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Comment by nimeshneema | Hacker News Reader

> Any U.S. academic institution, business, or individual, is eligible to compete, with certain restrictions.

Any reason why it isn't open to people outside of USA ?

Presumably, because DARPA is funded by tax dollars and it would be embarrassing to have these go overseas; also, because the military may want to hire the people who made this, and getting a high security clearance for foreigners is a headache.

That still is a very very bad reason to don't "use" engineers outside the US

Sounds like a good reason to me 1. Security 2. DARPA exists for the US, and for US tax payers. I pay taxes to employ Americans, not Indians.

What would be a good reason?

Perhaps any engineers you employ are less likely to be employed by your enemies? It seems proven that greater trade between countries reduces risk of war, and employment might follow the same pattern.

Also, quite possible that your research money goes farther. If this produces greater progress per dollar, this might create greater security. But this might depend on whether you are developing offensive or defensive tools.

So if an italian has a better solution, then DARPA have failed on your point 1. because he can use that against americans (i.e block their spectrum), and DARPA won't know about it.

Citation on your point 2. Where does it say anywhere that Government can only spend it's money on employing Americans?

I am Italian (hey Volpe :-D), but I lived in the US for a little while.

I understand that what made American great is its ability to use talent from other countries, honestly US does NOT have the best scientists or engineers but it offer to the best mind the opportunities to shine, opportunities that we don't have in my country.

For most DARPA projects you have requirements for key people to have US citizenship, firewalls for foreigners, etc. it's the department of defense, there are a lot of national security implications.

They might allow non US citizens to compete as long as the primary point of contact for the team is eligible to compete. This is how I remember they did the Darpa shredder challenge.

DARPA is part of the US Department of Defense, so it makes sense that they award only Americans. On the other hand, I wish they made a special exception for Canadians...

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