Emerging Opportunities

The EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES program, managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is a new Program Element (PE 0601122E) in the FY 2026 defense budget, focused on foundational basic research to enhance long-term national security. The program's overarching goal is to discover new scientific phenomena and explore their potential for defense applications, providing the technical groundwork for future advanced technologies. This PE consolidates and expands efforts previously funded under other DARPA basic research elements and is structured into several key projects, each targeting specific scientific domains critical to defense innovation.

Math and Computer Sciences (EMR-01) is the largest component. Its objectives are to advance mathematical and computational algorithms, models, and mechanisms that underpin modern information technologies, both classical and quantum. The project encompasses a wide range of research, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, quantum technologies, data science, and software security. Notable programs include the Advanced Research Concepts (ARC) for high-risk, high-reward ideas and the Young Faculty Award (YFA) to foster the next generation of defense researchers. Specific initiatives include efforts for trusted algorithmic decision-making, mixed reality user protection, and automated translation of legacy code to memory-safe languages. Additional efforts focus on AI assurance, AI-driven mathematics, scientific claim feasibility, enhanced software bill of materials, advanced modeling and simulation, and scalable AI reasoning.

Disruptive Microtechnologies Sciences (EMR-02) supports research into new materials, devices, and architectures for next-generation microelectronics. The flagship effort is a public-private consortium with universities and industry to address challenges in analog hardware, memory, data storage, and energy efficiency. The program also funds research on system compartmentalization and privilege management to improve cybersecurity in legacy systems, as well as exploratory studies on leveraging commercial microtechnology scaling for defense applications.

Materials Sciences (EMR-03) provides fundamental research for the design, development, and optimization of advanced materials and systems. Key thrusts include exploring the fundamental limits of scientific principles such as optical technologies and nuclear decay, as well as molecular systems and materials assembly for supply chain and logistics resilience. Studies also focus on emergent capabilities at the intersection of quantum science, nanoscience, and materials science. The program aims to develop novel materials for energy, sensing, and communication, and to apply AI for materials discovery and optimization.

Basic Operational Medical Science (EMR-04) targets basic research in medical technologies relevant to warfighter health and performance. The project addresses prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, acute and chronic illness, and resilience against operational stressors. Major efforts include advanced cell modeling, stress response modulation, safe field anesthesia, bloodstream infection prevention, team performance prediction, combating antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, and enhancing warfighter adaptation to extreme conditions. The project also supports exploratory studies in predictive diagnostics and AI-enabled medical science.

Emerging Opportunities Support (EMR-07) provides for non-headquarters management and operational costs that enable the execution of the entire Emerging Opportunities PE. This includes network and equipment support, security, contractor services, outreach, and program management functions. These support activities are essential for maintaining DARPA's ability to manage and transition high-impact research to defense applications.