Methodological Advancements for Generalizable Insights into Complex Systems (MAGICS)
ID: DARPA-EA-25-02-05Type: Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA)DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCYARLINGTON, VA, 222032114, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

PSC

NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; BASIC RESEARCH (AC11)
Timeline
  1. 1
    Posted Apr 8, 2025, 12:00 AM UTC
  2. 2
    Updated Apr 8, 2025, 12:00 AM UTC
  3. 3
    Due Jul 10, 2025, 4:00 PM UTC
Description

The Department of Defense, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is soliciting innovative research proposals under the Advanced Research Concepts (ARC) Opportunity titled "Methodological Advancements for Generalizable Insights into Complex Systems (MAGICS)." This initiative aims to develop new methodologies for modeling collective human behavior in complex, dynamic systems, addressing the limitations of current statistical approaches that struggle to accurately predict behaviors in evolving, open, time-varying environments. The opportunity is critical for enhancing predictive modeling capabilities relevant to national security and societal dynamics, with selected proposals potentially receiving funding between $100,000 and $300,000 for a performance period of up to 12 months. Interested parties should submit their proposals by July 10, 2025, and can direct inquiries to the BAA Coordinator at MAGICS@darpa.mil.

Point(s) of Contact
BAA Coordinator
MAGICS@darpa.mil
Files
Title
Posted
Apr 8, 2025, 2:05 PM UTC
The DARPA Defense Sciences Office has issued an Advanced Research Concepts (ARC) Opportunity titled MAGICS, inviting innovative research proposals focused on computational science in complex systems. This initiative aims to address shortcomings in existing statistical methods for modeling dynamic human systems, which have been unable to accurately predict behaviors due to challenges such as unstable mappings, insufficient methodologies, and the complexities of psychosocial dynamics. Proposals must present novel approaches that enhance modeling accuracy by overcoming these limitations, with key areas of interest including data inference boundaries, alignment validation, and the integration of psychological theories. Abstracts should detail a clear problem statement, quantitative benchmarks against current solutions, innovation in methodology, and an evaluation plan against ground truth data. Selected proposals may receive funding between $100,000 and $300,000, with a performance period of up to 12 months. Submissions will be evaluated on a rolling basis until the deadline on July 10, 2025. This opportunity represents DARPA's commitment to fostering research that can improve predictive modeling capabilities relevant to national security and societal dynamics.
Lifecycle
Title
Type
Similar Opportunities
Advanced Research Concepts (ARC)
Buyer not available
The Department of Defense, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is soliciting proposals for the Advanced Research Concepts (ARC) program, aimed at exploring high-risk, high-reward research initiatives that support U.S. national security. Proposers are required to submit concise abstracts summarizing innovative technical ideas for projects that can be executed over a 12-month period with a budget not exceeding $300,000, engaging one Full-Time Equivalent (FTE). This initiative is critical for fostering disruptive technological advancements that can significantly impact defense capabilities. Interested parties must adhere to specific submission guidelines and contact the BAA Coordinator at Innovation@darpa.mil for further information, with the solicitation remaining open for one year.
UNITED STATES ARMY RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR THE BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (ARI) BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR BASIC, APPLIED, AND ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
Buyer not available
The United States Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) is seeking proposals for basic, applied, and advanced scientific research through a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) aimed at enhancing Army readiness and performance via behavioral and social sciences. The initiative encompasses various research topics, including personnel assessment, leadership competencies, and technological fluency, with a focus on innovative approaches to improve decision-making and operational effectiveness in complex military environments. Interested parties are encouraged to submit white papers, with funding amounts varying based on project scope, and deadlines for submissions ranging from October 4, 2023, to September 26, 2024. For further inquiries, contact Wilveria Sanders at wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil or Kevin J Bassler at kevin.j.bassler.civ@army.mil.
Disruptioneering Program Announcement
Buyer not available
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking proposals for its "Disruptioneering Program Announcement" aimed at fostering high-risk, high-reward research initiatives in defense sciences. This program will utilize Other Transactions for Prototype agreements to fund projects that lead to prototype demonstrations, with a total funding cap of $2 million for combined projects and a minimum cost share of one-third in certain cases. The initiative emphasizes rapid exploration of emerging scientific advances and encourages collaboration with commercial entities, nonprofits, and universities, particularly benefiting nontraditional defense contractors with reduced restrictions. Interested parties can direct inquiries to the BAA Coordinator at DARPA-PA-24-04@darpa.mil, with proposals expected to adhere to specific guidelines and submission formats outlined in the program documentation.
U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Broad Agency Announcement for Basic Research (Fiscal Year 2026)
Buyer not available
The Department of the Army, through the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI), is soliciting proposals for fundamental research in behavioral and social sciences for fiscal year 2026. This Broad Agency Announcement aims to address critical scientific challenges related to Soldier readiness, focusing on foundational research that enhances operational capabilities, personnel development, and organizational effectiveness. The research will encompass four key domains: Measurement of Individuals and Collectives, Teams and Small Groups, Organizations and Systems, and Formal and Informal Learning and Development, with an emphasis on advancing psychological measurement methods and optimizing team dynamics. Interested applicants, primarily from higher education institutions, non-profits, or commercial entities, should submit white papers followed by full proposals, adhering to the outlined eligibility criteria and evaluation guidelines. For further inquiries, contact Kimberly Wingert at kimberly.m.wingert.civ@army.mil or Wilveria Sanders at wilveria.a.sanders.civ@army.mil.
