The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is a separately organized agency within the Department of Defense (DoD) under a Director, appointed by the Secretary of Defense. The Agency engages in advanced basic and applied research and development projects essential to DoD, and conducts prototype projects that embody technology that may be incorporated into joint programs, programs in support of deployed US forces, or selected Military Department programs. In this regard, the Agency arranges for, manages and directs the performance of work connected with assigned advanced projects by the Military Departments, other government agencies, individuals, private business entities, and educational or research institutions, as appropriate; recommends through the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) to the Secretary of Defense assignment of advanced projects to the agency; keeps the USD(R&E), the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (OJCS), the Military Departments, and other DoD agencies informed on significant new developments and technological advances within assigned projects; and other such functions as the Secretary of Defense or USD(R&E) may assign.