Smart CollectionAreas of interest include: * Innovative methods or tools for identifying and/or creating novel sources of new information * Sensor technologies that dramatically improve the reach, sensitivity, size, weight, and power for collection of broad signal or signature types * Methods for combining different measures and/or sensors to improve performance and accuracy of systems * Approaches for assessing and quantifying the ecological-validity of behavioral, neuro- and social science research * Secure communication to and from collection points * Innovative approaches to gain access to denied environments * Tagging, tracking, and location techniques * Electrically small antennas and other advanced radio frequency (RF) concepts * Agile architectures that intelligently distill useful information at the point of collection * Innovative means and methods to ensure the veracity of data collected from a variety of sources * Automated methods for sensor data fusion without predefined interface descriptions * Approaches to enable signal collection systems to conduct more effective targeted information acquisition rather than bulk collection * Tools to identify and mask signal streams and records that contain personal information to avoid unauthorized collection and dissemination.Office of Smart CollectionIARPASC_182bbdc0-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f00357The Office of Smart Collection (SC) focuses on improving the value of collected data from all sources. The Office seeks to achieve this goal by, among other activities, developing new sensor and transmission technologies, new collection techniques that more precisely target desired information, and means for collecting information from previously inaccessible sources. In addition, the Office pursues new mechanisms for combining information gathered from multiple sources to enhance the quality, reliability, and utility of collected information.Dr. Edward BaranoskiOffice Director_182bbfd2-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f00357To improve the value of collected data_182bc07c-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f00357ATHENA_182bc108-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f003571Edward BaranoskiProgram ManagerATHENA was a program focused on computer network operations._182bc194-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f00357Biometrics Exploitation Science & Technology (BEST)Advance the state-of-the-science for biometrics technologies_182bc220-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f003572Mark J. BurgeProgram ManagerIARPA Janus ProgramRelated ProgramThe Biometrics Exploitation Science and Technology (BEST) Program seeks to significantly advance the state-of-the-science for biometrics technologies. The overarching goals for the program are:MatchingSignificantly advance the Intelligence Community's (IC) ability to achieve high-confidence match performance, even when the features are derived from non-ideal data_182bc2a2-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f003572.1ConstraintsSignificantly relax the constraints currently required to acquire high fidelity biometric signatures_182bc360-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f003572.2Bio-Intelligence Chips (BIC)Understand how exposures to chemical and biological agents present in an array of biological functions and how they can be translated into a unique and identifying signature of past exposure._182bc3f6-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f003573Kristen JordanProgram ManagerIARPA is interested in human physiological changes arising from the synthesis or handling of chemical and biological agents of interest and related materials. BIC anticipates that distinguishing biomarkers reflective of changes in host status after exposure would be observed in physiological matrices. These biomarkers may be from immunological, transcriptional, genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, epigenetic or microbiomic alternations. BIC hypothesizes that signatures derived across many omics would be more robust than signatures generated based on a singular omic. BIC seeks to develop an understanding of how such exposures present in an array of biological functions and how they can be translated into a unique and identifying signature of past exposure. The BIC program will be a multiple phase program. In the first phase, BIC performers will identify signatures that would be associated with specific threat hypotheses that comprise sets of biomarkers corresponding to exposures consonant with their particular threat scenarios. Performers will develop bioassays based on the most robust signatures they uncover. In subsequent phases, the BIC program may develop multiple bioassays that can be deployed in a hand-portable lab-on-a-chip platform.Threat SignaturesIdentify signatures that would be associated with specific threat hypotheses_182bc46e-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f003573.1BioassaysDevelop multiple bioassays that can be deployed in a hand-portable lab-on-a-chip platform_182bc50e-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f003573.2Great Horned Owl (GHO)Develop technologies that significantly extend the operational endurance and payload capabilities of ISR UAVs._182bc5b8-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f003574Edward BaranoskiProgram ManagerThe Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) role for UAVs is dependent upon the ability of the UAV to do its mission without the adversary being able to counter it. For many such ISR applications, the acoustic signature of the UAV alerts the adversary to the UAVs presence and can interfere with the mission. Battery powered UAVs are very quiet but lack endurance and payload capability. Better, more efficient, quiet power sources and propulsion techniques are needed to engineer the next generation UAVs for ISR mission applications. The Great Horned Owl (GHO) Program seeks to develop technologies that significantly extend the operational endurance and payload capabilities of ISR UAVs. The anticipated innovation in Phase 1 of the program is a propulsion system that will quietly generate electrical power from liquid hydrocarbon fuel (specifically gasoline or diesel) and enable purely electrically driven quiet flight. The specific propulsion subsystems that GHO's Phase 1 will focus on are: (1) fuel-to-electricity devices using an advanced combustion engine directly coupled to alternator/generator concepts and (2) electricity-to-thrust devices utilizing innovative electric motor driven propulsor systems._182bc676-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f00357High Frequency Geolocation (HFGeo)Develop and prototype technology that will improve in the ability to geolocate and characterize HF emitters._182bc734-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f003575Chris W. ReedProgram ManagerIARPA SLiCE ProgramRelated ProgramHigh Frequency (HF) communications systems and radars are in widespread use around the world. Accurate standoff geolocation and characterization