Critical Orientation of Mathematics to Produce Advancements in Science and Security (COMPASS)
Buyer not available
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative research concepts through its Critical Orientation of Mathematics to Produce Advancements in Science and Security (COMPASS) initiative, aimed at enhancing national security applications via advanced mathematics. Researchers are invited to submit abstracts that propose novel mathematical frameworks capable of addressing complex defense challenges across various domains, including air, land, maritime, space, and cyberspace. This initiative underscores the critical role of robust mathematical solutions in improving military decision-making and operational effectiveness, with funding ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months. Abstract submissions will be evaluated on a rolling basis until May 12, 2025, and interested parties can reach out to the BAA Coordinator at COMPASS@darpa.mil for further information.
Advanced Cyber Operations Prototypes (A-COP)
Buyer not available
The Department of the Air Force is announcing an Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) titled "Advanced Cyber Operations Prototypes" (A-COP) aimed at developing prototypes to enhance the U.S. Department of Defense's cyber capabilities. This initiative seeks innovative solutions for cyber operations that can be integrated into existing military platforms, focusing on areas such as cloud architectures, machine learning for cybersecurity, and resilient infrastructures to autonomously defend against emerging threats. The ARA is significant for advancing U.S. military cyber defense mechanisms and is open until December 30, 2028, with an estimated funding ceiling of approximately $949.9 million, allowing for individual awards typically ranging from $10 million to $50 million, and potentially up to $99.98 million. Interested parties should submit white papers by the suggested deadlines, with initial submissions due by January 12, 2024, for FY24 funding, and can direct inquiries to Thomas Parisi at afrl.riga.firestarter@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at Amber.Buckley@rl.af.mil.
DEVCOM ARMY RESEARCH LABORATORY BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FOUNDATIONAL RESEARCH
Buyer not available
The Department of Defense, through the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL), is soliciting proposals for foundational research under the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF-23-S-0001, which is open from November 21, 2022, to November 20, 2027. This initiative aims to support innovative research that enhances Army capabilities in various fields, including basic and applied scientific research, with a focus on high-risk, high-reward projects that align with Army modernization priorities. The BAA consolidates previous announcements and invites a wide range of entities, including academic institutions, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations, to submit whitepapers and proposals addressing key research topics such as intelligent cyber-physical systems and advanced materials science. Interested parties can contact the ARL Point of Contact at usarmy.rtp.devcom-arl.mbx.baa@army.mil for further information, and specific funding opportunities are available, including awards for early career researchers and short-term innovative research, with ongoing updates provided on the ARL BAA topics website.
Defense Sciences Office (DSO) Office-wide BAA
Buyer not available
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is inviting proposals for its Defense Sciences Office (DSO) Office-wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), aimed at soliciting innovative research ideas that can lead to revolutionary advancements in national security applications. Proposals should focus on novel approaches rather than incremental improvements, covering key research areas such as Novel Materials & Structures, Sensing & Measurement, and Emerging Threats. This initiative is crucial for fostering advanced research that aligns with DARPA's mission to enhance national defense capabilities. Interested organizations can submit proposals until September 26, 2025, and should direct inquiries to the BAA Coordinator at HR001124S0039@darpa.mil.
Securing Artificial Intelligence for Battlefield Effective Robustness (SABER)
Buyer not available
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for the "Securing Artificial Intelligence for Battlefield Effective Robustness (SABER)" initiative, aimed at enhancing the security and robustness of AI systems used in military applications. The program seeks to establish a framework for operational assessments of AI-enabled battlefield systems through the development of AI red teaming tools, focusing on both ground and aerial autonomous systems that may be deployed within the next 1-3 years. This initiative is critical as it addresses vulnerabilities in AI technologies, ensuring that military applications can withstand adversarial attacks and maintain operational effectiveness. Interested parties must submit their proposals by May 6, 2025, with an abstract deadline of March 31, 2025, and can direct inquiries to the BAA Coordinator at SABER@darpa.mil.
Program Announcement for MTO Pitch Day Solicitation
Buyer not available
The Department of Defense, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is announcing the MTO Pitch Day Solicitation aimed at funding innovative research proposals in unconventional computing, biologically inspired microsystems, and commercially catalyzed defense development. This initiative seeks to encourage participation from small businesses and non-traditional proposers, with a focus on short-term projects that have the potential for long-term impact in advancing national security technology. Proposers are invited to submit abstracts by April 23, 2025, for a chance to present their ideas at the Pitch Day event scheduled for July 25, 2025, with funding available up to $400,000 across two phases. Interested parties can reach out to the MTO BAA Coordinator at MTO-PitchDay@darpa.mil for further information.