NEWS ARCHIVE
News Archive
Updates from Across the R&E Enterprise
Black History Month
February 2023
Every February, we celebrate Black History Month and honor the exceptional contributions Black Americans make to the United States and the Department of Defense.
Engineers Week 2023
February 23, 2023
In recognition of DiscoverE’s nationwide Engineers Week, the DoD Washington Headquarters Services, Facilities Services Directorate (WHS FSD) and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) will host an event February 23 at the Pentagon to celebrate the importance of engineering as a profession and the work engineers contribute to national defense.
Science and Technology Protection Course for the Federal Government Workforce
February 10, 2023
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (R&E) and Defense Acquisition University (DAU) announces the release of a new DAU course, “Fundamentals of Science and Technology Protection.” Developed in partnership between R&E’s Maintaining Technology Advantage (MTA) Directorate and DAU, this free, online training course provides Science and Technology (S&T) managers with guidance on how to conduct risk-informed protection planning and management to mitigate the threat of unwanted technology transfers of programs, projects, systems, and technical information to strategic competitors.
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DoD Announces U.S. Representative to NATO Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic Initiative
February 6, 2023
The Department of Defense announced that Jeffrey David Singleton, U.S. principal member and head of delegation to the NATO Science and Technology Board, will serve as the United States' representative to the Board of Directors for the NATO DIANA Initiative. Singleton's appointment follows the election of Barbara McQuiston, the previous U.S. representative to NATO DIANA, as the initiative's board chair.
2023 5G Challenge for Open RAN with an Eye Toward Future Base Modernization
February 2, 2023
The FutureG & 5G Office of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) announces the launch of the 2023 5G Challenge. Sponsored by the FutureG & 5G Office and led by the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences division of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) from the Department of Commerce, the 5G Challenge aims to stimulate and accelerate the adoption of open interfaces, interoperable components, and multi-vendor solutions toward the development of an open 5G ecosystem.
Online Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge Version 3.0 for Engineering Workforce
January 18, 2023
The DoD announced the release of the Online Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge (CRWS-BoK) Version 3.0. This free resource provides publicly available information to assist the public and private sector workforce in designing, engineering, and safeguarding CRWS. The Systems Security (SysSec) Directorate in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) first launched this vital resource in May 2021 for the systems security engineering (SSE) and science and technology (S&T) communities.
NATO Approves 2023 Strategic Direction for New Innovation Accelerator
January 3, 2023
On 12 December 2022, the Board of Directors of NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) agreed that energy resilience, secure information sharing and sensing and surveillance will be the priority areas of focus for DIANA’s work on Emerging and Disrupting Technologies (EDTs) in 2023.
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U.S. Representative to NATO DIANA Board of Directors Elected as Chair of the Board
January 3, 2023
Barbara McQuiston, the U.S. Representative to the Board of Directors for the NATO DIANA Initiative, has been elected Chair of the board, a critical role in helping the Alliance’s new technology innovation effort achieve Initial Operating Capability and setting its strategic direction.
Innovation Pathways website
December 15, 2022
The Department of Defense announced today significant updates to the Innovation Pathways website that will allow it to serve as a “one-stop shop” for learning how to deliver innovation to the DoD. Located at www.ctoinnovation.mil, this site serves as a gateway for industry, small businesses, students, universities, and other organizations within the Department itself to discover opportunities with DoD organizations and affiliate programs involved in research and development.
Microelectronic Commons Industry Day
December 2, 2022
The Microelectronics Commons is a national network that will create direct pathways to commercialization for US microelectronics researchers and designers from “lab to fab.” Join us for the Microelectronics Commons Industry Day
Winner of 2022 George F. Linsteadt Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer
November 18, 2022
The DoD Technology Transfer (T2) program recently announced the winner of the George F. Linsteadt Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer for Fiscal Year 2022. This year’s recipients are Alan Jaeger, Manager of the Office of Research and Technology Applications at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) and Director of the Naval Expeditions Agility Office (NavalX) Ventura Tech Bridge, and Mark Thompson, Manager of the Office of Research and Technology Applications at the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center.
Office of Strategic Capital (OSC)
December 1, 2022
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III today established the Office of Strategic Capital (OSC), a Department of Defense organization that will help build an enduring technological advantage by partnering with private capital providers.
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DoD Awards $59 Million in University Research Equipment Awards
November 22, 2022
The Department of Defense announced awards to 147 university researchers totaling $59 million under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). These awards will finance the purchase of research equipment at 77 institutions across 30 states in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, enabling universities to perform state-of-the-art research that augments current and develops new capabilities.
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Winner of 2022 George F. Linsteadt Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer
November 18, 2022
The DoD Technology Transfer (T2) program recently announced the winner of the George F. Linsteadt Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer for Fiscal Year 2022. This year’s recipients are Alan Jaeger, Manager of the Office of Research and Technology Applications at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) and Director of the Naval Expeditions Agility Office (NavalX) Ventura Tech Bridge, and Mark Thompson, Manager of the Office of Research and Technology Applications at the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center.
DoD Awards University of Notre Dame for Hypersonics Scramjet Research
October 24, 2022
The DoD announced today a three-year, $4.5 million research award to the University of Notre Dame to advance hypersonics technology. This award is sponsored by the Joint Hypersonic Transition Office (JHTO) through the University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics (UCAH). The research will focus on developing a system to extend scramjet propulsion capabilities, thereby enhancing operational durability and expanding operational range.
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Third Quarter Laboratory Scientist of the Quarter and STEM Advocate of the Quarter Awards
October 20, 2022
The DoD today named Dr. David Baker of the Army Research Laboratory as the Department’s Laboratory Scientist of the Quarter and Lt. Col. Andrew Lee of the U.S. Military Academy as the Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics Advocate of the Quarter.
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DoD Awards $4.5 Million to the Georgia Institute of Technology for Applied Hypersonics Research
October 6, 2022
The DoD announced today a three-year, $4.5 million research award to the Georgia Institute of Technology to advance hypersonics technology, with a focus on research into machine learning algorithms that can be employed for hypersonic systems. The goal of the research is to leverage high-fidelity hypersonic data and simulations to develop efficient models that can improve autonomous capabilities for hypersonics systems.
Tactical High-speed Offensive Ramjet for Extended Range (THOR-ER) Team Completes Ramjet Vehicle Test
October 5, 2022
The THOR-ER program team, a collaborative effort between the United States and Norway to develop a solid fuel ramjet (SFRJ) vehicle, achieved an important milestone on August 17, at Andøya in northern Norway. The test vehicle successfully fired several times, showing the viability of ramjet propulsion technology and demonstrating significant increases in effective range.
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Technology and Program Protection Guidebook to Assist Science and Technology Program Protection Efforts
October 4, 2022
DoD announces Technology & Program Protection Guidebook release, replacing Defense Acquisition Guidebook Chapter 9. Guidebook helps S&T engineers & managers effectively plan cyber, program & tech protection activities over defense acquisition lifecycle.
