US increases DARPA funding to $4.37 billion for 2025 research initiatives

The United States has significantly increased its funding for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), allocating $4.37 billion for research in fiscal year 2025.

This marks a 92.5% rise from the agency's funding in 1996, which stood at $2.27 billion, Caliber.Az reports referring to international media sources.

In 2025, DARPA's main focus will be on applied research aimed at solving scientific and practical challenges, while a larger portion of the technology development budget will be directed towards addressing specific military needs than at any time in the past 26 years.

Out of the $4.37 billion requested for 2025, 97.2% will be dedicated to three key areas: basic research, which builds the scientific foundation for future work; applied research, which tackles practical challenges; and new technology development, which addresses urgent military requirements. These areas are part of the US Department of Defence's broader science and technology budget.

DARPA, a US government agency under the Department of Defence, was established in 1958 with the mission of ensuring the US remains technologically superior in defence. The agency is known for fostering cutting-edge innovations that can have significant national security implications.

DARPA has been instrumental in several groundbreaking technological advancements, many of which have had civilian applications. For instance, the agency played a key role in developing the internet through the ARPANET project and has been at the forefront of advancements in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, space exploration, and cybersecurity.

The agency's unique model encourages high-risk, high-reward projects and fosters collaboration between the government, private industry, and academic institutions. DARPA funds and manages a wide range of programs designed to tackle both current and future security challenges, making it a pivotal force in defence innovation.

By Tamilla Hasanova