of these sources are difficult because of ionospheric variations, the high noise environment that exists at these frequencies, and ionospheric polarization rotation, multipath-induced signal fading, and simultaneous multiple angles-of-arrival. Recent advances in high dynamic range receivers, antenna techniques, adaptive signal processing, and ionospheric ray path prediction, along with improved measurement and modeling techniques suggest that a dramatic improvement in HF reception and geolocation is possible. The HFGeo Program aims to develop and prototype technology that will provide a dramatic improvement in the ability to geolocate and characterize HF emitters. Desired technical innovations include 1) the ability to accurately resolve multiple angles-of-arrival and polarization states through novel antenna concepts; 2) the ability to enhance signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal detection and source geolocation with multi-dimensional adaptive signal processing; and 3) the ability to accurately determine the state of the ionosphere. In later phases of the program, these technology innovations will be further developed and integrated into geolocation and source characterization applications.AntennaeAccurately resolve multiple angles-of-arrival and polarization states through novel antenna concepts_182bc7d4-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f003575.1SNR, Detection & GeolocationEnhance signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal detection and source geolocation with multi-dimensional adaptive signal processing_182bc874-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f003575.2IonosphereDetermine the state of the ionosphere._182bc9dc-149d-11e5-947e-e69316f003575.3Strengthening Human Adaptive Reasoning and Problem-Solving (SHARP)Test and validate interventions that have the potential to significantly improve human adaptive reasoning and problem-solving_1622d20e-14a0-11e5-be40-fbc716f003576Adam H. RussellProgram ManagerIARPA ICArUS ProgramRelated ProgramIARPA KRNS ProgramRelated ProgramIARPA MICrONS ProgramRelated ProgramAdaptive reasoning and problem-solving are increasingly valuable for information-oriented workplaces, where inferences from sparse, voluminous, or conflicting data must be drawn, validated, and communicated—often under stressful, time-sensitive conditions. In such contexts, one’s ability to accurately update one’s mental models, make valid conclusions, and effectively deploy attention and other cognitive resources is critical. Accordingly, optimizing an analyst’s adaptive reasoning could pay large dividends in the quality of their analytic conclusions and information products. Given adaptive reasoning tests’ high predictive value for performance and productivity, proven methods for strengthening adaptive reasoning and problem-solving could have significant benefits for society in general, as well as for individuals whose work is both analytical and cognitively demanding. Intriguingly, some recent research suggests that these capabilities may be strengthened, even among high-performing adults. Despite some promising results, however, there are methodological and practical shortcomings that currently limit the direct applicability of this research for the Intelligence Community. Therefore, the Strengthening Human Adaptive Reasoning and Problem-Solving (SHARP) Program is seeking to fund rigorous, high-quality research to address these limitations and advance the science on optimizing human adaptive reasoning and problem-solving. The goal of the program is to test and validate interventions that have the potential to significantly improve these capabilities, leading to improvements in performance for high-performing adults in information-rich environments. The research funded in this program will use innovative and promising approaches from a variety of fields with an emphasis on collecting data from a set of cognitive, behavioral, and biological outcome measures in order to determine convergent validity of successful approaches. It is anticipated that successful teams will be multidisciplinary, and may include (but not be limited to) research expertise in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience; psychology and psychometrics; human physiology and neurophysiology; structural and functional imaging; molecular biology and genetics; human subjects research design, methodology, and regulations; mathematical statistics and modeling; data visualization and analytics._1622d416-14a0-11e5-be40-fbc716f00357Standoff ILluminator for Measuring Absorbance and Reflectance Infrared Light Signatures (SILMARILS)Develop a portable system for real-time standoff detection and identification of trace chemical residues on surfaces _1622d510-14a0-11e5-be40-fbc716f003577Kristy DeWittProgram ManagerThe SILMARILS program aims to develop a portable system for real-time standoff detection and identification of trace chemical residues on surfaces using active infrared spectroscopy at a 30 meter range. Program goals include: high chemical sensitivity and specificity across a broad range of target classes; effective operation in a real-world environment accounting for issues such as gas phase and surface-adsorbed clutter, varying substrates, temperature, humidity, indoor/outdoor background light; a system that is eye-safe and has a visually unobservable illumination beam; human-portable size and power draw commensurate with limited-duration battery operation; and a rapid scan rate._1622d600-14a0-11e5-be40-fbc716f00357Signal Location in Complex Environments (SLiCE)Enhance geolocation in complex environments_1622d74a-14a0-11e5-be40-fbc716f003578Chris ReedProgram ManagerIARPA HFGeo ProgramRelated ProgramSLiCE focuses on enhancing geolocation in complex environments primarily from long standoff receivers. The challenges addressed include low signal power, emitter motion, multipath propagation, and dense interference environments._1622d83a-14a0-11e5-be40-fbc716f00357Tools for Recognizing Useful Signals of Trustworthiness (TRUST)Assess whom can be trusted under certain conditions and contexts_1622d934-14a0-11e5-be40-fbc716f003579Adam H. RussellProgram ManagerIARPA SHARP ProgramRelated ProgramThe Tools for Recognizing Useful Signals of Trustworthiness (TRUST) Program seeks to significantly advance the IC's capabilities to assess whom can be trusted under certain conditions and in contexts relevant to the IC, potentially even in the presence of stress and/or deception. The TRUST Program seeks to conduct high-risk, high-payoff research that will bring together sensing AND validated protocols to develop tools for assessing trustworthiness by using one's own ("Self") signals to assess another's ("Other") trustworthiness under certain conditions and in specific contexts, which can be measured in ecologically-valid, scientifically-credible experimental protocols. Related Challenge: INSTINCT Challenge_1622da2e-14a0-11e5-be40-fbc716f003572015-06-16http://www.iarpa.gov/index.php/about-iarpa/smart-collectionOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net