Automated Discovery for Design and Control of Turbulent Systems (AutoDIDACTS)
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- HR001126S0008
- Agency
-
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Department of Defense
- Applications due
- Award size
- Not on record
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Science and Technology and other Research and Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals for the Automated Discovery for Design and Control of Turbulent Systems (AutoDIDACTS) program under CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development). DARPA seeks data-informed development of generalizable models and principles for aeronautical design and optimal control of turbulent systems, with a strict requirement that proposals demonstrate revolutionary advances rather than evolutionary improvements to existing practice. Eligible applicants include educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and commercial firms, which must propose comprehensive approaches addressing Phase I goals including development of precision ground-truth experimental data using tunable turbulence simulators, discovery of macroscale design principles through AI-based algorithms, and demonstration of model accuracy exceeding 95 percent with generalizability across parameter spaces greater than 100x. Evaluation will be based on three criteria in descending order of importance: overall scientific and technical merit (highest priority), potential contribution and relevance to DARPA mission, and cost and schedule realism. Critical deadlines include proposal abstract submission by April 15, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, question submission closing on May 15, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and full proposal submission by May 28, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Awards will be made as procurement contracts, cooperative agreements, or Other Transaction Agreements for Research, with typical funding ranging from $125,000 to approximately $15 million depending on proposal scope and organizational capacity. The program is structured as a 48-month effort comprising a 24-month Phase I base period (currently solicited) followed by a 24-month Phase II demonstration phase, with a target program start date of September 2026. All performers must include eight two-day Principal Investigator meetings (four in the Washington, D.C. area and four in the San Francisco area) in their budgets, with research to be conducted at the awardee's facilities. Proposals must identify an intermediate Year 1 demonstration, specify a Phase II topic area from four provided options, and provide rough order of magnitude costs for Phase II. DARPA anticipates multiple awards from this solicitation and encourages teaming among organizations to address the comprehensive technical requirements.
Synopsis
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals for the data-informed development of generalizable models and principles for aeronautical design and the optimal control of turbulent systems. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| HR001126S0008_AutoDIDACTS_Amendment_2_Summary_of_Changes.docx | DOCX document | |
| HR001126S0008-Amendment-02.pdf | ||
| HR001126S0008-Amendment-01.pdf | ||
| HR001126S0008_AutoDIDACTS_Amendment_1_Summary_of_Changes.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment_G_Model_Other_Transaction_for_Research_Agreement.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment_H_Associate_Contractors_Agreement.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment_F_DARPA_Cost_Proposal_Spreadsheet.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| Attachment_E_Proposal_Instructions_and_Volume_II_Template__Cost.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment_C_Proposal_Summary_Slide_Template.pptx | PPTX presentation | |
| Attachment_D_Proposal_Instructions_and_Volume_I_Template__Technical_and_Management.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment_B_Abstract_Instructions_and_Template.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment_A_Abstract_Summary_Side_Template.pptx | PPTX presentation | |
| HR001126S0008.pdf | ||
| Model_CA_and_Exhibits_A-E__1.21.26.docx | DOCX document |
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