Big if True Science Accelerator (BiTS) FAQ

The weekly activities in the BiTS program evolve over its duration. The beginning of the program focuses on field strategy, which involves extensive data collection through conversations with experts to refine the initial idea. This is followed by a period of idea refinement, where fellows work on structuring their program, often using a framework of questions to clarify their concept. As the program progresses, the focus shifts towards producing and iterating on deliverables, such as a concise three-page program description and a 15-minute pitch deck for the program’s Demo Day. Throughout the program, fellows participate in weekly one-on-one mentoring sessions and small group meetings with other fellows.

Mentors in the BiTS program are primarily former program managers from ARPA agencies like DARPA and ARPA-E. They are selected for their experience in managing advanced R&D. While efforts are made to align mentors with the fellow's technical area, the primary value of the mentorship is in guiding the process of program development and fostering an ambitious mindset. Mentors also provide valuable networking opportunities by connecting fellows with their contacts.

Most of the 10 hours per week are exploratory calls with experts, reading, and writing, which can all be scheduled on your own time. Mentor sessions are 30-60 minutes per week, scheduled to suit your and your mentor’s schedules. Small group sessions will be allocated partly based on schedule preferences. Weekly office hours and guest lectures are optional and will be recorded for participant access.

We expect the cohort to be a mix of experienced industry professionals, professors and post-docs, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals in earlier stages of their careers. Experience from more than one sector is a plus but not a must. A typical applicant will have at least graduate-level experience or equivalent industry experience. However, if you believe you are a strong fit and do not meet these requirements, we still encourage you to apply

BiTS seeks to support projects that are either too large and/or complex for academia or unsuitable for commercial funding on a venture capital timeline. If an idea is mature enough to attract venture capital, it likely doesn't need the kind of high-risk, pre-commercial investment that philanthropists or ARPA-like organizations provide. BiTS is not designed to prepare individuals to found or manage start-ups.  

There is no cost to participate, and we will reimburse travel and lodging expenses for kick-off and demo day. 

Success for a BiTS fellow involves translating their ambitious idea into a concrete and fundable program. This can manifest in several ways, including:

• Securing a position at an organization like ARIA, SPRIND, or US ARPAs.

• Launching a Focused Research Organization (FRO) with philanthropic funding.

• Leading a thesis-driven philanthropic fund.

• Obtaining a role in a traditional philanthropy to deploy large-scale capital.

• Building their program within a large, well-funded research institute.

The program culminates in a "demo day" wherein fellows present their program plans to a variety of potential funders, including ARPAs, philanthropists, and impact investors.

The BiTS program focuses on ideas that fall into a specific gap. If a problem can be addressed through a traditional academic grant within a single lab, it may not require the large-scale, coordinated effort that BiTS aims to enable. Similarly, if an idea is mature enough to attract venture capital, it likely doesn't need the kind of high-risk, pre-commercial investment that ARPA-like organizations or philanthropic funders provide. BiTS seeks to support projects that are too large, risky, and/or complex for academia or unsuitable for commercial funding on a venture capital timeline.