DoD Awards $4.5 Million to University of Virginia for Applied Hypersonics Research
October 4, 2022
The Department of Defense announced today a three-year, $4.5 million applied research award to the University of Virginia (UVA) to advance hypersonics technology, with a focus on engine design, maneuverability control, and operational resiliency. The goal of the work is to complete technology development and conduct individual component ground tests, culminating in an integrated scramjet ground test during the three-year period of performance.
Biotechnology Executive Order Will Advance DoD Biotechnology
September 14, 2022
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering welcomes the Biden Administration’s announcement of Executive Order (EO) “Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy.” This EO will bolster efforts by the Department of Defense (DoD) and other Federal agencies to ensure U.S. economic and national security by leveraging biotechnology to secure, strengthen, and diversify our domestic manufacturing supply chains of critical goods, products, and services.
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$27 million investment in HBCUs for Scientific Research in CTAs
September 13, 2022
The DoD today announced awards totaling $27 million to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to conduct research in defense critical technology areas. These competitive awards are funded through the DoD HBCU and Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) Research and Education Program and range up to $9 million for each institution.
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Awards for the 2022-2023 Cohort of the Minerva-United States Institute of Peace and Security Dissertation Fellows
September 12, 2022
The DoD announced today the selection of the 2022-2023 cohort of the Minerva-USIP Peace and Security Dissertation Fellows. Partnering with the USIP’s Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellowship program, this prestigious award received more than 80 applicants from 52 U.S. universities. Those chosen for the Peace and Security Scholar Fellowship show great potential to advance the peacebuilding and security fields and to positively influence policy and practice.
2022 Class of Laboratory-University Collaboration Initiative Fellows
September 7, 2022
The DoD announced today the 2022 class of Laboratory-University Collaboration Initiative (LUCI) Fellows. The LUCI Fellowship program supports collaboration between DoD laboratory scientists and DoD-funded academics, such as recipients of the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship or Principal Investigators (PIs) of a Multi-Disciplinary University Research Initiative award.
5G Challenge Stage Two Winners and Stage Three Contestants
August 11, 2022
WASHINGTON – Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) in Boulder, Colorado, in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DoD), announced 5G Challenge Stage Two winners and Stage Three contestants. This prize competition aims to accelerate the adoption of open interfaces, interoperable components, and multi-vendor solutions toward the development of an open 5G ecosystem.
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5G Challenge Stage Two Winners and Stage Three Contestants
August 11, 2022
WASHINGTON – Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) in Boulder, Colorado, in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DoD), announced 5G Challenge Stage Two winners and Stage Three contestants. This prize competition aims to accelerate the adoption of open interfaces, interoperable components, and multi-vendor solutions toward the development of an open 5G ecosystem.
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Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act
July 27, 2022
Statement by Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks on Senate Passage of the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act
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DoD Announces Second Quarter Laboratory Scientist of the Quarter and STEM Advocate of the Quarter Awards
July 21, 2022
Each of the winners will have an opportunity to present their work at an upcoming DoD Innovators Spotlight Series virtual webinar. These open-to-the-public webinars provide a web-based platform for attendees to meet these recognized awardees while learning about their cutting-edge work and best practices. To learn more about the DoD Innovators Spotlight Series and to register, visit
2022 Spotlight Series.
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DoD Announces First Set of Projects to Receive Funding From the Pilot Program to APFIT
July 19, 2022
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) announced the first set of projects to receive funding via the pilot program to Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT).
SDA Makes Awards for 28 Satellites to Build Tranche 1 Tracking Layer
July 18, 2022
National Defense Space Architecture Tracking Layer Accelerated
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Space Development Agency (SDA) today announced the award of two prototype agreements with a total potential value over $1.3 billion for the establishment of the Tranche 1 (T1) Tracking Layer, providing the initial missile warning/missile tracking warfighting capability of the National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA). These satellites will begin to launch in April 2025.
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Industry Engagement Day for the RDER
July 14, 2022
The DoD announced today an Industry Engagement Day event for the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) to be held at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU-APL) on July 26, 2022.
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National Defense Strategy
July 13, 2022
A classified version of the 2022 National Defense Strategy was provided to Congress on March 28, 2022, and an unclassified version will be available to the public in the coming weeks.
DoD Releases Online Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge Version 2.0 for Engineering Workforce
June 22, 2022
The Department of Defense announced today the release of the Online Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge (CRWS-BoK) Version 2.0. The Online CRWS-BoK provides information to assist the public and private sector workforces in designing, engineering, and safeguarding cyber resilient weapon systems.
DoD and NSF Kick-Off Resilient and Intelligent NextG Systems Program
June 27, 2022
The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced awards for the "Resilient and Intelligent NextG Systems” (RINGS) program on April 18. The RINGS program officially kicks off today. The Department of Defense is pleased to be a part of this unique, collaborative effort to expand public-private partnerships.
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DoD and National Spectrum Consortium Team for Open RAN Acceleration
June 6, 2022
The National Spectrum Consortium, with support from the Department of Defense (DoD), recently announced the release of a “Call for Whitepapers” to their membership requesting feedback and ideas from industry and academia that could help accelerate the development, manufacturing, and testing of 5G Open Radio Access Network ("Open RAN") technologies in the United States. The central goal of this outreach is to help identify obstacles to emerging or existing companies in accelerating the commercialization of Open RAN in the U.S.
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DoD and NTIA Select Final Contestants for 5G Challenge
May 23, 2022
The DoD and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (NTIA/ITS) announced the winning contestants in the 5G Challenge’s Preliminary Event: RAN Subsystem Interoperability on May 19, 2022.
DoD Announces First Quarter Laboratory Scientist of the Quarter and STEM Advocate of the Quarter Awards
May 20, 2022
The Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Science and Technology in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) is pleased to announce the first quarter Fiscal Year 2022 winners.
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DoD Announces Fiscal Year 2021 DEPSCoR Awards
May 13, 2022
The DoD announced today $14.6 million in DEPSCoR awards to 23 collaborative teams following two FY2021 competitions. DEPSCoR is a capacity-building program that is designed to strengthen the basic research infrastructure at institutions of higher education in under-utilized states/territories.
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DoD Hosts Ribbon-Cutting for 5G Smart Warehouse Network
May 4, 2022
The DoD 5G-NextG Initiative hosted a 5G Smart Warehouse Network ribbon-cutting ceremony at Naval Base Coronado last week.
Defense Department New Website to Navigate Innovation Opportunities
April 22, 2022
The Department of Defense announced today an “Innovation Pathways” website providing a “one-stop shop” for the DoD innovation ecosystem. Located at www.ctoinnovation.mil, the site serves as a gateway to the Department’s efforts to bring in new ideas and technology, with a special focus on students, universities, and businesses.
Space Development Agency Makes Awards for 126 Satellites to Build Tranche 1 Transport Layer
February 28, 2022
The Space Development Agency (SDA) today announced the awards of three prototype agreements worth approximately $1.8 billion to establish the foundation for Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL), a mesh network of 126 optically-interconnected space vehicles (SV) that will provide a resilient, low-latency, high-volume data transport communication system, and be ready for launch starting in September 2024.
