Army Research Office

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Army Research Office (ARO) mission is to serve as the Army's principal extramural basic research agency in the engineering, physical, information and life sciences; developing and exploiting innovative advances to insure the Nation's technological superiority. Basic research proposals from educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private industry are competitively selected and funded. ARO's research mission represents the most long-range Army view for changes in its technology. ARO priorities fully integrate Army-wide, long-range planning for research, development, and acquisition. ARO executes its mission through conduct of an aggressive basic science research program on behalf of the Army so that cutting-edge scientific discoveries and the general store of scientific knowledge will be optimally used to develop and improve weapons systems that establish land force dominance. The ARO research program consists principally of extramural academic research efforts consisting of single investigator efforts, university-affiliated research centers, and specially tailored outreach programs. Each approach has its own objectives and set of advantages. Programs are formulated in consultation with the Army Research Laboratory Directorates; the Research, Development and Engineering Command's Research, Development and Engineering Centers; the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command; the Army Corps of Engineers; and the Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. The programs are also jointly coordinated and planned through the Defense Science and Technology Reliance process under the Basic Research Panel.

ARO Functions

  • Accelerating research results transition to applications in all stages of the research and development cycle.
  • Strengthening academic, industrial, and nonprofit laboratories research infrastructures which serve the Army.
  • Focus on those research topics that support technologies vital to the Army's future force, combating terrorism and new emerging threats.
  • Directing efforts in research areas relating to new opportunities for Army applications and which underscore the role of affordability and dual-use, especially as they provide new force operating capabilities and emerging threats.
  • Leveraging the science and technology of other defense and Government laboratories, academia and industry, and appropriate organizations of our allies.
  • Fostering scientist and engineer training in the disciplines critical to Army needs.
  • Actively seeking creative approaches to enhance education and research programs at historically black colleges and universities and at minority institutions.

For the Researcher

 

Last Update / Reviewed: July 6, 2012

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