UTICA, NY– SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) has been awarded a landmark $61.9
million contract by the U.S. Department of Defense to equip the U.S. Army with advanced,
data-driven analytical tools. The award, one of the largest in SUNY Poly’s history, solidifies the
institute’s position as a premier leader in applied artificial intelligence and defense-focused
innovation. The initiative aims to provide commanders with a decisive strategic advantage in
an increasingly volatile global landscape by integrating high-velocity AI into the Army’s core
decision-making frameworks.
“We are honored to receive this significant investment from the Department of Defense,” said
SUNY Poly President Dr. Winston Soboyejo. “This award reflects SUNY Poly’s research
excellence and our commitment to solving the nation’s most complex security challenges. By
working closely with our partners, we will deliver transformative technologies that ensure the
Army remains agile, informed, and ready for any multi-domain conflict.”
The first project under the contract – a $5 million FY25 Defense Appropriation that was
championed by U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and prioritized within
the Appropriations Committee by Senator Gillibrand – will focus on synchronizing operations
across land, air, space, and cyberspace. Led by SUNY Poly in collaboration with the University of
South Florida and the University System of Maryland, the Foundational Models and Modeling
Perseveration for AI research initiative will directly support the U.S. Army Transformation
Decision Analysis Center (TDAC).
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said, “I fought for and delivered $5 million in last year’s federal
budget to jumpstart this cutting-edge SUNY Poly initiative to enhance our national security and
SUNY Poly’s place at the forefront of AI research. Today, I am proud to say that this $61.9
million federal contract – one of the largest in SUNY Poly history – is proof positive that the
Department of Defense agrees with me. This award positions SUNY Poly as a national leader in
the development of safe and reliable AI capabilities to give our soldiers the edge on strategy,
decision-making, and success in challenging and dynamic environments.”
“The innovators at SUNY Poly represent the very best of New York’s ingenuity, and I am proud
to have helped secure the initial $5 million appropriation to support their cutting-edge work
under this $61.9 million contract,” said U.S. Senator Gillibrand, member of the Senate
Appropriations Committee. “Artificial intelligence will shape the future of our national security,
and the United States should be leading the world in developing it responsibly. I will continue
fighting to deliver the federal dollars needed to ensure SUNY Poly can keep leading the way
developing next-generation technology right here in New York.”
Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) said, “Congratulations to President Soboyejo and the
entire SUNY Poly community on this major Department of Defense award. SUNY Poly is a
regional priority and a national asset, and this $61.9 million contract reflects the talent,
research, and innovation happening across the Mohawk Valley. I’ve been proud to support
SUNY Poly’s growth and mission, and I’ll keep working to ensure the federal government
recognizes what we already know – that Central New York and the Mohawk Valley are vital to
America’s national defense, with world-class research and cutting-edge technology that helps
keep our country safe.”
The research will emphasize the integration of generative artificial intelligence, foundation
models, and advanced inference systems to simulate complex operational scenarios and
provide predictive insights. These tools will enable the Army to better assess risks, evaluate
strategies, and respond to evolving threats in both competitive and crisis environments.
The project will also explore a range of advanced capabilities, including synthetic data
generation, anomaly detection, and the use of large language models and time-series
foundation models to enhance situational awareness. Researchers will also focus on improving
the reliability and security of AI systems operating in adversarial and resource-constrained
environments, ensuring robust performance even under cyber threats or disrupted conditions.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY is at the forefront of advancing AI for the public
good and helping protect our nation and strengthen our democracy. I applaud SUNY Poly and
President Soboyejo for achieving this partnership and look forward to continuing our
groundbreaking research at SUNY Poly and throughout the SUNY System.”
A key component of the initiative involves simulating battlefield environments and enabling
spatial reasoning through the integration of generative AI and active inference models. These
innovations will allow military planners to evaluate complex scenarios before they unfold,
improving preparedness and reducing uncertainty in high-stakes decision-making.
“This work represents a major step forward in leveraging AI and machine learning to support
resilient and adaptive decision-making for the Army,” said Dr. Michael Carpenter, Vice
President for Research at SUNY Poly. “Our team is developing sophisticated models that can
synthesize vast amounts of data, generate realistic scenarios, and provide actionable
intelligence. These capabilities will be critical in helping the Army anticipate challenges and
maintain a strategic edge.”
Through this effort, SUNY Poly and its partners will contribute to the Army’s broader
modernization strategy, supporting the development of next-generation analytical tools that
inform readiness, capability development, and operational planning. For the past two years,
SUNY Poly researchers (Principal Investigator Dr. Bill Thistleton and Co-Principal Investigators
and contributors Dr. Arjun Singh, Dr. Amit Sangwan, Dr. Andrea Dziubek, Dr. Steve Schneider,
Dr. Mahmoud Badr, and Dr. Emilio Cobanera) have been developing white papers; meeting
with DoD program managers; actively aligning SUNY Poly’s research program with TDAC
interests; and collaborating side-by-side with TDAC scientists to develop a faster, data-driven
decision advantage for Army leadership to bolster U.S. national security.
“This landmark contract reinforces SUNY Poly’s role as a hub for impactful research and
innovation,” said President Soboyejo. “We are proud to contribute to technologies that
advance science and engineering, and strengthen national security and global stability.”
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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, located in Utica, N.Y., is a vibrant and inclusive community where
students, faculty, and staff are empowered through a forward-looking STEAM education and dynamic
campus experience. Founded in 1966, SUNY Poly is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary, marking
six decades of impact, innovation, and service to the Mohawk Valley and beyond. As New York State’s
premier public polytechnic, SUNY Poly fosters innovation and interdisciplinary learning across its four
colleges—Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Health Sciences—preparing graduates to lead
in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Guided by a bold vision for societal impact, SUNY Poly advances use-inspired research and
transformative collaborations that drive economic development, technological progress, and
humanitarian solutions—locally in the Mohawk Valley and globally across diverse communities. For
more info, visit http://www.sunypoly.edu.
