Request for Information (RFI): Formal Learning and Abstractions for System Heterogeneity (FLASH)
DARPA is seeking information on research concepts for national-security uses of heterogeneous cyber-physical engineering and automated synthesis/understanding of high-assurance systems from formal specifications.
⚑ This is an RFI/Special Notice, not a funding solicitation; it requests information only. · Applicant restrictions are noted as federal contract; no direct grant eligibility is stated for universities. · Focus is on high-assurance cyber-physical systems, formal methods, and automated synthesis/analysis. · National-security applications are central to the inquiry.
This is primarily a computing/cyber-physical systems and formal methods opportunity, which is far outside IPPRA’s core social-science lines. Even though it mentions national security applications, the work is about automated synthesis and high-assurance engineering systems rather than public opinion, risk perception, warning response, or policy evaluation.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-11-04
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 75 strong | technical depth: central; funds basic research |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | portfolio topics: national_security_defense, cybersecurity (primary); social/behavioral work is none; funds basic research; eligibility unclear — verify in the NOFO; capped at 45 (limited social-science role) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Information Processing Techniques Office (IPTO) seeks information on research related to Formal Learning and Abstractions for System Heterogeneity (FLASH). Specifically, this RFI seeks information on (i) national-security applications that could benefit in terms of robustness and other operational properties resulting from heterogeneous engineering solutions; and (ii) potential techniques, informed by current research and practice, for the automated synthesis and understanding of high-assurance cyber-physical engineering systems from formal specifications.
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Special Notice. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) / DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY.
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