Latest news with #DARPA
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Pentagon official: Cutting off Harvard project endangers national security
A Pentagon official begged her bosses not to cancel a Harvard University grant aimed at curtailing biological threats, arguing that pulling it would pose 'grave and immediate harm to national security.' The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) director of contracting said the grant funded a Harvard research team that had reached a 'pivotal juncture' in a project addressing the 'biological threat landscape,' according to Monday court filings in the university's lawsuit against the Trump administration, first reported by The Boston Globe. The official was unnamed in the filings. Harvard, which is suing the administration over roughly $2.5 billion in frozen funding, has declared the cuts to be illegal and haphazard and obtained government records to prove their case. In the filing, the lawyers detail the risk of cutting off funding to projects related to public health and national security concerns. In one instance, Harvard researchers were working on a military project known as the AMPHORA program, aimed at increasing awareness of emerging biological threats, when the Department of Defense (DOD) on May 12 informed the university it had terminated the grant funding the effort, according to a memorandum filed by Harvard's lawyers in federal court. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the cancellation of that military grant, as well as others, the filing notes. After learning the DOD grant was terminated by senior officials, the DARPA contracting official 'pleaded to save it, noting that Harvard was the 'critical' and 'top performing team' on the program, and that '[i]nadequate knowledge of the biological threat landscape poses grave and immediate harm to national security' and threatens military servicemember safety,' the memo states. 'The Government's thoughtless and retaliatory strategy meant that contracting officers and policy experts took a back seat in deciding whether to terminate grants that continued to benefit the public.' The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment from The Hill as to whether the Harvard grant for the AMPHORA program remains terminated. The White House has frozen the funding after Harvard would not acquiesce to demands such as changing its hiring and admissions process and eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The Trump administration accuses the university of being 'deliberately indifferent' to antisemitic harassment on campus, favoring others over white people and men in its hiring and admissions processes and creating a culture intolerant of conservative viewpoints. Harvard's lawyers, meanwhile, say the administration has failed to acknowledge 'the dozens of steps Harvard has taken and committed to take to address antisemitism and bias.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
Pentagon official: Cutting off Harvard project endangers national security
A Pentagon official begged her bosses not to cancel a Harvard University grant aimed at curtailing biological threats, arguing that pulling it would pose 'grave and immediate harm to national security.' The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) director of contracting said the grant funded a Harvard research team that had reached a 'pivotal juncture' in a project addressing the 'biological threat landscape,' according to Monday court filings in the university's lawsuit against the Trump administration, first reported by The Boston Globe. The official was unnamed in the filings. Harvard, which is suing the administration over roughly $2.5 billion in frozen funding, has declared the cuts to be illegal and haphazard and obtained government records to prove their case. In the filing, the lawyers detail the risk of cutting off funding to projects related to public health and national security concerns. In one instance, Harvard researchers were working on a military project known as the AMPHORA program, aimed at increasing awareness of emerging biological threats, when the Department of Defense (DOD) on May 12 informed the university it had terminated the grant funding the effort, according to a memorandum filed by Harvard's lawyers in federal court. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the cancellation of that military grant, as well as others, the filing notes. After learning the DOD grant was terminated by senior officials, the DARPA contracting official 'pleaded to save it, noting that Harvard was the 'critical' and 'top performing team' on the program, and that '[i]nadequate knowledge of the biological threat landscape poses grave and immediate harm to national security' and threatens military servicemember safety,' the memo states. 'The Government's thoughtless and retaliatory strategy meant that contracting officers and policy experts took a back seat in deciding whether to terminate grants that continued to benefit the public.' The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment from The Hill as to whether the Harvard grant for the AMPHORA program remains terminated. The White House has frozen the funding after Harvard would not acquiesce to demands such as changing its hiring and admissions process and eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The Trump administration accuses the university of being 'deliberately indifferent' to antisemitic harassment on campus, favoring others over white people and men in its hiring and admissions processes and creating a culture intolerant of conservative viewpoints. Harvard's lawyers, meanwhile, say the administration has failed to acknowledge 'the dozens of steps Harvard has taken and committed to take to address antisemitism and bias.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Harvard battles $2.5 Billion US funding cut, cites risks to national security, public health research
