The sixth prize challenge in our Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) competition series!
The First Responder UAS Wireless Data Gatherer Challenge (UAS 6.0) seeks innovators with applicable expertise across and beyond the UAS ecosystem. For public safety and the greater good, contribute invaluable knowledge and ingenuity in artificial intelligence (AI), radio communications and mapping, Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, and more.
Challenge results will support the public safety community and its partners to improve real-time situational awareness and save lives while operating in potentially dangerous radio-complex outdoor environments without fixed communications infrastructure or satellite communications. You can make a difference!
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Stage 1
Open to All Eligible Contestants
Call for Papers
Components
Description of the applied research in related fields that have the potential to improve the described use case, including characterization of associated risks.
Stage 2
Open to All Eligible Contestants
Measurement of Capabilities
Whole System
Measurement of relevant capabilities through self-administered, video recorded, communally attested tests.
Stage 3
Up to 10 Contestants Selected from Stage 2
Live In-Person Event
Scenario Testing
UAS specification and safety verification;
live measurement of UAS solution in application scenarios.
Awards and Funding
Total Challenge Award = $730,000
Stage
Call for Papers
Components
Award Name
Components Paper Awards
Number of Awards
Up to 10
Award Value
$15,000 (each), up to $150,000 total
Measurement of Capabilities
Whole System
Mid-Stage Progress Review
Up to 20
$2,000 (each), up to $40,000 total
Whole System Awards
Up to 10
$20,000 (each), up to $200,000 total
$5,000 (each) in travel prize to attend Stage 3, up to $50,000 total
Best-in-Class Awards
Up to 3
$5,000 (each), up to $15,000 total
Live In-Person Event
Scenario Testing
1st Place
1
$100,000
2nd Place
1
$75,000
3rd Place
1
$50,000
Best-in-Class Awards
Up to 5
$10,000 (each), up to $50,000 total
NOTE: This only describes cash prize awards. NIST reserves the right to decline to make awards or make fewer awards than anticipated. Throughout the challenge, any prize funds available in one stage but not awarded to any contestants during that stage may be moved forward and awarded in subsequent stages. If needed, prior to the start of the subsequent stage, a rules modification will occur to indicate the new prize amounts. NIST also reserves the right to extend Stage 3 invitations to additional Stage 2 contestants beyond the 10 Stage 2 winners. Such additional Stage 3 invitations will not include cash awards.
Summary of Important Dates
May 28, 2024
Challenge open for Stage 1 submissions through the website; begin Stage 1.
June 11, 2024
Stage 1 Webinar : Learn about NIST PSCR’s UAS 6.0 Competition
July 26, 2024
Stage 1 submission period ends.
August 19, 2024
Stage 1 winners announced. Begin Stage 2; teams may begin building solutions.
August 21, 2024
Stage 2 Kickoff Webinar : Whole System Objectives for UAS Survey & Sensing Technologies
September 6, 2024
Stage 2 submission period opens; peer review and evaluation via leaderboard begins.
November 18, 2024
Mid-Stage Verification Deadline- Participants must submit materials by this date to receive feedback before the Mid-Stage Progress Review.
December 2, 2024
Mid-stage progress review submission period ends (optional).
December 2-6, 2024
Portal Pause for Mid-stage Review.
December 13, 2024
Mid-stage progress review winners announced.
December 27, 2024
Final Verification Deadline- Participants must submit materials by this date to receive feedback before the Final Submission deadline.
January 10, 2025
Stage 2 submission period ends.
January 31, 2025
Stage 2 winners announced; begin Stage 3.
April 7 – 11, 2025
Stage 3 is a live, in-person competition for scored capability demonstrations through scenario testing.
April 30, 2025
Stage 3 winners announced.
NOTE: NIST reserves the right to revise the dates at any time