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The OUSD(R&E) Deputy Director for Engineering released two guidebooks in February 2022
February 14, 2022
The Engineering of Defense Systems Guidebook and Systems Engineering Guidebook replace Chapter 3, Systems Engineering, of the Defense Acquisition Guidebook. The Engineering of Defense Systems Guidebook describes the activities, processes, and practices involved in the development of DoD systems. The guidebook aligns with the engineering disciplines covered in DoD Instruction 5000.88, Engineering of Defense Systems, and focuses on recommended engineering best practices for the DoD Adaptive Acquisition Framework acquisition pathways.
The Systems Engineering Guidebook provides systems engineering guidance and recommended best practices for defense acquisition programs. It is intended for Program Managers and Systems Engineers and may be tailored for programs in any of the DoD Adaptive Acquisition Framework pathways (DoD Instruction 5000.02). Programs can use the guidebook, along with other acquisition business resources, to plan and execute program systems engineering activities across the system life cycle.
See Engineering References for Program Offices for links to the guidebooks.
USD(R&E) Strategic Vision and Critical Technology Areas
February 2, 2022
The OUSD(R&E) will spearhead a National Defense Science and Technology strategy for the DoD, informed by the 2022 NDS and structured around three strategic pillars: mission focus, foundation building, and succeeding through teamwork. This technology strategy will chart a course for the United States' military to strengthen its technological superiority amidst a global race for technological advantage.
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DoD Announces Fourth Quarter Laboratory Scientist of the Quarter and STEM Advocate of the Quarter Awards
January 26, 2022
The Acting Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Research and Technology (DDRE(R&T)) in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) is pleased to announce the fourth quarter Fiscal Year 2021 winners.
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DoD Releases Updated Unmanned System Safety Engineering Precepts Guide for DoD Acquisition
January 25, 2022
DoD announced today release of an updated Unmanned System (UxS) Safety Engineering Precepts Guide for DoD Acquisition, dated August 2021, created by a joint effort of the DoD Offices of the Under Secretaries of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E) and Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S). The Guide was updated to better support Service safety reviews and the design and development of safe UxSs and associated firmware, hardware, and safety significant software.
Joint Hypersonic Transition Office Hosts First Hypersonic Workforce Event
January 19, 2022
The Joint Hypersonic Transition Office (JHTO) University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics (UCAH) hosted a student meet and greet at the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) SciTech Forum in San Diego, California, on January 5, 2022.
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Space Development Agency Makes Awards for 126 Satellites to Build Tranche 1 Transport Layer
February 28, 2022
The Space Development Agency (SDA) today announced the awards of three prototype agreements worth approximately $1.8 billion to establish the foundation for Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL), a mesh network of 126 optically-interconnected space vehicles (SV) that will provide a resilient, low-latency, high-volume data transport communication system, and be ready for launch starting in September 2024.
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The OUSD(R&E) Deputy Director for Engineering released two guidebooks in February 2022
February 14, 2022
The Engineering of Defense Systems Guidebook and Systems Engineering Guidebook replace Chapter 3, Systems Engineering, of the Defense Acquisition Guidebook. The Engineering of Defense Systems Guidebook describes the activities, processes, and practices involved in the development of DoD systems. The guidebook aligns with the engineering disciplines covered in DoD Instruction 5000.88, Engineering of Defense Systems, and focuses on recommended engineering best practices for the DoD Adaptive Acquisition Framework acquisition pathways.
The Systems Engineering Guidebook provides systems engineering guidance and recommended best practices for defense acquisition programs. It is intended for Program Managers and Systems Engineers and may be tailored for programs in any of the DoD Adaptive Acquisition Framework pathways (DoD Instruction 5000.02). Programs can use the guidebook, along with other acquisition business resources, to plan and execute program systems engineering activities across the system life cycle.
See Engineering References for Program Offices for links to the guidebooks.
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USD(R&E) Strategic Vision and Critical Technology Areas
February 2, 2022
The OUSD(R&E) will spearhead a National Defense Science and Technology strategy for the DoD, informed by the 2022 NDS and structured around three strategic pillars: mission focus, foundation building, and succeeding through teamwork. This technology strategy will chart a course for the United States' military to strengthen its technological superiority amidst a global race for technological advantage.
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DoD Announces Fourth Quarter Laboratory Scientist of the Quarter and STEM Advocate of the Quarter Awards
January 26, 2022
The Acting Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Research and Technology (DDRE(R&T)) in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) is pleased to announce the fourth quarter Fiscal Year 2021 winners.
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DoD Releases Updated Unmanned System Safety Engineering Precepts Guide for DoD Acquisition
January 25, 2022
DoD announced today release of an updated Unmanned System (UxS) Safety Engineering Precepts Guide for DoD Acquisition, dated August 2021, created by a joint effort of the DoD Offices of the Under Secretaries of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E) and Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S). The Guide was updated to better support Service safety reviews and the design and development of safe UxSs and associated firmware, hardware, and safety significant software.
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Joint Hypersonic Transition Office Hosts First Hypersonic Workforce Event
January 19, 2022
The Joint Hypersonic Transition Office (JHTO) University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics (UCAH) hosted a student meet and greet at the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) SciTech Forum in San Diego, California, on January 5, 2022.
2021 Defense Manufacturing Technology Achievement Awards
December 16, 2021
The Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program (DoD ManTech) and the Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel (JDMTP) recognized the hard work and outstanding performance of nominees and winners of the Defense Manufacturing Technology Achievement Awards (DMTAA) at the 2021 Defense Manufacturing Conference in Denver, Colorado from December 13-16. The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) ManTech Program in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering oversees the DoD ManTech Program and the JDMTP.
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DoD Kicks Off 5G Dynamic Spectrum Sharing Experimentation at Hill AFB
December 2, 2021
The Department of Defense hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the successful deployment of a private 5G cellular network at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Dec. 2, 2021. Led by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), and managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the project will evaluate the technical feasibility, methodologies, and utility of spectrum sharing and coexistence with diverse 5G networks in a band of vital importance to commercial industry.
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DoD Announced Awards of $20K each for the 2021-2022 Cohort of the Minerva-USIP Peace and Security Dissertation Fellows
November 10, 2021
The Department of Defense Minerva Research Initiative is pleased to announce the 2021-2022 cohort of the Minerva-USIP Peace and Security Dissertation Fellows. In partnership with the U.S. Institute of Peace’s Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellowship program, over 115 applicants from 88 U.S. universities applied for this prestigious award. Those chosen for the Peace and Security Scholar Fellowship show great potential to advance the peacebuilding and security fields and to positively influence policy and practice.
Fiscal Year 2021 George F. Linsteadt Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer
November 3, 2021
The Department of Defense (DoD) Technology Transfer (T2) program recently announced the George F. Linsteadt Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer winner for Fiscal Year 2021. The DoD has selected Dr. James D. Kearns, Technical Transfer Program Manager for the Office of Research and Technology Applications supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) 711th Human Performance Wing (711 HPW/XP), as part of the Plans and Programs Division, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
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DoD Announces Third Quarter Laboratory Scientist, STEM Advocate, and Technology Transfer Advocate Awards
November 3, 2021
The Acting Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Research and Technology (DDRE(R&T)) in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) is pleased to announce the third quarter Fiscal Year 2021 winners.
