President Biden Proposes Creating Two DARPA-Like Agencies

Originally published April 12, 2021 at The Scientist, by Lisa Winter

President Joe Biden released his request for discretionary funding for fiscal year 2022 on Friday (April 9), with a number of proposed increases to science organizations. On top of a boost to existing research and development programs, Biden also calls for the creation of high-risk, high-reward agencies that would operate in much the same way as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), but would tackle problems in health and climate.

DARPA is known for developing technologies for defense-related problems through visionary “blue sky” thinking that isn't confined to what is immediately realistic or attainable. It is unburdened by the typical constraints of grant applications and bureaucratic red tape, giving its researchers the liberty to pursue projects that might not have a guaranteed payoff.

As part of a proposed $9 billion increase to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Biden administration has earmarked $6.5 billion to create the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health (ARPA-H) modeled after DARPA. Initially, the agency would focus on innovative treatments in cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a White House press release.

In the same vein, Biden asks that the Department of Energy develop ARPA-C, which would focus on the climate crisis. This agency would share its $1 billion funding with ARPA-E, founded in 2009 to search for cutting-edge energy solutions. President Biden has called for net-zero carbon emissions in the US by the year 2050.

“We are tapping into the imagination, talent, and grit of America’s innovators, scientists, and workers to spearhead a national effort that empowers the United States to lead the world in tackling the climate crisis,” National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy said in a February press release when the concept of ARPA-C was introduced.

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