logo
Defense Innovation Unit Awards Applied Research Institute Cooperative Agreement to Administer Defense Innovation OnRamp

Defense Innovation Unit Awards Applied Research Institute Cooperative Agreement to Administer Defense Innovation OnRamp

Business Wire24-07-2025
INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Applied Research Institute (ARI) has announced an award with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to lead and manage a five-year, $600 million-dollar cooperative agreement designed to accelerate national security innovation and deliver emerging technologies to the Department of Defense (DoD).
The first effort under this agreement will be the administration of the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hubs, which integrates physical locations, and expert support for commercial and dual use technologies into the DoD ecosystem in line with the DIU's strategy. These OnRamp Hubs are focused on enabling more accessible pathways for non-traditional and emerging partners to contribute to national security missions providing localized guidance on mission needs, prototyping, and DoD engagement through regional hubs in Arizona, Hawaii, Kansas, Ohio, Washington and soon to be added locations in Kentucky, Minnesota, and Montana.
With deep expertise in guiding and fast-tracking critical technology acquisition, the Applied Research Institute will administer this network of physical hubs while administering a variety of DIU projects focused on lowering the barriers of entry for commercial and dual-use technology into the Department of Defense. These projects will include efforts to incubate and accelerate emerging companies, broaden the commercialization efforts with universities, and support DIU's efforts to engage with the national security innovation base.
Applied Research Institute EVP of Finance and Operations, Leslie Wolfe, emphasized that 'supporting DIU's mission is not just business; it is a responsibility ARI takes seriously, turning strategic needs into operational realities.'
'ARI is honored to support DIU's vision and leadership in accelerating defense innovation,' said David Roberts, CEO of the Applied Research Institute. 'This role represents a significant validation of our team's commitment to advancing critical American security interests.'
'In today's global race for technological leadership, DIU innovates with urgency and ARI delivers with speed and precision," said Senator Todd Young (R-IN). 'Through Indiana's access to manufacturing, high-tech talent, and decision makers, this partnership is accelerating the development and deployment of next-generation defense technologies, strengthening our national security, and reinforcing America's innovation advantage."
'This announcement moves the needle where it counts,' said Senator Jim Banks (R-IN). 'DIU and ARI are giving us the tools to lead by investing in the people, infrastructure, and innovation necessary to win.'
About Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) was established in August 2015 to accelerate the U.S. military's adoption of commercial technology. Operating under the Department of Defense, DIU reports directly to the Secretary of Defense and plays a key role in advancing innovation across U.S. forces.
About the Applied Research Institute (ARI)
The Applied Research Institute (ARI) is a neutral, third-party nonprofit dedicated to uniting innovators and powering innovation across the technology ecosystem. By collaborating with the Defense Innovation Unit, NSWC Crane, DARPA Connect, the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, and the Department of Defense, ARI advances national security and economic growth through the deployment of cutting-edge technologies that fortify America's economic and defense infrastructure.
Learn more about the Defense Innovation Unit at www.diu.mil and learn more about the Applied Research Institute at www.theari.us.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The Latest: Trump's tariffs go into effect
The Latest: Trump's tariffs go into effect

The Hill

time27 minutes ago

  • The Hill

The Latest: Trump's tariffs go into effect

The U.S. began officially levying higher taxes on imports from dozens of countries Thursday, four months after President Donald Trump first announced plans to impose tariffs on most of the world while seeking new trade agreements across the board. The White House said that starting just after midnight goods from more than 60 countries and the European Union would face tariff rates of 10% or higher. Products from the European Union, Japan and South Korea will be taxed at 15%, while imports from Taiwan, Vietnam and Bangladesh will be taxed at 20%. Trump also expects places such as the EU, Japan and South Korea to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in the U.S. The Trump White House is confident that the onset of his broad tariffs will provide clarity about the path of the world's largest economy. Now that companies understand the direction the U.S. is headed, the administration believes they can ramp up new investments and jump-start hiring in ways that can rebalance the U.S. economy as a manufacturing power. But so far, economic data has shown a U.S. economy that began flagging after Trump's initial rollout of tariffs in April. Here's the latest: Tariffs to affect more than half of Indian exports to the U.S. A top body of Indian exporters said Thursday the latest U.S. tariffs will impact nearly 55% of the country's outbound shipments to America and force exporters to lose their long-standing clients. 'Absorbing this sudden cost escalation is simply not viable. Margins are already thin,' S.C. Ralhan, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, said in a statement. The tariffs effectively impose a cost burden, placing Indian exporters at a competitive disadvantage with countries that have lesser import taxes, he added. In 2024, the U.S. ran a $45.8 billion trade deficit in goods with India, meaning America imported more from India than it exported, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. American consumers and businesses buy pharmaceutical drugs, precious stones, and textiles and apparel from India, among other goods. Modi vows to defend farmers' interests Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India will never compromise the interests of farmers. 'For us, the interests of farmers are a top priority. I know I will have to personally pay a heavy price for it, but I am ready,' Modi said at a conference in what was seen as a message to the U.S. administration, which has been seeking greater access to India's agriculture and dairy sectors. India and the U.S. have had five rounds of negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement, but haven't been able to clinch one so far. On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order to place an additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil. The order would go into effect in 21 days and bring the combined tariffs imposed on India to 50%. Sony profits are up Japanese entertainment and electronics company Sony said Thursday its profit surged 23% in the last quarter from the year before, as damage from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs was less than it had expected. Sony raised its forecast for its profit in the full fiscal year until March 2026 to 970 billion yen ($6.6 billion), from an earlier forecast of 930 billion yen ($6.3 billion). The revised projection is still lower than what it earned in the previous fiscal year at 1 trillion yen. Sony now estimates the impact of the additional U.S. tariffs on its operating income at 70 billion yen ($476 million), much better than the initial estimate of 100 billion yen ($680 million).