DoD Awards $46 Million in University Research Equipment Awards
October 29, 2021
Arlington, VA - The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced awards to 144 university researchers totaling $46 million under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). These grants will be provided to 81 institutions across 35 states in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022.
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DoD Awards a $321 Million 7-Year Extension to AIM Photonics
October 25, 2021
On September 29, 2021, the Department of Defense (DoD) awarded a $321 million, 7-year cooperative agreement to the Research Foundation for the State University of New York (RF SUNY) to continue its role leading the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics (AIM Photonics). AIM Photonics, headquartered at the Albany NanoTech Complex in New York, will continue to collaborate with public and private entities to advance U.S. leadership in manufacturing integrated photonic circuits. In support of this follow-on assistance agreement, $165 million in federal funding will be combined with over $156 million in non-federal cost-share from companies, colleges and universities, and state and local governments.
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FY 2022 SMART Scholar SEED Grant Program Awardees
October 21, 2021
The Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) program recently announced awards to 21 SMART PhD scholars as part of its competitive SMART Scholar SEED Grant program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. The SMART Scholar SEED Grant Program awards research grants worth up to $100,000 per year for a maximum of three years to promising SMART scholars as they transition from the pursuit of their PhDs to become active Department of Defense (DoD) professionals. The grants help scholars establish foundational research/engineering projects in their areas of expertise.
Keynote at Women in Technology Event
October 19, 2021
On Friday, October 15, 2021, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), Heidi Shyu, delivered keynote remarks at the Laboratory for Physical Sciences 3rd Bi-Annual Women in Technology: Building Tomorrow Together.
The DoD Awards $47 Million in Grants Through the NDEP
October 19, 2021
The Department of Defense (DoD), through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), is pleased to announce more than $47 million to 15 awardees under the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Biotechnology, and Enhanced Civics Education.
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Defense Science and Technology Protection Experts Share Acquisition Course Updates in New Webinar
October 15, 2021
Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition professionals can now access updates to Defense Acquisition University (DAU) course ACQ 160, “Program Protection Planning Awareness,” through a new recorded webinar released September 27, 2021 that features two Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) science and technology (S&T) protection experts.
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DoD Advances Digital Engineering Practice
October 8, 2021
The Department of Defense (DoD) requires robust engineering practices and modern weapon systems to defeat adversaries. To remain competitive, the DoD is adopting digital engineering practices in developing defense systems.
DoD Cyber Table Top Guide, Version 2
October 1, 2021
The Cyber Table Top (CTT) method is a type of mission-based cyber risk assessment that defense programs can use to produce actionable information on potential cyber threats across a system’s acquisition life cycle.
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2021 Class of LUCI Fellows
September 30, 2021
The Basic Research Office at OUSD (R&E) is pleased to announce the 2021 class of Laboratory-University Collaboration (LUCI) Fellows. LUCI fellows are highly accomplished 6.1 researchers in the DoD laboratories that wish to partner with top tier DoD-funded academic researchers.
DOD Launches Centers of Excellence at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
September 14, 2021
The Department of Defense (DoD), through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), is pleased to announce awards totaling $15 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to establish Centers of Excellence (COEs) in Biotechnology and Materials Science.
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DOD Awards 2021 STEM Scholars
September 8, 2021
The Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Program recently announced awards to 416 SMART scholars as part of its 2021 cohort. The 2021 cohort is comprised of students representing 184 colleges and universities, and is the largest and most diverse in the program’s 15 year history.
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Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge Portal
August 20, 2021
The Strategic Technology Protection and Exploitation (STP&E) Office in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) announces the release of the Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge (CRWS-BoK) Portal Version 1.1.
Virtual Summit on Robotic Solutions for Pandemics and Beyond
August 27, 2021
The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, a Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institute (DoD MII), opened registration for the “ARM Exchange Technical Summit: Robotic Solutions for Pandemics & Beyond.” This event is free to attend and open to the public, but registration is required.
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STEM Community College and Relevant Partners Consortium
August 20, 2021
OUSD(R&E) has announced a Request for Information on STEM Community College and Relevant Partners Consortium to help improve the future on future talent workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Responses are due by Friday, September 10, 2021.
2021 SMART Scholar Symposium: Creating Leaders of the Future
August 4, 2021
The Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Program, managed under the Office of the Undersecretary for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), hosted its fourth annual symposium on July 13-15, 2021.
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Second Quarter Laboratory Scientist, STEM Advocate, and Technology Transfer Advocate Awards
July 30, 2021
The Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Research and Technology (DDRE(R&T)) in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) is pleased to announce the second quarter Fiscal Year 2021 winners.
Fiscal Year 2021 Research Equipment Awards to Minority-Serving Institutions
June 2021
Arlington, VA – Today, the Department of Defense (DoD), through the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), announced awards to 70 minority-serving institutions totaling $30.4 million as part of the fiscal year (FY) 2021 DoD Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MSI) Research and Education Program.
DoD Public-Private Partnerships Focus on Manufacturing Innovations to Fight COVID-19 and Build the Industrial Base
June 2021
Department of Defense (DoD) Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MIIs) — public-private partnerships established by the Office of the Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Technology (OSD ManTech) Program, under the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) — convene critical, groundbreaking work that helps in the fight against COVID-19 and builds and strengthens the U.S. industrial base.
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DoD Releases New Instruction on Additive Manufacturing
June 2021
In June 2021, the Department of Defense (DoD), through the Office of the Undersecretary for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), published a DoD Instruction (DoDI) that promotes additive manufacturing (AM) use across the DoD enterprise. DoD has identified AM as a technology that contributes to a key line of effort in the National Defense Strategy, “building a more lethal force.” This DoDI supports the Department’s vision for utilizing AM to enable a more agile, adaptable, and aligned defense supply base to outpace adversarial threats.
DoD and MIT Release New Online Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Education Platform
June 21, 2021
The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have launched a new online Open edX platform for advanced manufacturing technologies education at www.manufacturingworkforce.org.”
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Hicks Provides Overview of DOD Priorities
June 8, 2021
The deputy defense secretary today spoke about a wide range of topics regarding Defense Department priorities reflected in the fiscal year 2022 budget request.
July 23, 2021
The DoD, through OUSD(R&E), just released an updated DoD STEM Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2021–2025 that showcases the DoD’s dedication to developing current and future STEM talent.
Army Researches Vehicle Grid for Resilient Battlefield Power
May 17, 2021
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (May 17, 2021) — The Army is experimenting with prototypes of fast-forming vehicle power grids that will enable greater mobility for Soldiers on the battlefield.
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DoD Announces Additional Fiscal Year 2021 University Research Funding Awards
May 2021
Arlington, VA - The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced an additional $10 million in funding awards to 4 teams that participated in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) competition, managed by the Basic Research Office (BRO) in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)). The winning teams, which represent 16 academic institutions nationwide, will receive three-year grants—contingent upon satisfactory research progress and the availability of funds—to pursue basic research that spans multiple scientific disciplines. The Department previously announced $179 million in MURI awards to 25 research teams from the same FY21 MURI competition. Please click here to download the list of additional winning teams.
