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AI Exploration (AIE) programs is sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). AI Exploration (AIE) programs are funding opportunities that use streamlined contracting procedures to establish the feasibility of new AI concepts.
This initiative explores new directions for AI research that will result in trustworthy systems for national security missions, including improving robustness, reliability, security, and resiliency of AI systems.
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Records Retention Policy Impacts Old SAM Registration Data # Program Announcement for Artificial Intelligence Exploration (AIE) Note: There have been new actions to this contract opportunity. To view the most recent action, please click here. DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) #### Looking for contract opportunity help?
APEX Accelerators are an official government contracting resource for small businesses. Find your local APEX Accelerator (opens in new window) for free government expertise related to contract opportunities. APEX Accelerators are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.
The APEX Accelerators program was formerly known as the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (opens in new window) (PTAP).
* **Contract Opportunity Type:**Presolicitation (Original) * **Original Published Date:**Aug 21, 2023 09:31 am EDT * **Original Response Date:**Aug 20, 2024 04:00 pm EDT * **Inactive Policy:**Manual * **Original Inactive Date:**Sep 19, 2024 * **Original Set Aside:** * **Product Service Code:** AC11 - NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; BASIC RESEARCH * 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) * **Place of Performance:** The mission of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is to make strategic, early investments in science and technology that will have long-term positive impact on our Nation’s security.
In support of this mission, DARPA has pioneered groundbreaking research and development (R&D) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for more than five decades.
Today, DARPA continues to lead innovation in AI research through a large, diverse portfolio of fundamental and applied R&D AI programs aimed at shaping a future for AI technology where machines may serve as trusted and collaborative partners in solving problems of importance to national security.
The AI Exploration (AIE) program is one key element of DARPA’s broader AI investment strategy that will help ensure the U.S. maintains a technological advantage in this critical area. ### Contracting Office Address * 675 NORTH RANDOLPH STREET * ARLINGTON , VA 222032114 ### Primary Point of Contact * DARPA-PA-23-04@darpa.
mil ### Secondary Point of Contact * **Nov 30, 2024 12:00 am EST**Presolicitation (Updated) * **Aug 21, 2023 09:31 am EDT**Presolicitation (Original) What changes or improvements would you suggest? * Freedom of Information Act * Freedom of Information Act This is a U.S. General Services Administration Federal Government computer system that is **"FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY." ** This system is subject to monitoring.
Individuals found performing unauthorized activities are subject to disciplinary action including criminal prosecution. This system contains Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). All individuals viewing, reproducing or disposing of this information are required to protect it in accordance with 32 CFR Part 2002 and GSA Order CIO 2103.
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According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Researchers, experts, and organizations capable of conducting high-risk, high-reward R&D to establish the feasibility of new AI concepts. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
AI Exploration (AIE) programs is funded by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Yes — this listing is flagged as national in scope, so applicants across the U.S. may apply, subject to the sponsor's other eligibility criteria.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
DARPA's Defense Sciences Office launched the Mathematics of Boosting Agentic Communication (MATHBAC) program on April 7, 2026, under solicitation DARPA-PA-26-05. MATHBAC aims to develop the mathematical and scientific foundations needed to make networks of AI agents collaborate more effectively and ultimately accelerate the pace of scientific discovery for national defense. The program seeks innovative research proposals that advance foundational mathematics, systems theory, and information theory required to enable and understand science-discovery by autonomous agents and agent collectives. Researchers will develop tools to model individual AI agents as mathematical operators, analyze how different communication structures affect a team's ability to solve problems, and build software that lets researchers design optimized multi-agent communication protocols without large-scale trial and error. Key technical areas include multi-agent communication protocols, agentic AI coordination, formal models of collective intelligence, and mathematical frameworks for agent-to-agent collaboration. The program is structured as a 34-month, two-phase effort with Phase I running approximately 16 months and capping individual awards at $2 million. A Proposers Day was held on April 21, 2026. Abstracts were strongly encouraged by April 30, 2026 but are not mandatory. Full proposals are due June 16, 2026, with program performance expected to begin September 15, 2026.
Information Processing Techniques Office Office-Wide (HR001126S0011) is sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). DARPA programs focus on fundamental research required to establish proof of concept in science and technology fields crucial for national security. While broad, DARPA often has interests in cybersecurity as part of its mission to prevent technological surprise.
DoD Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) is sponsored by Department of Defense (DoD) - Office of Naval Research (ONR). The Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI), administered by the Department of Defense Office of Naval Research, supports basic research in science and engineering at U. S.
SBIR SF254-D1206: Knowledge-Guided Test and Evaluation Frameworks for proliferated Low Earth Orbit Constellations is sponsored by U.S. Air Force. DOD SBIR topic SF254-D1206: Knowledge-Guided Test and Evaluation Frameworks for proliferated Low Earth Orbit Constellations. Component: U.S. Air Force. Command: SDA. Solicitation: DoD SBIR 2025.4. Phase(s): D2PII, II, SPII. Status: Pre-Release. Open date: 3/4/2026.
DARPA's Non-Volatile Memory for Extreme Environments topic (DPA26BZ04-DV017) is a Direct-to-Phase-II SBIR worth $1.2 million for radiation-hardened NOR Flash that works from -269°C to +600°C. It opened July 22 and closes August 19, 2026. Here is why the no-Phase-I structure narrows the field to a handful of teams, what the rad-hard specs actually demand, and how a qualified company should sequence a proposal in under a month.
Read articleDARPA's FALCON SBIR topic (DPA26BZ04-DV016) is a Direct-to-Phase-II award worth $1.5 million to teams that can marry the statistical rigor of classical machine learning with the contextual reach of large language models. It opened July 22 and closes August 19, 2026. Here is why the no-Phase-I structure changes who can win, what the hallucination-mitigation requirement really demands, and how a small team should sequence a proposal in under four weeks.
Read articleDARPA pre-released two Release 4 SBIR topics on July 1 — FALCON, fusing efficient ML with large language models, and a non-volatile memory system rated for space and deep-cryogenic extremes. Both open July 22 and close August 19, 2026. Here's what each topic is really asking for and how to build a competitive proposal.
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