High-risk/High-payoff research
is about taking risks rather than going for quick wins or sure bets. In high-risk research, failures are inevitable. Failure is acceptable so long as the failure isn’t due to a lack of technical or programmatic integrity and the results are fully documented.
IARPA brings the best minds
in the field to bear on our research by sponsoring full and open competition to the greatest extent possible. We will not start a research program without both:
- a powerful research idea
- an exceptional person to manage the program
IARPA holds high standards for rigor in our research, and all IARPA programs are structured according to the Heilmeier framework. As a result, technical excellence and technical truth are the hallmarks of all IARPA programs.
Modeled after
the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), IARPA was established in 2006 with the mandate to:
- conduct cross-community research
- target new opportunities and innovations
- generate revolutionary capabilities
IARPA was tasked to accomplish these objectives by drawing upon the technical and operational expertise that resides within the intelligence agencies. This ensured IARPA’s programs will be uniquely designed to anticipate the long-term needs of, and provide research and technical capabilities for, the Intelligence Community.