The Latest: Trump's tariffs go into effect
The Latest: Trump's tariffs go into effect

San Francisco Chronicle​

time27 minutes ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

The Latest: Trump's tariffs go into effect

The U.S. began officially levying higher taxes on imports from dozens of countries Thursday, four months after President Donald Trump first announced plans to impose tariffs on most of the world while seeking new trade agreements across the board. The White House said that starting just after midnight goods from more than 60 countries and the European Union would face tariff rates of 10% or higher. Products from the European Union, Japan and South Korea will be taxed at 15%, while imports from Taiwan, Vietnam and Bangladesh will be taxed at 20%. Trump also expects places such as the EU, Japan and South Korea to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in the U.S. The Trump White House is confident that the onset of his broad tariffs will provide clarity about the path of the world's largest economy. Now that companies understand the direction the U.S. is headed, the administration believes they can ramp up new investments and jump-start hiring in ways that can rebalance the U.S. economy as a manufacturing power. But so far, economic data has shown a U.S. economy that began flagging after Trump's initial rollout of tariffs in April. A top body of Indian exporters said Thursday the latest U.S. tariffs will impact nearly 55% of the country's outbound shipments to America and force exporters to lose their long-standing clients. 'Absorbing this sudden cost escalation is simply not viable. Margins are already thin,' S.C. Ralhan, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, said in a statement. The tariffs effectively impose a cost burden, placing Indian exporters at a competitive disadvantage with countries that have lesser import taxes, he added. In 2024, the U.S. ran a $45.8 billion trade deficit in goods with India, meaning America imported more from India than it exported, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. American consumers and businesses buy pharmaceutical drugs, precious stones, and textiles and apparel from India, among other goods. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India will never compromise the interests of farmers. 'For us, the interests of farmers are a top priority. I know I will have to personally pay a heavy price for it, but I am ready,' Modi said at a conference in what was seen as a message to the U.S. administration, which has been seeking greater access to India's agriculture and dairy sectors. India and the U.S. have had five rounds of negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement, but haven't been able to clinch one so far. On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order to place an additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil. The order would go into effect in 21 days and bring the combined tariffs imposed on India to 50%. Sony profits are up Japanese entertainment and electronics company Sony said Thursday its profit surged 23% in the last quarter from the year before, as damage from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs was less than it had expected. Sony raised its forecast for its profit in the full fiscal year until March 2026 to 970 billion yen ($6.6 billion), from an earlier forecast of 930 billion yen ($6.3 billion). The revised projection is still lower than what it earned in the previous fiscal year at 1 trillion yen. Sony now estimates the impact of the additional U.S. tariffs on its operating income at 70 billion yen ($476 million), much better than the initial estimate of 100 billion yen ($680 million).

