Request for Information

Grand Challenges of the 21st Century

DARPA-SN-13-01
October 9, 2012

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

675 North Randolph Street
Arlington, VA 22203-2114

Request for Information (RFI)

Grand Challenges of the 21st Century
I. Introduction
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Office of Science and
Technology Policy (OSTP) are seeking to identify Grand Challenges ambitious yet achievable
goals that capture the publics imagination and that harness innovation and breakthroughs in
science and technology. Specifically, DARPA and OSTP seek suggestions for clear, identifiable
goals for the scientific and technical communities. These Grand Challenges can help solve an
important societal problem by serving as a North Star to provide focus and cohesion among
disparate but potentially complementary research and development efforts.
Grand Challenges are defined such that achievement is concrete and measurable. Projects such
as putting a human on the moon or sequencing the human genome are good examples of
Grand Challenges with concrete, measurable outcomes. The consequences of these
achievements will often affect many different disciplines, and the full ramifications may not be
known for decades to come. Grand Challenges are not restricted to projects to be undertaken
under Government sponsorship, but will likely be tackled by groups both within and outside the
United States, using both public and private resources. Because of the cross-disciplinary nature
of the most vexing problems facing the world today, Grand Challenges that are simply posed,
inspirational, and easy to visualize for a variety of audiences are desired.
More information on Grand Challenges may be found
at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/grandchallenges-speech04122012.pdf.
II. Request for Information
DARPA and OSTP request suggestions for Grand Challenges to inspire and motivate the
scientific and technical communities, as well as the general public, to tackle solving problems of
potential societal importance. Submissions are encouraged from a wide variety of diverse
perspectives young and old, scientist and layperson, domestic and international. A selected
set of responses may be featured on the OSTP and DARPA web pages, or otherwise promoted
by OSTP or DARPA.
Of particular interest are Grand Challenges that have far-reaching potential societal impact,
require leap-ahead advances in scientific and technical abilities, have a well-defined finish
point, and are compelling and easy to communicate to a broad set of audiences.
Grand Challenges as described herein are not necessarily related to potential prize
competitions and are not to be confused with the DARPA Grand Challenge.

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DARPA-SN-13-01 Grand Challenges of the 21 Century RFI

III. Submission Format

Every submission should include the following sections. Submissions containing proprietary
data should have the cover page and each page containing proprietary data marked
appropriately. Submissions should not exceed 35 MB.
A. Cover Page (1 page)
Respondent Name
Organization (if applicable)
Phone number
Email address
B. Presentation of Idea (1 page)
The idea description and rationale may include answers to some or all of the following
questions:
What is the audacious, achievable, and inspirational goal statement that
summarizes the Grand Challenge and how will it capture the publics imagination?
What success metrics could be tracked to measure progress towards the achieving
the Grand Challenge, and how would success be demonstrated?
What current trends support the feasibility of the goal? What are the likely
scientific or technical breakthroughs and milestones required to achieve the goal?
What would your role or your organizations role be in achieving the Grand
Challenge?
What organizations would need to participate in the effort (academic, Federal
agencies, state and local government, national labs, foundations, institutes, private
sector corporations, or the general public)?
C. Additional materials may be provided as links or included in the submission in any
format (text, images, video, etc.). Additional materials should not exceed 20 pages or
60 seconds of video.
IV. Submission Instructions
All submissions should be emailed as attachments to DARPA-SN-13-01@darpa.mil by January 1,
2013. Submissions should not exceed 35 MB or the DARPA email system may reject the
message as too large.
V. Disclaimer
This RFI is issued solely for information gathering purposes; this RFI does not constitute a
formal solicitation for proposals. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are
not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. DARPA will
not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI. Respondents are
advised that DARPA is under no obligation to provide feedback to respondents with respect to

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DARPA-SN-13-01 Grand Challenges of the 21 Century RFI

any information submitted under this RFI. Response to this RFI is strictly voluntary and is not
required to propose to any subsequent solicitations on this topic, if any.
Submissions may be reviewed by: the Government (DARPA and partners); Federally Funded
R&D Centers; and Scientific Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors. All
personnel with access to the submissions will be covered by a legally-binding non-disclosure
agreement.
VI. Point of Contact
Inquiries should be submitted via email to DARPA-SN-13-01@darpa.mil.

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DARPA-SN-13-01 Grand Challenges of the 21 Century RFI