The United Kingdom‘s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), a body modeled on the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), has signaled a robust outlook on its long-term viability through the appointment of a second cohort of program leaders and the unveiling of novel program areas. This development, occurring as ARIA enters its third year of operation, suggests a degree of assurance regarding its future financial backing.
Conceived by Dominic Cummings, a former advisor to the Prime Minister, ARIA was formally announced in March 2021, accompanied by a budgetary allocation of £800 million. The agency’s foundational principle is to emulate DARPA’s success in fostering high-risk, high-reward research that can lead to transformative technological advancements. DARPA’s historical achievements include the development of ARPAnet, a precursor to the internet, underscoring the potential impact of such an agency.
However, ARIA’s long-term funding prospects came under scrutiny in the autumn of the previous year. The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee raised concerns amidst a period of significant fiscal constraints facing the Labour government. A member of the upper chamber emphasized that ARIA projected its initial funding to last until the end of the 2025/26 financial year. Beyond this timeframe, the agency’s financial future was contingent upon the outcome of the comprehensive five-year spending review, anticipated in June.
At the time of the committee’s inquiry, ARIA’s chair, Matt Clifford, expressed optimism, stating that the agency was “starting from a position of strength in having broad cross-party support right from inception,” and that the multi-year spending review would be a critical juncture for ARIA.
Despite these uncertainties surrounding future funding, ARIA has now demonstrated forward momentum by announcing its second group of program directors who will spearhead research in newly defined subject areas. Simultaneously, the agency has released new funding opportunities, indicating an active phase of research commissioning.
In a recent interview with the Financial Times, ARIA’s chief executive, Ilan Gur, characterized these developments as “a recognition that we’ve grown confident enough that we’re able to unlock these new areas and communities of researchers.” He further elaborated that the newly appointed program directors are “people coming from the coalface with the goal of looking across the research landscape at the big opportunities … [that are missing and] that the system probably won’t otherwise fund right now.”
Among the newly appointed program directors is Nathan Wolfe, whose research will focus on the intricate energy flows within living systems, specifically investigating mitochondria, the energy-generating components of cells. Another appointee, Nicole Wheeler, will leverage the capabilities of artificial intelligence to analyze vast quantities of published scientific literature to identify potential early warning signs relevant to biosecurity.
The newly announced funding opportunities encompass ambitious research endeavors. One area of focus involves the utilization of “programmable plants” to enhance food production. Another key area centers on fostering “a sustainable and thriving biosphere for future generations,” suggesting research aimed at addressing critical environmental challenges.
The appointment of new program leaders and the announcement of these forward-looking research programs underscore ARIA’s commitment to its mission of driving groundbreaking innovation. Despite the impending spending review that will determine its long-term financial security, these recent developments suggest a confident stride forward for the UK’s ambitious DARPA-inspired research agency. The agency’s ability to attract high-caliber researchers and define compelling research agendas will be crucial factors in demonstrating its value and securing continued investment in the years to come.
