ARO Year in Review 2025 honors 75 years of shaping scientific discovery

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Army Research Office released “ARO Year in Review Fiscal Year 2025,” commemorating 75 years of creating, directing and protecting scientific discovery for the Army and highlighting fiscal 2025 extramural research achievements.

Founded in 1951 and based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ARO is the Army's extramural basic research arm operating under U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. For 75 years, ARO’s team of scientists, engineers and staff has shaped scientific discovery by bringing together the Army, universities, industry and research organizations to pursue high-risk, high-payoff research that can enable future Army capabilities.

“ARO Year in Review Fiscal Year 2025” highlights ARO’s continued focus on scientific breakthroughs that keep the Army at the forefront of technological innovation.

“As ARO celebrates 75 years of discovery, the scientific big bets in our FY25 portfolio prove we are actively setting the tempo for the future of warfare,” said Dr. Purush Iyer, ARO acting director. “Our purpose remains absolute: deliver transformational science to the American Soldier and ensure the U.S. Army remains the most advanced fighting force in the world.”

During fiscal 2025, ARO awarded 309 new funding agreements across its extramural research portfolio. The annual reportprovides an overview of ARO’s investment strategy and program funding and features 45 success stories spanning biotechnology, energy, autonomy, quantum science, advanced materials and electromagnetic sciences. Each success story describes the basic research challenge, key breakthroughs and potential Army applications.

ARO serves as the Army’s front door to universities, building relationships with more than 7,000 researchers at approximately 300 institutions of higher learning. Through these partnerships, ARO program managers guide long-range scientific investments, connect emerging research opportunities to Army priorities and help create pathways for discoveries to transition into future capabilities.

In addition to advancing science, ARO is investing in the people who will sustain the Army’s future technological edge. During fiscal 2025, ARO engaged nearly 3,500 high school, undergraduate and graduate students through education, outreach and research programs designed to help build the future science and engineering workforce and strengthen the U.S. industrial base.

Together, these investments reflect ARO’s long-term approach to anticipating future operational challenges through foundational research, strategic partnerships and talent development.

“To survive and dominate in this contested environment, we must push technological boundaries across the entire scientific spectrum,” Iyer said. “As ARO marks its 75th anniversary, we continue our approach of proactively seeking disruptive scientific breakthroughs and innovation, placing calculated, high-impact scientific big bets for the future Army.”

Learn more about the Army Research Office.

About DEVCOM Army Research Office Leveraging its 75-year history, the DEVCOM Army Research Office is the Army’s principal office for university research and partnerships, shaping scientific discovery worldwide for the Army of the future. As part of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, ARO designs and directs bold science, builds partnerships, and cultivates talent to initiate the future operational superiority of our Soldiers, Army and nation.

For more information, visit the DEVCOM Army Research Office webpage on the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory website at, arl.army.mil/who-we-are/aro/.

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