Harvard University on Monday asked a federal judge to issue a summary judgment ordering the unfreezing of $2.5 billion in federal research funding that has been halted by the Trump administration, which Harvard says is illegal. The university contends that the freeze jeopardizes over 950 critical research projects, including those related to national security and public health. In a filing with the US district court in Boston, Harvard argues that the funding suspension is both unlawful and politically motivated. The university asserts that the freeze violates its rights to free speech and due process and undermines academic independence. Trump has been attempting to force change at Harvard and other top American universities, because of his view that these have been captured by the left-wing woke and has led to the rise of antisemitism. The Trump administration has not yet responded to this latest move by the university. US district judge Allison Burroughs has set July 21 for the arguments on the Harvard case seeking summary judgement, which refers to a request to the judge to decide a dispute without a trial to determine material facts. Impact on vital research The funding freeze affects a wide array of research initiatives, including studies on cancer, infectious diseases, and biological threat awareness for the department of defence. A defence advanced research projects agency (DARPA) official highlighted in court documents that canceling a $12 million grant for biological threat research at Harvard could pose "grave and immediate harm to national security." Additionally, the freeze threatens research in areas such as pediatric HIV and dark energy, potentially hindering advancements in both medical and scientific fields. Political tensions and retaliation claims Harvard's legal challenge comes amid escalating tensions with the Trump administration. The university alleges that the funding freeze is a retaliatory measure following its refusal to comply with a list of demands from the White House, which included changes to hiring practices and student discipline regulations. Besides, multiple other investigations have been opened into Harvard, including some looking into threats against Jewish students and faculty after pro-Palestine protests broke out following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Further escalating the situation, the administration attempted to revoke Harvard's certification under the student and exchange visitor program, effectively barring the university from enrolling international students. This move was temporarily halted by a federal judge, but it has added to the university's concerns about political interference in academic affairs.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Valid Eval Successfully Demonstrates End-to-End Automated Acquisition Platform for DARPA
ARLINGTON, Va., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Valid Eval, a provider of secure SaaS platform solutions that manage complex group evaluations, today announced the successful completion of a live demonstration for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The purpose-built platform showcased how systems-level efficiency, transparency, and objectivity drive measurable impact on the entire acquisition process through optimized decision-making. "This demonstration continues to set the stage for broader adoption of a modernized federal acquisition approach using automated, evidence-based source-selection," said Adam Rentschler, CEO and co-founder of Valid Eval. "Accelerating outcomes with greater transparency, speed, and efficiency while providing actionable feedback to participants enhances trust and accountability within a complex process." Valid Eval successfully supported DARPA's Biological Technologies Office for its "AIBTO" event in December 2024 during which 447 offerors applied and 77 pitched live in a single day event with on-the-spot contract awards. With a proven track record of supporting acquisition teams across civilian and defense agencies, Valid Eval is uniquely positioned to support DARPA and other government entities to modernize contracting processes at speed and scale. About Valid Eval Valid Eval is an online evaluation system for organizations that make and defend tough decisions. Its secure SaaS platform works efficiently at virtually any scale to allow customers in the private and government sectors to involve a wide range of applicants, subjects, domain experts, and judges in evaluation and decision-making processes —all with an unprecedented degree of transparency, efficiency and accountability that builds trust in the process. Combining best practices from the learning sciences and systems engineering, Valid Eval delivers defensible, data driven results and provides robust reporting tools that help measure and monitor performance and demonstrate mission alignment. Learn more at: Media Inquiries Sandra Perez sandra@ View original content: SOURCE Valid Eval Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
D-Wave or Rigetti: Which Quantum Hardware Stock Should You Choose?
