Critical Orientation of Mathematics to Produce Advancements in Science and Security

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), through its Defense Sciences Office (DSO), is offering the Critical Orientation of Mathematics to Produce Advancements in Science and Security (COMPASS) Advanced Research Concepts (ARC) Opportunity. This opportunity is part of the broader master ARC Exploration Announcement (DARPA-EA-25-02) and seeks innovative exploratory research abstracts in the domain of advanced mathematics with national security applications. The ARC program aims to support individual researchers or small teams dedicating the equivalent of one full-time equivalent (FTE) over a 12-month period to validate paradigm-shifting ideas. The COMPASS initiative is designed to promote the development of novel mathematical frameworks that can lead to transformative defense capabilities. DARPA emphasizes that current mathematical approaches in defense often rely on approximations, which result in fragile solutions. The program encourages the investigation of robust frameworks and innovative problem formulations that better represent complex systems, stochastic processes, and random geometric structures. These efforts are aimed at improving the military’s ability to operate across complex, dynamic domains such as land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Applications should propose a direct link between a new mathematical framework and a specific Department of Defense (DoD) application area. Proposals must justify the novelty and necessity of the framework, demonstrate its superiority or unique advantages over existing methods, and include a roadmap to guide future tractable solutions. Notably, proposals must be original and not incremental enhancements of existing methods. The eligible problem areas include supply chains, contested communications, swarming systems, intelligence analysis, and mission planning among others. Funding for this ARC Opportunity ranges from $100,000 to $300,000 over a 12-month period, inclusive of all costs such as direct, indirect, and applicable graduate tuition. No profit, subawards, or travel/publication costs are permitted. Abstracts will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the final deadline of May 12, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Proposers are encouraged to submit early due to limited funding, which may prompt an earlier closure. Selected abstracts will be invited to submit an Oral Proposal Package (OPP). Submissions must comply with the guidelines outlined in the master ARC EA and the latest amendments, and be made through the DARPA Submission website. Abstracts should be unclassified and use the provided DARPA template. Evaluations will be based on the novelty, feasibility, and applicability of the proposed approach. Reporting requirements include monthly progress updates, milestone reports, and a final comprehensive report and presentation. For questions, proposers should contact DARPA via COMPASS@darpa.mil. Technical support for submissions is available through BAAT_Support@darpa.mil. FAQs and additional updates will be provided on the DARPA ARC website. Proposals involving human subjects are not eligible for this opportunity.

Applicants are encouraged to monitor DARPA announcements for updates on important dates and any pre-application opportunities.