Opportunity Information: Apply for DARPA BAA 11 40
Apply for DARPA BAA 11 40
- The DARPA Information Innovation Office in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Broad Operational Language Translation (BOLT)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.910 Research and Technology Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 10, 2011 and posted on Apr 4, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 2, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
Broad Operational Language Translation (BOLT) is a DARPA Information Innovation Office research and development funding opportunity focused on major advances in human language technology. The program is aimed at building capabilities that can translate multiple foreign languages across all genres, not just narrow or well-structured domains. In addition to producing translations, the effort is expected to support retrieving and extracting useful information from translated content and to enable practical bilingual communication in either speech or text, meaning the technology should help people interact across language barriers in realistic operational settings.
The technical emphasis is on high-impact, innovative approaches that could deliver revolutionary gains in translation quality, robustness, and usability. DARPA is explicitly looking for work that pushes beyond incremental tuning of existing systems. Proposals centered mainly on evolutionary improvements to the current state of practice are excluded, signaling that the agency wants new ideas, novel architectures, or fundamentally different methods that can materially change what is possible in machine translation, multilingual information access, and speech/text-mediated communication.
The opportunity was released as DARPA BAA 11-40 under CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development). It is categorized under science and technology and other R&D and allows for multiple funding instruments, including cooperative agreements and other procurement contracts. Cost sharing or matching is not required. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may apply, subject to any additional eligibility details contained in the full announcement.
Key dates associated with the posting show it was originally posted on April 4, 2011, with an original and current closing date of August 2, 2011, and an archive date of September 1, 2011. The primary point of contact listed for access issues with the full announcement is Dr. Joseph Olive, Program Manager and I2O BAA Coordinator. The full solicitation materials were made available via the FedBizOpps link referenced in the announcement.
Broad Operational Language Translation (BOLT) - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the Broad Operational Language Translation (BOLT) opportunity?
BOLT is a DARPA Information Innovation Office (I2O) research and development funding opportunity focused on major advances in human language technology, particularly translation and practical bilingual communication.
2) What agency is sponsoring this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is sponsored by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), specifically within DARPA's Information Innovation Office (I2O).
3) What is the main goal of the BOLT program?
The goal is to build capabilities that can translate multiple foreign languages across all genres (not just narrow, well-structured domains) and support realistic operational use.
4) Does BOLT focus only on text translation?
No. The program description includes enabling practical bilingual communication in either speech or text.
5) What does "across all genres" mean in this context?
Based on the description provided, it means translation capabilities should work beyond narrow or highly structured domains, covering a wide range of content types and real-world language usage.
6) Besides translation, what other capabilities are expected?
In addition to producing translations, the effort is expected to support retrieving and extracting useful information from translated content and enabling practical bilingual communication in realistic operational settings.
7) What technical approach is DARPA looking for?
DARPA is looking for high-impact, innovative approaches that could deliver revolutionary gains in translation quality, robustness, and usability.
8) Are incremental improvements to existing machine translation systems acceptable?
No. The opportunity explicitly excludes proposals centered mainly on evolutionary improvements to the current state of practice, indicating DARPA wants approaches that go beyond incremental tuning of existing systems.
9) What kinds of advances does DARPA want to see?
The description signals interest in new ideas, novel architectures, or fundamentally different methods that can materially change what is possible in machine translation, multilingual information access, and speech/text-mediated communication.
10) What is the solicitation number and classification information for this opportunity?
The opportunity was released as DARPA BAA 11-40 under CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development). It is categorized under science and technology and other R&D.
11) What funding instruments may be used?
The announcement allows for multiple funding instruments, including cooperative agreements and other procurement contracts.
12) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing or matching is not required.
13) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may apply, subject to any additional eligibility details contained in the full announcement.
14) Where can applicants find the full solicitation materials?
The full solicitation materials were made available via the FedBizOpps link referenced in the announcement.
15) What are the key dates for this opportunity?
The posting shows it was originally posted on April 4, 2011. The original and current closing date is August 2, 2011. The archive date is September 1, 2011.
16) Is this opportunity still open based on the dates provided?
No. Based on the provided closing date (August 2, 2011) and archive date (September 1, 2011), the opportunity is no longer open.
17) Who is the point of contact for issues accessing the full announcement?
The primary point of contact listed for access issues is Dr. Joseph Olive, Program Manager and I2O BAA Coordinator.
18) What research areas does BOLT cover according to the description?
It covers machine translation for multiple foreign languages across all genres, multilingual information access (retrieval and extraction from translated content), and bilingual communication in speech and text for realistic operational settings.
19) Does the description specify which foreign languages are included?
No. The description states "multiple foreign languages" but does not list specific languages in the information provided.
20) Does the description specify performance targets or evaluation metrics?
No. The information provided emphasizes revolutionary gains in quality, robustness, and usability but does not include specific quantitative targets or named evaluation metrics.
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