Mathematics of Boosting Agentic Communication (MATHBAC)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Defense Sciences Office seeks innovative research proposals advancing foundational mathematics, systems theory, and information theory to enable science discovery by autonomous agents and agent collectives, with full proposals due June 18, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Abstract submissions are strongly encouraged with a due date of April 30, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Amendment 01, posted June 11, 2026, extended the proposal deadline and clarified guidance on multiple proposal participation, Phase II cost estimates, and participation by Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, University-Affiliated Research Centers, and government entities as subawardees.

This is a 34-month, two-phase program with Phase I lasting 16 months and Phase II lasting 18 months. Phase I awards are limited to $2,000,000 per award; multiple awards are anticipated. Proposers must address one of two technical areas: TA1 (Mathematics of Agentic Communication Protocols) or TA2 (Geometry and Evolution of Shared Knowledge—Generalizable Principles from Data). Phase I proposals must include a fully-definitized Phase I statement of work and a draft Phase II statement of work with Rough Order of Magnitude cost estimate. Phase II requires Evolution Teams composed of performers from both technical areas working collaboratively, though Phase I participants may work independently.

Awards will be issued as Other Transaction Agreements for Research under 10 U.S.C. § 4021, exempting awardees from standard Federal Acquisition Regulations. The NAICS code is 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). Place of performance includes three three-day meetings (two in Washington, D.C., one in San Francisco) plus the proposer's facilities. A Proposers Day is scheduled April 21, 2026. Evaluation criteria include overall scientific and technical merit, potential contribution and relevance to DARPA's mission, price, and proposer capabilities and related experience. Non-U.S. organizations may participate subject to compliance with nondisclosure agreements, security regulations, and export control laws. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, University-Affiliated Research Centers, and National Laboratories are ineligible as prime proposers but may participate as subcontractors with justification.