Department of Defense Support for American Innovation: From Past Paradigms to Current Opportunities for University Research
Research Development Brown Bag Lunch Webinars
April 16, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM America/Chicago
Since the 1990s, the defense industry and associated research and development have been defined by specialists, namely a small set of major, multinational defense contractors. However, recent and proposed reforms could soon expand the American defense industrial base and open doors to new commercial suppliers. This means new research support opportunities for university faculty whose work intersects with the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) critical technology areas. In this webinar, Thomas Day of the Frontier Mission Network will introduce both the history of DoD/Industry/University research engagement and new engagement opportunities on the near horizon. Webinar participants will learn which critical technology areas are of highest interest to DoD and how research programs can align with DoD priorities. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
About the Frontier Mission Network
The Frontier Mission Network builds a bridge from the region's research laboratories to the American national security community. The Network is an informal organization of entrepreneurs, researchers and capital investors, converging to build technologies in the national security space through new ventures. The Network’s vision is a Chicago that plays a greater role in strengthening American national security – accelerating defense innovation by commercializing science, attracting greater DoD expenditures and federal grants to regional startups, expanding dual-use technology adoption and increasing venture capital investment in the defense industrial base.
Speaker
Thomas Day – Team Member, The Frontier Mission Network and Lecturer, Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago
Date posted
Mar 20, 2025
Date updated
Mar 20, 2025