New US tariffs cloud outlook for exporters in Asia and beyond

time28 minutes ago

New US tariffs cloud outlook for exporters in Asia and beyond

BANGKOK -- President Donald Trump's new tariff rates on U.S. imports from dozens of countries took effect Thursday, the latest chapter in the saga of Trump's reshaping of global trade. But many questions remain. Trump has threatened tariffs of up to 200% on imports of pharmaceuticals and has ordered a 100% import tax on computer chips. Most U.S. imports of copper, steel and aluminum are subject to a 50% tariff. There's still no agreement on what tariffs might apply to products shipped from China. India has no deal yet and faces a potential 50% tariff as Trump pressures it to stop buying oil from Russia. Recent data shows uncertainty is clouding the outlook for exporters around the world as a rush to beat the tariffs during a pause for negotiation tapers off. Companies are reporting billions of dollars in higher costs or losses due to the higher import duties. Global financial markets took Thursday's tariff adjustments in stride, with Asian shares and U.S. futures mostly higher. Here's where things stand in what has proven to be a fast-changing policy landscape. The tariffs announced on Aug. 1 apply to 66 countries, Taiwan and the Falkland Islands. They are a revised version of what Trump called " reciprocal tariffs," announced on April 2: import taxes of up to 50% on goods from countries that have a trade surplus with the United States, along with 10% 'baseline'' taxes on almost everyone else. That move triggered sell-offs in financial markets and Trump backtracked to allow time for trade talks. The president has bypassed Congress, which has authority over taxes, by invoking a 1977 law to declare the trade deficit a national emergency. That's being challenged in court, but the revised tariffs still took effect. To keep their access to the huge American market, major trading partners have struck deals with Trump. The United Kingdom agreed to 10% tariffs and the European Union, South Korea and Japan accepted U.S. tariffs of 15%. Those are much higher than the low single-digit rates they paid last year, but down from the 30% Trump had ordered for the EU and the 25% he ordered for Japan. Countries in Africa and Asia are mostly facing lower rates than the ones Trump decreed in April. Thailand, Pakistan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines cut deals with Trump, settling for rates of around 20%. Indonesia views its 19% tariff deal as a leg up against exporters in other countries that will have to pay slightly more, said Fithra Faisal Hastiadi, a spokesperson in the Indonesian president's office. 'We were competing against Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and China ... and they are all subject to higher reciprocal tariffs,' Hastiadi said. 'We believe we will stay competitive.' Trump has yet to announce whether he will extend an Aug. 12 deadline for reaching a trade agreement with China that would forestall earlier threats of tariffs of up to 245%. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the president is deciding about another 90-day delay to allow time to work out details of an agreement setting tariffs on most products at 50%, including extra import duties related to illicit trade in fentanyl. Higher import taxes on small parcels from China have hurt smaller factories and layoffs have accelerated, leaving some 200 million workers reliant on 'flexible work' — the gig economy — for their livelihoods, the government estimates. India also has no broad trade agreement with Trump. On Wednesday, Trump he signed an executive order placing an extra 25% tariff for its purchases of Russian oil, bringing combined U.S. tariffs to 50%. India's Foreign Ministry has stood firm, saying it began importing oil from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, a 'necessity compelled by the global market situation.' Struggling, impoverished Laos and war-torn Myanmar and Syria face 40-41% rates. Trump whacked Brazil with a 50% import tax largely because he's unhappy with its treatment of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. South Africa said the steep 30% rate Trump has ordered on the exporter of precious gems and metals has put 30,000 jobs at risk and left the country scrambling to find new markets outside the United States. Even wealthy Switzerland is under the gun. Swiss officials were visiting Washington this week to try to stave off a whopping 39% tariff on U.S. imports of its chocolate, watches and other products. The rate is over 2 1/2 times the 15% rate on European Union goods exported to the United States. Goods that comply with the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that Trump negotiated during his first term are excluded from the tariffs. Even though U.S. neighbor and ally Canada was hit by a 35% tariff after it defied Trump, a staunch supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, by saying it would recognize a Palestinian state, nearly all of its exports to the U.S. remain duty free. Canada's central bank says 100% of energy exports and 95% of other exports are compliant with the agreement since regional rules mean Canadian and Mexico companies can claim preferential treatment. The slice of Mexican exports not covered by the USMCA is subject to a 25% tariff, down from an earlier rate of 30%, during a 90-day negotiating period that began last week. Surveys of factory managers offer monthly insights into export orders, hiring and other indicators of how businesses are faring. The latest figures in the United States and globally mostly showed conditions deteriorating. In Japan, factory output contracted in July, purchasing activity fell and hiring slowed, according to the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI. But the data were collected before Trump announced a trade deal that cut tariffs on Japanese exports to 15% from 25%. Similar surveys show a deterioration in manufacturing conditions worldwide, as a boost from 'front loading' export orders to beat higher tariffs faded, S&P Global said. Similar measures for service industries have remained stronger, reflecting more domestic business activity. In Asia, that includes a rebound in tourism across the region. Corporate bottom lines are also taking a hit. Honda Motor said Wednesday that it estimates the cost from higher tariffs at about $3 billion. show pain from months of tariff threats.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store