Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering
News & Events
Events from Across the R&E Enterprise
Mission Capabilities Industry Engagement (TEM)
Event Date: Wednesday, 21 Jan 2026
Time: 0830-1500
Where: Kossiakoff Center, 11100 John Hopkins RD, Laurel, MD
The Assistant Secretary of War for Mission Capabilities (ASW(MC)), in the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)), is hosting a Technical Exchange Meeting (TEM) with industry. This engagement, held at the secret level, provides private industry with an update on the threats and challenges OUSW(R&E) programs are attempting to address. Additional MC info can be found at the OUSW(R&E) website.
Event Date: January 22, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Where: SMI at 250 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, DC + Virtual
From Lab to Launch: Accelerating Invention Transition to the Warfighter. A pilot program to connect Department of War with valued commercial partners.
The Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW (R&E)) is hosting an industry day on January 22, 2026, to kick-off a pilot program that will provide no-fee commercial evaluation licenses (CEL) for specially curated DoW laboratory patents. A CEL is a special agreement allowing the licensee the right to assess the technical, market, and business potential of a patent along with associated scale-up challenges.
Updates from Across the R&E Enterprise
The War Department’s Office of Research and Engineering Strengthens Measures to Protect DoW Funded Research
January 8, 2026
R&E announces the publication of the Fundamental Research Security Initiatives and Implementation memorandum. This memorandum establishes new actions to protect DoW funded research from malign foreign influence, intellectual property theft, and other forms of exploitation that threaten the security and economic interests of the United States.
USW(R&E) Emil Michael Announces Six CTAs for the War Department
November 18, 2025
The Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (USW(R&E)), Emil Michael, unveiled six Critical Technology Areas (CTAs) that will define the future of American military superiority. These CTAs represent the cutting edge of research and engineering, designed to deliver immediate, tangible results to the warfighter and ensure the United States remains the most lethal fighting force in the world. From unleashing the full potential of artificial intelligence to scaling our hypersonic weapon arsenal, the Department is committed to delivering technologies that will shape the destiny of American military might for generations to come.
'DOD' Is Now 'DOW'
September 5, 2025
This week, the Defense Department had a name change.
"In a historic move today, President [Donald J.] Trump has signed an executive order changing our name to the Department of War," Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said during the department's latest Weekly Sitrep video.
VICEROY MAVEN Interns Recognized by DoW Leadership at the Pentagon
August 4, 2025
Washington, D.C. — The Department of War (DoW) Monday, August 4th, 2025, honored seven exceptional student interns from the VICEROY MAVEN internship program during an engagement held at the Pentagon. The event celebrated the students’ contributions to national security through operational support, research, and mission-driven learning at DoW host sites across the country.
DoW Adopts Standard for Human Readiness Levels
August 1, 2025
First created by NASA in the 1970s, the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) – which measures the progress of new technology from basic research to completion – was formalized in 1989. TRLs track both commercial and government product development and is common terminology in aerospace and defense.
Notice on Indirect Cost Rates for Assistance Awards to Institutions of Higher Education
June 18, 2025
Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael signed the attached memorandum on June 12, 2025, to deviate from negotiated indirect cost rates for assistance awards to institutions of higher education and to implement a 15% indirect cost rate cap for awards to such institutions.
News Archive
July 18, 2025 Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael signed the attached memorandum on June 12, 2025, to deviate from negotiated indirect cost rates for assistance awards to institutions of higher education and to implement a 15 percent indirect cost rate cap for awards to such institutions. Learn More
July 8, 2025 Over 50 cutting-edge technology exhibits were displayed in the halls of the Pentagon for 2025 DoD Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Day! Learn More
Monday, June 23, 2025! 2025 Nominations Call for Nominations for the 2025 Department of Defense George F. Linsteadt Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer Now Open through 5:00pm EDT on Monday, June 26, 2025! The award will be announced at the annual DoD Technology Transfer and Transition Workshop (T3W) in November 2025. Learn More
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OUSW(R&E)
The Pentagon
Office of the Under Secretary of War,
Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E))
3030 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3030