11 INSIGHT | Focus On of all economic sectors; provide transformative solutions to improve the management, clean-up, and disposal of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel; and improve the resilience, reliability, and security of infrastructure to produce, deliver, and store energy. Congress directed ARPA-E to “establish and monitor project milestones, initiate research projects quickly, and just as quickly terminate or restructure projects if such milestones are not achieved.” Accordingly, ARPA-E has substantial involvement in the management and direction of every project. ARPA-E funds a wide range of individual technology projects. Typically, these projects are organized into focused technology programs that revolve around a common technical area. All ARPA-E programs and projects are created through a process of rigorous debate over the technical and scientific merits and challenges of potential research areas. ARPA-E Program Directors are constantly exploring potential topics for future program areas. ARPA-E also issues periodic open funding solicitations for a broader range of projects that do not fall into a single technical area to address the full range of energy-related technologies, as well as targeted funding solicitations aimed at supporting America’s small business innovators. ARPA-E also funds projects on a rolling basis through "Exploratory Topic" funding opportunities that are meant to inform potential new program areas for the future. ARPA-E Program Directors are the driving force behind ARPAE’s mission and are empowered to identify, define, and recommend the most impactful energy R&D to be funded by the agency. They are recognized as thought leaders in their respective fields and are responsible for program creation, design, implementation, and management. Program Directors typically serve 3–4-year terms which enable ARPA-E to keep a steady influx of new talent and fresh ideas. Funding opportunities that are meant to inform potential new program areas for the future EXPLORATORY TOPIC FUNDING
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