DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) is a US government research agency based in Arlington that funds breakthrough technologies with national defense relevance. It operates through program-based, non-dilutive funding and has historically played a major role in shaping early-stage frontier technology sectors.

In neurotechnology, DARPA has supported some of the world’s most important programs in non-surgical neural interfaces, brain-system communication, and spinal repair. These initiatives have created critical technical infrastructure and de-risked many concepts long before venture investors were willing to engage.

Its primary focus is the United States, though funded programs may involve international collaboration. DARPA is especially important for neurotechnology because it supports very early, high-risk work that can later transition into clinical and commercial development.