Critical Orientation of Mathematics to Produce Advancements in Science and Security
This funding opportunity is designed for researchers and small teams to explore innovative mathematical concepts that can lead to significant advancements in national security applications, such as cybersecurity and decision support systems.
Description
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) has issued an Advanced Research Concepts (ARC) Opportunity titled Critical Orientation of Mathematics to Produce Advancements in Science and Security (COMPASS) – DARPA-EA-25-02-03. This opportunity invites innovative exploratory research concepts in advanced mathematics that could provide revolutionary advancements for national security applications. COMPASS is issued under the master ARC Exploration Announcement (EA), DARPA-EA-25-02, which serves as a framework for high-risk, high-reward research.
ARC Opportunities provide individual researchers or small teams the time and support needed to explore paradigm-shifting ideas. The expected level of effort for each project is approximately one Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) over 12 months, and the total funding per award ranges from $100,000 to $300,000. Awards will be issued as Research Other Transactions (OTs) under 10 U.S.C. § 4021. Subawardees are not permitted, and funding cannot be used for travel or publication costs.
The technical objective of COMPASS is to develop new mathematical frameworks and problem formulations that significantly improve how the Department of Defense (DoD) understands and solves complex challenges. Areas of interest include stochastic processes, random geometric structures, large-scale networks, and mathematical modeling of uncertain environments. Applications may span across cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, logistics, intelligence analysis, multi-domain operations, and decision support systems.
Applicants must first submit an Abstract outlining their proposed research, and Abstracts will be evaluated on a rolling basis until May 12, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET. If selected, the applicant will receive an invitation to submit an Oral Proposal Package (OPP). Due to limited funding, DARPA may close the submission period early if funds are exhausted.
For inquiries, proposers may contact COMPASS@darpa.mil. The full solicitation is available on SAM.gov under DARPA-EA-25-02:
https://sam.gov/opp/95c31b3f3e094627a9a1e053766e46e1/view.