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Q1 FY21 Laboratory Scientist, STEM Advocate, and T2 Advocate Awards
May 13, 2021
The Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Research and Technology (DDRE(R&T)) is proud to announce the Q1 FY21 winners of the Laboratory Scientist, STEM Advocate, and T2 Advocate awards.
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FY21 BOOST Program Awardees
May 10, 2021
The Department of Defense’s (DOD) Biotech Optimized for Operational Solutions and Tactics (BOOST) Program has awarded $5 million in total to five selected technology development proposals for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). The DDRE(R&T) in OUSD(R&E) oversees the BOOST Program.
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DoD Announces New Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge Portal
May 6, 2021
The Strategic Technology Protection and Exploitation (STP&E) Office in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering announces the launch of the Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge (CRWS-BoK) Portal.
Manufacturing Innovation Institutes Integral to U.S. Pandemic Response
May 5, 2021
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the U.S. in early 2020 and overwhelmed the nation's supply of personal protective equipment, the Defense Department's Manufacturing Innovation Institutes leveraged their public-private partnerships to enable manufacturers to quickly pivot and ramp up production to respond to frontline health care workers' PPE needs and protect Americans against COVID-19 exposure.
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2021 Class of Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship
May 5, 2021
Arlington, VA – On May 5th, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced the selection of eight distinguished faculty scientists and engineers for the 2021 Class of Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellows (VBFF). The highly competitive fellowship is the DoD’s flagship single investigator award for basic research. VBFF is sponsored by the Basic Research Office, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, with grants managed by the Office of Naval Research.
DoD S&T Executive Committee Meets for Annual Strategic Review
April 29, 2021
The Department of Defense (DoD) Science and Technology Executive Committee (S&T ExCom), coordinated by the Office of the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), is proud to announce the winner of the 2021 Applied Research for Advancement of S&T Priorities (ARAP) Program Award Competition.
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Winner of FY21 Applied Research for Advancement of S&T Priorities Program Award
April 28, 2021
The Department of Defense (DoD) Science and Technology Executive Committee (S&T ExCom), coordinated by the Office of the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), is proud to announce the winner of the 2021 Applied Research for Advancement of S&T Priorities (ARAP) Program Award Competition.
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Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Awards
April 28, 2021
The DoD announces $10.2 million in Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) awards to 17 collaborative teams for the FY2020 competition.
IDENT 2020 Winner
April 27, 2021
Cyrus Jabbari, a DDR&E(AC) analyst with the Rapid Reaction Technology Office (RRTO) recently distinguished himself as the winner of the Integrated Discovery of Emerging and Novel Technologies (IDENT) 2020.
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Subcommittee Hearing with Department of Defense Innovation and Research
April 13, 2021
Statement by Ms. Barbara McQuiston, Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. Submitted to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense.
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COE-AI/ML at Howard
April 1, 2021
The DoD, through OUSD(R&E), launched a $7.5 million Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (COE-AI/ML) at Howard University. The COE-AI/ML will focus on developing and evaluating trustworthy, reliable, and robust ML algorithms and AI systems for mission critical applications. The center is part of the DoD’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCUs/MSIs) Research and Education Program.
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COE-AQS at Delaware State
April 1, 2021
The DoD, through OUSD(R&E), launched a $7.5 million Center of Excellence in Advanced Quantum Sensing (COE-AQS) at Delaware State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The COE-AQS will stimulate research and innovation leading to the development of novel quantum sensing technologies and methodologies. The center was awarded as part of the DoD’s research and education program for HBCUs and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs).
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DOD Working With Norway to Develop High-Speed Propulsion Technologies
March 17, 2021
The Defense Department and the Norwegian Ministry of Defense jointly announced in April that they will partner on the development of an advanced solid fuel ramjet that could find use in supersonic and hypersonic weaponry.
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Defense Department Launches $7.5 Million COE-NC4
March 12, 2021
The DoD, through OUSD(R&E), launched a $7.5 million Center of Excellence in Networked Configurable Command, Control and Communications for Rapid Situational Awareness (COE-NC4) at the University of California, Riverside, a Hispanic-serving minority institution. Administered by the Army Research Laboratory, the Center is part of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCUs/MSIs) Research and Education Program, supporting the DoD's commitment to building a diverse pipeline of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics talent.
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Rapid Assured Microelectronics Prototypes using Advanced Commercial Capabilities Project
February 2021
Arlington, VA – The Department of Defense (DoD) announces the award of the Rapid Assured Microelectronics Prototype using Advanced Commercial Capabilities (RAMP) Project for improving Department of Defense (DoD) assured access to advanced commercial microelectronics technology.
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2021 MURI Competition
February 2021
Arlington, VA - The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced $179 million in funding awards to 25 teams that participated in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) competition. The winning teams, which represent 57 academic institutions nationwide, will receive five-year grants—contingent upon satisfactory research progress and the availability of funds—to pursue basic research that spans multiple scientific disciplines.
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DoD Additive Manufacturing Strategy
January 2021
The Office of the Secretary of Defense Manufacturing Technology (OSD ManTech) Program Office in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) released its first-ever comprehensive Additive Manufacturing (AM) Strategy in January 2021. The AM Strategy establishes a common vision for the use of this game-changing technology, which is also known as three-dimensional (3D) printing. OSD ManTech, which is under the Strategic Technology Protection and Exploitation (STP&E) Office in OUSD(R&E), crafted the Strategy in partnership with the Military Services and other defense agencies.
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DOD Awards $20.8M in Grants for Projects to Support Research in Social and Behavioral Science
January 12, 2021 - DOD News
The Department of Defense (DOD) has awarded $20.8 million in grants to 15 university-based Minerva Research Initiative (Minerva) faculty teams to support research in the social and behavioral sciences.
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5G Challenge to Develop Open 5G Systems
January 11, 2021 - DOD News
The Department of Defense, in coordination with the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), announced a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) to explore a new 5G Challenge aimed at accelerating the development of an open 5G ecosystem that can support DoD missions.
DoD International Science & Technology Engagement Strategy
December 28, 2020 - DOD News
Acting Under Secretary Michael Kratsios signed the DOD International Science and Technology Engagement Strategy, which supports the 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS) directive to strengthen alliances and attract new partners.
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Defense Department Awards University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics Contract
October 26, 2020 - DOD News
The Department of Defense announced it will be awarding Texas A&M University’s Engineering Experiment Station $20 million per year over a 5-year period to establish and manage a University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics (UCAH).
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DOD Awards Applied Hypersonics Contract to Texas A&M University
October 26, 2020 - By David Vergun, DOD News
Texas A&M University's Engineering Experiment Station, or TEES, has been awarded a $20 million per year contract to establish and manage a University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics, or UCAH.
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DOD Approves $87 Million for Newest Bioindustrial Manufacturing Innovation Institute
October 20, 2020 - DoD News
Today, the Department of Defense announced an $87 million, seven-year award to the BioIndustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem (BioMADE), a nonprofit created by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC), for a new Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII). BioMADE, headquartered at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, will collaborate with public and private entities to advance sustainable and reliable bioindustrial manufacturing technologies.