D-Wave Quantum QBTS and Rigetti Computing RGTI, both with their "hardware-first" approach in quantum computing, have been in the spotlight in recent times. Both companies recently shared their first-quarter 2025 updates. D-Wave Quantum posted a 61% jump in first-quarter commercial revenues and demonstrated its 360-qubit Advantage2 prototype, signaling momentum in hybrid quantum-classical systems. Rigetti Computing, on the other hand, has been gaining from research and government-backed projects. The company advanced to Stage A of DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, secured a $5.48M AFOSR grant to improve chip fabrication, and is part of several UK Quantum Mission awards to enhance error correction. As these two companies pursue different paths, one commercial and one research-driven, it's an ideal time for investors to take a closer look at long-term positioning in the quantum space. Growing Hardware Sales Drive Margins for QBTS: D-Wave Quantum reported first-quarter 2025 revenues of $15 million, a staggering 509% increase from $2.5 million in the year-ago period. This leap was primarily driven by the sale of the Advantage2 annealing quantum system to Julich Supercomputing Center, which contributed approximately $12.6 million to the top line. The company also demonstrated strong operational leverage. GAAP gross profit soared to $13.9 million from just $1.7 million a year earlier, while non-GAAP gross profit reached $14 million compared to $1.9 million in the prior-year quarter. These gains elevated D-Wave Quantum's GAAP gross margin to 92.5%, up from 67.3%, and non-GAAP gross margin to 93.6%, up from 76.6%. Net Loss and Adjusted EBITDA Loss Significantly Narrow: D-Wave Quantum posted a first-quarter 2025 net loss of $5.4 million, or 2 cents per share, its lowest since going public in 2022 and a sharp improvement from a loss of $17.3 million (11 cents per share) in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed by 53% year over year to $6.1 million in the last-reported quarter. These improvements reflect greater operational efficiency and position D-Wave on a clear path toward profitability with less capital than many of its quantum computing peers. Robust Cash Position With No Short-term Debt: At the end of March 2025, D-Wave had $304.3 million in cash and also repaid its secured term loan in the first quarter of 2024. The company's debt-to-capital ratio dropped to 12.9%, down from 32.7% in the fourth quarter of 2024, highlighting a significantly improved capital structure. The company also raised $146.2 million through equity in the first quarter and retained $37.8 million in issuance capacity under its equity line of credit. This strong liquidity position provides strategic flexibility and supports ongoing investments in R&D and go-to-market initiatives. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Selection for DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative: Rigetti was selected for Phase A of DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, standing out among over 100 applicants as one of only three superconducting quantum companies chosen, alongside International Business Machines IBM and Hewlett Packard HPE. The six-month, $1 million award will support Rigetti's work on a scalable quantum computing concept that combines its multi-chip architecture with error correction codes. Success in this phase could lead to larger future funding and greater industry recognition, reinforcing Rigetti's role in building next-generation, fault-tolerant quantum systems.$5.48M AFOSR Award to Advance Chip Fabrication: Rigetti secured a $5.48 million award from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) to develop its Alternating-Bias Assisted Annealing (ABAA) chip fabrication technology. Leading a consortium with top universities and labs, Rigetti aims to reduce defects in superconducting qubits and improve chip performance. This work is key to building more reliable and scalable quantum processors, strengthening Rigetti's position in next-generation quantum hardware.$35M Strategic Investment by Quanta Computer Boosts Liquidity: Quanta Computer's $35 million equity investment at $11.59 per share boosts Rigetti's cash position to $237.7 million as of April 30, 2025. This funding strengthens Rigetti's balance sheet, extends its operating runway, and enables accelerated R&D without near-term dilution. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Year to date, shares of D-Wave Quantum have surged 123.8%, handily outperforming the broader Internet Software industry's 4.9% gain and the S&P 500's 1.3% dip. Contrastingly, Rigetti Computing underperformed all three with an 8.2% decline in its stock price during the same period. Rigetti has underperformed year to date due to a steep 51% year-over-year decline in first-quarter revenues, which were also below expectations, highlighting weak demand for its quantum solutions despite a headline profit. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research D-Wave Quantum, a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock, presents a stronger investment case at this moment than Rigetti Computing, a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) stock. D-Wave recorded a 56% year-over-year revenue jump in the first quarter, record bookings and rising enterprise adoption, driven by its hybrid solver services and momentum toward breakeven. In contrast, Rigetti reported a 51% year-over-year revenue decline and projected flat-to-lower revenues for the full year, reflecting ongoing customer transition and slower-than-expected uptake of its quantum hardware. While RGTI has secured significant government and strategic funding, including DARPA and AFOSR grants and a $35M investment from Quanta Computer, its current financial performance lags materially. As such, QBTS' superior growth trajectory, commercialization pace and strong customer adoption position it as the better buy right now. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Rigetti Computing, Inc. (RGTI) : Free Stock Analysis Report D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
