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DARPA has been a foundational funder of AI since the 1960s and continues to lead with programs pushing beyond current commercial AI capabilities. The Information Innovation Office (I2O) runs the majority of DARPA's AI portfolio, with active programs in explainable AI (XAI), adversarial AI, human-machine teaming, and AI for cybersecurity operations.
Current DARPA AI priorities include AI systems that can reason and explain their decisions, AI that is robust to adversarial attacks, AI for autonomous military systems, and AI-enabled scientific discovery. The Third Wave AI initiative envisions contextual adaptation — systems that build contextual models and can operate in novel situations without explicit retraining.
DARPA AI proposals are evaluated on technical novelty, performer capability, and potential for paradigm-shifting results. The typical path is: white paper or abstract submission, program manager review, invitation to submit a full proposal, and negotiation of award terms. Awards range from $500K for focused efforts to $20M+ for multi-team programs.
I2O AI BAAs
Rolling Broad Agency Announcements covering AI, ML, NLP, computer vision, cybersecurity, and human-machine systems. Multiple programs within each BAA.
Browse grants →DARPA Young Faculty Award
$500K over two years for tenure-track faculty in AI and other DARPA-relevant fields. Possible $500K Director's Fellowship extension.
Browse grants →AIE Program
Artificial Intelligence Exploration — fast-track 90-day contracting for novel AI concepts. Lower administrative overhead for small teams.
Browse grants →BTO AI Programs
Biological Technologies Office AI programs covering biosecurity, bio-inspired computing, and AI for biological systems analysis.
4 matching grants
DARPA's AI Forward program advances trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for national security through AI Exploration (AIE) opportunities using streamlined contracting procedures. The program emerged from two 2023 workshops with approximately 200 participants from commercial, academic, and government sectors. AI Forward funds 18-month projects to establish feasibility of new AI concepts, with awards issued within 3 months of opportunity announcement. The program addresses three essential research thrusts: foundational theory for understanding AI system limits and guardrails, AI engineering for predictable real-world deployment, and human-AI teaming for trustworthy collaboration. Associated active programs include EMHAT, FACT, and FoundSci. DARPA has invested over $2 billion through its AI Next campaign since 2018, with approximately 70% of current DARPA programs utilizing AI or machine learning. Proposals are submitted through the DARPA R&D Opportunities portal.
AI Exploration Opportunities (AIEs) is sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). AI Exploration Opportunities (AIEs) are a series of unique funding opportunities to explore new directions for artificial intelligence (AI) research, with streamlined contracting procedures and funding mechanisms. These projects aim to establish the feasibility of new AI concepts within 18 months of award, focusing on trustworthy systems for national security missions.
AI Exploration (AIE) Program is sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The AIE program is a series of unique funding opportunities with streamlined contracting procedures to explore the feasibility of new AI concepts within 18 months. DARPA is investing in this program to spur major AI breakthroughs for national security purposes. While not exclusively focused on financial intelligence, the broad nature of AI exploration can encompass relevant areas.
Artificial Intelligence Cyber Challenge (AIxCC) is sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). A two-year competition bringing together experts in AI and cybersecurity to safeguard critical software. Competitors design novel AI systems to secure code, with prizes awarded to teams with the best systems. The challenge aims to empower entrepreneurial innovation and facilitate the development of state-of-the-art cybersecurity systems.
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