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Department of Defense Announces $197.2 Million for Microelectronics
October 15, 2020 - DoD News
Today, the Department of Defense announced it has awarded over $197 million to advance microelectronics technology and strengthen the American microelectronics industrial base. This critical industry will underpin the development of other Department of Defense technology priorities such as artificial intelligence, 5G communications, quantum computing, and autonomous vehicles.
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DOD Establishes Joint Hypersonics Transition Office Systems Engineering Field Activity at NSWC Crane
October 15, 2020 - DoD News
Today, the DoD established its Joint Hypersonics Transition Office Systems Engineering Field Activity at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division. Through this partnership, located in Crane, Indiana, the Department can leverage the growing suite of government, industry, and academic leaders associated with NSWC Crane. Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Dr. Mark Lewis, and JHTO Director, Dr. Gillian Bussey, announced the JHTO Systems Engineering Field Activity opening in a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 15th with Governor Eric Holcomb.
DOD Kicks Off World’s Largest Dual-Use 5G Testing Effort
October 9, 2020 - By C. Todd Lopez, DoD News
Defense Department officials announced yesterday the awarding of $600 million in contracts to 15 prime contractors to perform testing and evaluation of 5G technologies at five military installations across the United States, said the acting undersecretary of defense for research and engineering.
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DOD Announces $600 Million for 5G Experimentation and Testing at Five Installations
October 8, 2020 - DOD News
Today, the Department of Defense announced $600 million in awards for 5G experimentation and testing at five U.S. military test sites, representing the largest full-scale 5G tests for dual-use applications in the world.
SBIR/STTR Virtual Symposium
Event: October 7, 2020, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET
Small Business and Technology Partnerships is pleased to announce that registration for our 2020 DoD Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Virtual Symposium is now open! The event takes place on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, from 10:00 AM ET – 5:00 PM ET. Registration closes September 25, 2020.
Please be sure your device is compatible with the Cisco WebEx platform by visiting help.webex.com.
SDA Announced Two Contract Awards for the First Generation of the Tracking Layer
October 5, 2020 - By C. Todd Lopez , DOD News
The Space Development Agency announced today that two companies won bids to build out Tranche 0 of the tracking layer for the National Defense Space Architecture. Together, those contracts amount to more than $342 million.
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DoD Awards $31 Million to National Defense Education Program STEM
October 5, 2020 - DOD News
The Department of Defense announced the selection of 12 awardees for the National Defense Education Program Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) awards.
Irregular Warfare Annex to National Defense Strategy Made Public
October 2, 2020 - By David Vergun , DOD News
The Defense Department released the unclassified portion of the Irregular Warfare Annex to the 2018 National Defense Strategy today. Open as a PDF
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STEM and Biotechnology Virtual Symposium
September 24, 2020 - DoD News
The Office of Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering hosted the first virtual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and Biotechnology Virtual Symposium, September 24.
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Keynote Speaker at DOD’s SBIR/STTR Virtual Symposium
September 21, 2020 - DoD News
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)) announced the line-up of speakers for the inaugural Department of Defense Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Virtual Symposium. The symposium, taking place October 7th, will feature keynote speaker Mr. Michael J. Kratsios, acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
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Radiation and Temperature Effects on Space-Based Microelectronics
September 20, 2020 - RT&L News
McClellan Park, California— Engineers at the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) have invented a new system for testing semiconductors' reliability and other critical electronics components in the harsh environment encountered in space.
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Embracing Change: Shifting the DoD to an Approach for Modernization and Joint Warfighting Concept Development
September 24, 2020 - DoD CTO Public Affairs
The Department of Defense (DoD) is fundamentally changing the way it modernizes forces to fight and win tomorrow’s wars. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)) has been tasked to lead this change. The Deputy Director for Engineering (DD, ENG), Dr. Sandra Magnus, is leading the Chief Engineers Council advising the Mission Engineering direction and guiding documents.
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DoD Invests $50 million in Minority-Serving Institutions to Conduct Boundary-Pushing Scientific Research
September 23, 2020 - DOD News
The Department of Defense (DoD), through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), is pleased to announce awards totaling $50 million to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCUs/MSIs) to conduct research in defense priority areas. The competitive awards cover two discrete funding opportunities under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 DoD HBCU/MSI Research and Education Program.
AI Aiding DOD in Early Detection of COVID-19
September 22, 2020 - By David Vergun, DOD News
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency and Defense Innovation Unit are applying commercial technology for early detection of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, which causes the COVID-19 coronavirus disease.
DoD Awards $4 million to Eight Universities for Hypersonics Research
September 14, 2020
The Department of Defense (DOD) has awarded $4 million in grants to eight distinguished universities to support work on uniquely-complex hypersonics challenges. The awards made Sept. 9 are the first step toward meeting the DOD and congressional goals of developing the nation’s hypersonics workforce and accelerating the transition of cutting-edge technology to operational hypersonic capabilities.
SDA announced two contract awards for the first generation of the Transport Layer.
August 31, 2020 - SDA News
SDA announced August 31 two contract awards for the first generation of the Transport Layer, called Tranche 0. These awards represent one of the first major and highly visible steps toward developing the National Defense Space Architecture’s inaugural tranche. This set of contract awards will initiate the design, development, and launch of constellations comprised of tens of satellites with optical intersatellite links capable of sending and receiving wideband data to and from other space vehicles and ground stations. The capability demonstrated in the Transport Layer Tranche 0 will provide our warfighters with periodic regional access to low-latency data connectivity via space-based extensions of existing tactical data links. Contract details can be found at the SDA contracts webpage.
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DoD Announces New DARPA Director Dr. Victoria Coleman
August 31, 2020 - DoD News
Today, the Department of Defense named Dr. Victoria Coleman as the director of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
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Defense Department Invests $42 Million to Awardees in Manufacturing Engineering Education Program
August 2020 - DoD News
Arlington, VA – The Department of Defense, through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, is pleased to announce the selection of nine awardees for the Manufacturing Engineering Education Program (MEEP).
Cybersecurity in Manuracturing Hiring Guide
Virtual Webinar: September 3, 2020
Manufacturing x Digital (MxD), a Department of Defense-sponsored manufacturing innovation institute, has released The Hiring Guide: Cybersecurity in Manufacturing, a ground-breaking guide to aid U.S. manufacturers in building the workforce needed to protect the industry from growing cyber threats.
DOD Developing Small, Unmanned Aerial System for Warfighters
August 20, 2020 - By David Vergun, DoD News
For the first time ever, the Department of Defense and the entire federal government will have access to secure, trusted, and American-made commercial drones on the General Service Administration (GSA) schedule, acting undersecretary for research and engineering Michael Kratsios announced at a virtual event hosted by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) on Wednesday.
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DIU Announces sUAS Product Availability
August 20, 2020 -
(Washington, DC) -- The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), a Department of Defense (DOD) organization that accelerates commercial technology for national defense, announced the availability of five U.S.-manufactured drone configurations to provide trusted, secure small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) options to the U.S. Government.
