DARPA Lift Challenge 2026
Organized by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
The DARPA Lift Challenge is a national competition to reinvent vertical and heavy-lift aviation.
- Dates
- Aug 2-9, 2026
- Location
- Dayton, OH
- Deadline
- -
- Attendees
- 2,000
- Vendors
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About this conference
The DARPA Lift Challenge is a national competition to reinvent vertical and heavy-lift aviation. It aims to shatter the heavy-lift bottleneck by seeking novel drone designs capable of carrying payloads more than four times their weight. The competition serves as a catalyst for long-term growth and innovation across the American drone industry, advancing vertical lift technologies with far-reaching benefits for military missions and civilian needs. Teams representing established companies, startups, universities, and garage-innovators will compete for $6.5 million in prizes. The final four days are open to the public.
Sponsorship options
DARPA will not provide funding or reimburse competitors any costs incurred. However, a Contributor Portal is established to help competitors connect with businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in providing voluntary support. Such support may include financial contributions, partnerships, or in-kind resources.
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