The Strengthening Teamwork for Robust Operations in Novel Groups (STRONG) program, issued by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL), focuses on fostering collaboration between humans and intelligent agents to enhance operational teamwork. STRONG is a 10-year initiative running from fiscal years 2019 to 2029, structured into annual research cycles to address evolving scientific questions. The program’s primary goal is to develop individualized, adaptive technologies that facilitate effective collaboration within human-agent teams. Cycle 7 emphasizes bridging theory-driven approaches and data-driven methods to develop models capable of explaining and predicting human behavior in complex real-world environments. Research proposals should aim for both explanatory depth and predictive accuracy, ultimately supporting the development of adaptive, intelligent agents for future military operations.

Cycle 7 specifically targets Theory-Driven Big Data (TDBD) approaches that combine causal explanations of behavior with predictive accuracy. Proposals should address key goals such as innovative approaches to TDBD models, scalable and multimodal data collection, robust data infrastructures and algorithms, adaptive model refinement, and real-world validation strategies. Key scientific questions focus on discovering causal relationships, addressing data collection challenges, optimizing algorithms for real-time data analysis, and ensuring model adaptability to dynamic operational contexts. Successful proposals will advance foundational knowledge necessary for intelligent systems capable of dynamically adapting to individual and environmental variables.

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) under certain conditions. Junior investigators, including students and early-career researchers, are strongly encouraged to participate. Teams must include diverse and interdisciplinary expertise to foster innovation and collaboration. The program emphasizes knowledge sharing and mandates participation in an Innovation Summit Series, where awardees engage with ARL researchers, other funded teams, and industry partners to exchange ideas and refine research goals.

The program will provide funding through one-year “seedling” cooperative agreements, with the potential for a three-year extension based on demonstrated success and alignment with program goals. Seedling awards are capped at $100,000 per project, while follow-on funding for multi-year extensions ranges between $350,000 and $500,000 annually. Approximately ten awards are expected for Cycle 7. Proposals must include a detailed research plan, goals, a budget narrative, and participation plans for collaborative activities. All documents must be submitted via Grants.gov by 3:00 PM local time (North Carolina, USA) on January 31, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.

Applications will be evaluated based on scientific merit and relevance, the qualifications of personnel with a focus on junior investigator development, collaborative potential, and cost realism. High-risk, high-reward proposals are encouraged, with an emphasis on innovative and scalable solutions. Award notifications are anticipated by April 2025, followed by participation in the Innovation Summit Series in July 2025 and subsequent follow-on presentations in January 2026. Additional program updates, resources, and contacts can be accessed through the STRONG program website or by emailing the provided ARL contact.

For successful projects, ARL encourages the sharing of research deliverables, such as annotated datasets, algorithms, and reports, to advance knowledge and promote collaboration across academic, industry, and government sectors.