DOD Tech Chief Lays Out Vision for U.S. Technology Leadership
August 13, 2020 - DoD News
America's economic and military dominance lies in innovation, and the Defense Department's new technology chief is looking to strengthen and maintain the nation's position as the global leader in emerging technologies.
Remarks by Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Michael Kratsios
August 13, 2020 - DoD Press Release
Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Michael Kratsios speaks at Georgetown University Center for Security and Emerging Technology.
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DOD Names 2020 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Awardees
August 4, 2020 - DoD Press Release
The Department of Defense (DOD) has awarded National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowships for 2020 to 162 exceptionally-qualified awardees from 57 institutions nationwide.
DoD Releases New Instruction on Technology Protection
July 31, 2020 - DoD Press Release
The Department of Defense published a DoD Instruction (DoDI) July 20 that contributes to a key line of effort in the National Defense Strategy – increasing the lethality of our forces – through promotion and implementation of enhanced technology protection across the DoD enterprise.
State of the Space Industrial Base 2020
July 2020
A Time for Action to Sustain US Economic & Military Leadership in Space
Commerce Secretary Thanks DoD Manufacturing Innovation Institute for COVID-19 Response
July 28, 2020 - DoD Public Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross visited the Department of Defense Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) America Makes July 1 to announce a $1.4 million grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
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DOD Announces Recipients of the Newton Award for Transformative Ideas during the COVID-19 Pandemic
July 13, 2020 - DoD Press Release
The Department of Defense announced $650,000 in funding to 13 recipients of the Newton Award for Transformative Ideas during the COVID-19 Pandemic. View Recipients of the Newton Award.
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DOD Names Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
July 13, 2020 - DOD Press Release
Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper announced today that Michael J.K. Kratsios had been designated to serve as Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, effective July 10, 2020.
Pentagon Official Discusses Defense Modernization Priorities
June 30, 2020 - Courtesy Video from Defense.gov
Dr. Mark Lewis, the Defense Department’s acting deputy under secretary of defense for research and engineering and director of defense research and engineering for modernization, discusses the DOD’s priorities with Rebeccah Heinrichs of the Hudson Institute in Washington.
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Risk Aversion Impedes Hypersonics Development
June 30, 2020 - , DOD News
Speeding ahead with the development of hypersonic weapons, both offensive and defensive, will require the Defense Department to look back to the 1960s — a time when it was far less risk-averse than it is now, the department's director of defense research and engineering for modernization said.
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Hypersonics Testing Accelerates
June 18, 2020 - By C. Todd Lopez , DOD News
The March 19 test of a hypersonic glide body at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii is just the start for the Defense Department, the assistant director for hypersonics in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering said, and after ample flight testing, the department will move toward developing weapons from the concepts it's been testing.
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DOD Has Pedal to the Metal on Hypersonics
June 18, 2020 - By Jim Garamone , DOD News
Mark J. Lewis, who spoke with Marcus Weisgerber at the Defense One Tech Summit yesterday, noted that Russia has announced fielding a hypersonic capability and that China is investing heavily in the technology.
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DoD Releases Defense Space Strategy
JUNE 17, 2020 - DoD Press Release
Today the Secretary for Defense released the Defense Space Strategy, which identifies how Department of Defense will advance spacepower to be able to compete, deter, and win in a complex security environment characterized by great power competition.
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Op-ed | The Space Development Agency must be a constructive disruptor
June 15, 2020 - By Dr. Tournear, Dr. Griffin, and Dr. Porter for Space News
SDA must be allowed to operate outside of legacy acquisition systems until it has had time to innovate, flourish and deliver.
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DOD Names Seven Installations as Sites for Second Round of 5G Technology Testing, Experimentation
June 3, 2020 - DoD News Release
The Department of Defense has named seven U.S. military installations as the latest sites where it will conduct fifth-generation (5G) communications technology experimentation and testing. They are Naval Base Norfolk, Virginia; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; Joint Base San Antonio, Texas; the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California; Fort Hood, Texas; Camp Pendleton, California; and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
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DOD, USAF Warfare Center to Build a 5G Network, Test Prototype Software at Nellis
May 28, 2020 - DoD News Release
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) and the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC) at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada have teamed to build a fifth-generation (5G) cellular network on Nellis as part of DOD's development of 5G for both defense and civilian uses.
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DOD Awards $24 Million for the 2020 Class of the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship
May 12, 2020 - DoD Release
The Department of Defense has selected eight distinguished faculty scientists and engineers and provided $24 million in fellowship funds as part of the 2020 Class of the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellows. Click here for a complete list of this year’s winners.
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Danger to GPS Due to FCC Licensing Ruling
May 8, 2020 - By David Vergun, DoD News
DOD Chief Information Officer Dana S. Deasy; Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Michael D. Griffin; Space Force Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond, chief of space operations and commander of U.S. Space Command; and retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad W. Allen spoke at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on DOD spectrum policy and the impact of the FCC's Ligado Networks decision on national security.
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DOD Invests $3.6 Million for the DEPSCoR Competition Winners
May 1, 2020 - DoD Press Release
The Department of Defense has selected six collaborative teams as winners of the Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) competition. Each team will receive up to $600,000 over a three-year period of performance to pursue science and engineering research in areas relevant to DOD initiatives supporting the National Defense Strategy.
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DOD Awards Contracts for Development of a Mobile Microreactor
March 9, 2020 - DoD Release
The Department of Defense has awarded three teams, BWX Technologies, Inc., Lynchburg, Virginia; Westinghouse Government Services, Washington, D.C.; and X-energy, LLC, Greenbelt, Maryland; contracts to each begin design work on a mobile nuclear reactor prototype under a Strategic Capabilities Office initiative called Project Pele.
5G to Aid Warfighters, Thwart Adversaries
March 5, 2020 - By David Vergun, DoD News
Dr. Michael D. Griffin, undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, spoke at the 11th annual McAleese Defense Programs Conference in Washington, D.C.
Department of Defense Press Briefing on Hypersonics
March 2, 2020 -
Mark Lewis, director of defense research and engineering for modernization, and Mike White, the assistant director of defense research and engineering for modernization, will discuss hypersonics during a news conference at the Pentagon. Read Transcript (PDF)
More Young People Need to Pursue the 'Magic of Engineering'
February 20, 2020 - By C. Todd Lopez, DoD News
The Pentagon - The Defense Department's chief technology officer said more must be done to encourage young people to pursue engineering careers.
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Fiscal Year 2020 University Research Funding Awards
February 2020 - DoD News Release
Arlington, VA - The Department of Defense (DoD) announced $185 million in multidisciplinary university research initiative (MURI) awards to 26 research teams pursuing basic research spanning multiple scientific disciplines.
Rogue Squadron Transitions from DIU to DDS
February 12, 2020 - Defense Digital Service
Washington — Rogue Squadron, a Defense Innovation Unit team based in Mountain View, California, which develops hardware and software solutions for small unmanned aerial systems and counter-UAS missions, will now report to the Defense Digital Service, a DoD organization dedicated to providing the best in modern technical knowledge to the government.
