Real-time 3D camera system using Extended Depth from Defocus and Microfluidic Lens | CRANBAA18 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for CRANBAA18 004

This government grant opportunity, titled "Real-time 3D camera system using Extended Depth from Defocus and Microfluidic Lens," was issued by the Department of Defense through Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane. It falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category and was released as a discretionary funding opportunity. The mechanism of support is a cooperative agreement, which typically means the government expects to have substantial involvement during the project, such as collaboration on technical direction, milestones, testing, or transition planning rather than simply providing funds with minimal interaction.

The technical focus is on miniaturizing 3D imaging systems by leaning heavily on computational approaches rather than large or complex sensor hardware. Specifically, NSWC Crane is looking to fund research that uses computer vision methods to estimate depth from defocus, meaning the system would infer scene depth based on how out-of-focus different parts of an image appear. The opportunity also emphasizes extended depth-from-defocus concepts and pairing that approach with a microfluidic lens, a type of tunable lens technology that can change its optical properties through fluid movement or pressure changes. In practical terms, a microfluidic lens can rapidly adjust focus without bulky mechanical assemblies, which aligns with the stated goal of reducing size, weight, and complexity while still enabling depth perception.

A key requirement implied by the description is sensor fusion of depth cues. Rather than relying only on defocus, the research is expected to fuse defocus-based depth inference with additional image-derived depth cues. Those cues could include stereo disparity, motion parallax, focus stacking signals, shape-from-shading, optical flow, perspective cues, or other computational depth indicators, as long as they can be integrated to improve robustness and accuracy. The explicit interest in "real-time" performance suggests the funded work should address computational efficiency and algorithmic design so the approach can run fast enough for operational use, potentially on embedded or constrained hardware typical of miniaturized imaging platforms.

The funding opportunity number is CRANBAA18 004, and the associated CFDA number is 12.300, which is commonly tied to Department of Defense research and development assistance. Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, meaning the target applicants are state universities and similar public academic entities rather than private companies or private universities. The opportunity anticipated a single award, with an award ceiling of $200,000, indicating a relatively focused, early-stage research effort or proof-of-concept project rather than a large multi-year program.

In terms of timing, the opportunity was created on November 8, 2017, with an original closing date of December 8, 2017. That short window is consistent with specialized defense research calls where the government is seeking a targeted technical capability and expects applicants to propose a clear plan for experimentation, validation, and deliverables. Overall, the grant aims to advance compact, computationally driven 3D imaging by combining tunable microfluidic optics with depth-from-defocus methods and complementary depth cues, with a strong emphasis on practical, real-time performance in a miniaturized camera system.

• The Department of Defense, NSWC - CRANE in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Real-time 3D camera system using Extended Depth from Defocus and Microfluidic Lens" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.300.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 08, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 08, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

Apply for CRANBAA18 004

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: