies, federally funded research and development centers, and other qualified entities.

Are collaborative or team proposals implied to be allowed?

The listing notes that unrestricted eligibility typically allows participation by many organization types and mentions the possibility of teams and collaborations that combine educational expertise with engineering, manufacturing, and instructional technology capabilities. Any specific teaming requirements or limitations would be confirmed in the full BAA.

What is the funding opportunity number for this solicitation?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DARPA BAA 14 12.

When was MENTOR2 posted, and what were the key dates?

The listing states the opportunity was posted on December 5, 2013. The original and current closing date listed is January 21, 2014. The archive date is March 21, 2014.

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The dates provided indicate this specific listing is historical and is no longer open because the closing date has passed and the opportunity has been archived.

Where was the full announcement made available?

The listing notes that the full announcement was available through FedBizOpps via the DARPA BAA 14 12 link.

What if an applicant could not access the full announcement electronically?

The listing states that those unable to access it electronically could contact the DARPA BAA Coordinator for assistance.

What is the overarching goal of MENTOR2?

The overarching goal is educational innovation that meaningfully strengthens hands-on competence in electromechanical design and manufacturing, especially skills that translate into real-world capability: diagnosing problems, repairing systems, and modifying hardware and integrated systems under constraints.

What distinguishes MENTOR2 from purely theoretical engineering education efforts?

MENTOR2 is explicitly oriented toward practical, transferable skills and deep intuition about real electromechanical systems. The emphasis is on building, troubleshooting, repairing, and adapting hardware and integrated systems, rather than focusing only on theoretical knowledge.

What program themes are highlighted in the listing?

Key themes include hands-on engineering competence, instructional innovation in electromechanical design/manufacturing, readiness for constrained or austere conditions, field repair and rapid iteration, and resilient operation of advanced high-technology systems.

What should applicants review to confirm specific requirements and constraints?

The listing indicates that additional clarification is provided in the full solicitation (the complete BAA). Applicants would need to review the full BAA text to confirm any specific requirements, limitations, or submission details.