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MOSIS MPW Sponsorship Through Intel Custom Foundry
February 2020 - DoD Release
To encourage participation in the MOSIS Service offerings of Intel’s multi-project wafer fabrication runs, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Trusted and Assured Microelectronics Program aims to potentially sponsor MPW runs in government fiscal year 2020 and 2021. Projects aligning with the R&E Microelectronics Roadmap’s need for access to State-Of-The-Art technology will be considered for subsidized fabrication if those designs and/or design efforts are complementary to the T&AM objectives of enhancing the U.S. microelectronics development capability.
Request for Information on the American Research Environment
Response Date - December 23, 2019
Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
A new Request for Information was issued on behalf of the National Science and Technology Council’s (NSTC) Joint Committee on the Research Environment (JCORE) to solicit input that the Trump Administration can take to “maximize the quality and effectiveness of the American research environment.” JCORE seeks this input from private industry, academic institutions, professional societies, non-profit and philanthropic organizations, and Federal agencies.
MOSIS MPW Sponsorship Through Intel Custom Foundry
December 2019 - DoD Release
To encourage participation in the MOSIS Service offerings of Intel’s multi-project wafer (MPW) fabrication runs, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) Trusted and Assured Microelectronics (T&AM) Program aims to potentially sponsor MPW runs in government fiscal year (GFY)-2020 and GFY-2021.
Space Development Agency Director Announced
October 28, 2019 - DoD Release
The Department of Defense (DoD) today announced the selection of Dr. Derek Tournear as the first permanent director of the Space Development Agency.
Draft Request for Proposals for 5G Technology
October 23, 2019 - DoD Release
Dr. Lisa Porter, the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering addressed the audience during the MWC19 in Los Angeles.
Available Content
- Dr. Porter's speech transcript from MWC19 Los Angeles
- DoD Press Release
Fiscal Year 2019 Research Equipment Awards to Minority-Serving Institutions
October 23, 2019 - DoD Release
The Department of Defense has awarded $23.2 million to 59 minority-serving institutions as part of the fiscal year 2019 DoD Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions Research and Education Program. The awards range from $122,786 to $600,000 and support the acquisition of research equipment at 24 HBCUs, 34 MSIs and one Tribal College.
USD(R&E) Letter to Universities
Letter Published October 10, 2019
Dr. Michael Griffin
Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
For decades, scientists at universities and research centers, supported by the Department of Defense, have made ground-breaking scientific discoveries that underpinned dramatic commercial and national security advances, significantly improving the lives of citizens here and abroad…
Assume Networks Are Compromised, DOD Official Urges
September 24, 2019 - By C. Todd Lopez
Cybersecurity requires more than just building a barrier around the network. No matter how secure a computer network or the environment it's used in may seem to be, users should just assume it's compromised, said Dr. Lisa Porter, the deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering. Now, she said, cyber professionals are thinking about "zero-trust architecture," which assumes that no one who uses the network can be trusted.
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5G and Microelectronics
Published September 9, 2019
Dr. Lisa Porter, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, writes to discuss 5G and Microelectronics.
White House Unveils FY 2021 Research and Development Budget Priorities
August 30, 2019 - Executive Office of the President
For FY2021, the five R&D budgetary priorities in this memorandum ensure that America remains at the forefront of scientific progress, national and economic security, and personal wellbeing, while continuing to serve as the standard-bearer for today's emerging technologies and Industries of the Future.
Announcement of the 2019-2020 Cohort of the Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellows
August 26, 2019 - DoD Release
The Department of Defense Minerva Research Initiative is pleased to announce the 2019-2020 cohort of the Jennings Randolph Peace Scholar Dissertation Fellows. This year, over 110 applicants from 70 U.S. universities applied for this prestigious award. The dissertations chosen for the Peace Scholar Fellowship show the greatest potential to advance peacebuilding and security fields, and the strongest likelihood to affect policy and practice.
Eye In the Sky: DOD Announces AI Challenge
August 15, 2019 - Defense Innovation Unit
The Defense Innovation Unit's xView2 Challenge seeks to automate post-disaster damage assessment. DIU is challenging machine learning experts to develop computer vision algorithms that will speed up analysis of satellite and aerial imagery by localizing and categorizing various types of building damage caused by natural disasters.
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DOD Announces Award for STEM Education and Outreach Efforts
April 16, 2019 - Press Operations
WASHINGTON, DC - The Department of Defense (DoD) recently announced the award of the Defense Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Consortium (DSEC) cooperative agreement. The cooperative agreement was awarded to Research Triangle Institute (RTI), who will receive up to $15 million a year over the course of five years.
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DoD Announces Fiscal Year 2019 Research Equipment Awards
March 25, 2019 - Press Operations
Arlington, VA - The Department of Defense announced awards to 185 university researchers totaling $56 million under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP). These grants will be provided to 95 institutions across 36 states in fiscal 2019.
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DOD Announces FY2018 Minerva Research Initiative Awards
March 18, 2019 - Press Operations
The Department of Defense continued its history of strong support for fundamental research by selecting 12 faculty investigators for awards through the FY2018 Minerva Research Initiative.
DOD Releases Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Proposal
March 12, 2019 - Press Operations
On March 11, 2019, President Donald J. Trump sent Congress a proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Budget request of $750 billion for national security, $718.3 billion of which is for the Department of Defense (DoD).
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Synthetic Biology (SynBio) Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII)
Response Date - February 28, 2020
AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY
The purpose of this Notice of Intent is to announce the U.S. Government’s intent to launch a competition for the ninth Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) led by the Department of Defense (DoD). The technical focus area for this Institute will be Synthetic Biology.
Path Forward for Artificial Intelligence
Feb. 12, 2019, By Press Operations
The Department of Defense on Feb. 12 released the summary of its strategy on artificial intelligence. The strategy, Harnessing AI to Advance Our Security and Prosperity, outlines how DOD will leverage AI into the future.
Strong Missile Shield Protects U.S., Allies
Jan. 17, 2019, By David Vergun
WASHINGTON --President Donald J. Trump, Vice President Michael R. Pence and Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan announced the release of the 2019 Missile Defense Review today at the Pentagon.
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DoD Awards $10 Million in Funding
January 17, 2019 - Press Operations
The Department of Defense has awarded $10 million in funding to the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII), with an option of $20 million more over the upcoming five years to lead the digital future of manufacturing Feb. 21.
NEWS & EVENTS
News & Events
DoD Chief Technology Officer Delivers First Congressional Testimony
APRIL 7, 2022
Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee’s Emerging Threats and Capabilities subcommittee on April 6, 2022. It was the first Congressional testimony Shyu provided since being confirmed in her current position in July, 2021.
The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Brand Guide provides guidelines to ensure consistency in the use of the USD(R&E) logo throughout the Department.
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense,
Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E))
3030 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3030
Contact Us
Contact Us
Information for the USD(R&E):
Contact OUSD(R&E) Staff
Social Media: @DoDCTO on Twitter
For website issues: Contact Webmaster
Contact Us
Information for the USD(R&E):
Contact OUSD(R&E) Staff
Social Media: @DoDCTO on Twitter
For website issues: Contact Webmaster