National Security Innovation Network
Abstract
This program supports the Department’s initiatives to Build a Sustainable and Long-Term Advantage, and Build a Resilient Joint Force and Defense Ecosystem. The National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) is a program office within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) and authorized through Section 219 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2021. NSIN reports through the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to the USD(R&E). NSIN’s mission is to build networks of innovators that generate new solutions to national security problems. NSIN develops and executes programs that engage these networks to solve the problems of Department of Defense (DoD) entities from the Military Services, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Defense Agencies, and Field Activities. NSIN is organized around three core lines of effort: Network Building, Program Execution, and Transition Support. These lines of effort include: 1) regional engagement and community building to source problem solvers and solutions to national security problems; 2) executing programs to attract new talent and solutions from among students, entrepreneurs, and the startup, venture and academic communities; and 3) enabling transition by providing subject matter expertise to reduce ambiguity and provide reliable, clear, and dependable information to the NSIN network making it easier for solutions to be identified, assessed, and implemented. The Regional Network Team is NSIN's outreach arm responsible for building the networks of innovators. The physical network is spread across nine (9) regions spanning the Continental United States and reaching out to Hawaii. Regional engagement activities are led by nine (9) Regional Directors supported by additional Regional Network Team members able to reach into critical venture innovation hubs throughout the country including: Boston, MA; New York City, NY; Washington, DC; Orlando, FL; Chicago, IL; St. Louis, MO; Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Seattle, WA; San Diego, CA; and San Francisco, CA. Additional members of the Regional Network Team currently include Regional Engagement Principals (REPs) that are embedded in and have responsibility for specific, critical innovation ecosystems within each region including universities and other tech hubs. Currently, NSIN has a total Regional Network Team of 44 members throughout the country. NSIN executes programs through two portfolios: Talent and Venture. The Talent Portfolio provides inspiration and opportunity for individuals outside the traditional federal talent pipeline to serve our country and solve real-world national security, technology, and policy challenges. By bridging the gap between students, academics, and entrepreneurs to engage with the Department of Defense (DoD), NSIN is helping build a deep bench of diverse, qualified civilian and military workers to preserve our competitive emerging technology advantage with resilient personnel trained for the unpredictable global operating environment. The Talent Portfolio acknowledges that people are the most valuable resource to achieving the mission. The Venture Portfolio develops and executes programs and services intended to facilitate access to emerging technology as it engages the talents of fast-moving innovators and non-traditional problem-solvers. The Venture Portfolio works directly with dual-use early stage ventures emerging from both the academic and venture community who have solutions that address Department of Defense (DoD) problems. The Venture Portfolio creates advantage for defense innovation through customer discovery and solution adoption. The NSIN Transition Cell reduces ambiguity and provides reliable, clear, and dependable information to NSIN program participants, Mission Acceleration Center users, and to the larger NSIN DoD mission partners; making it easier for solutions to be identified, assessed, and implemented. The Transition Cell ensures dual-use early stage ventures have the resources they need to understand and access the DoD market, provides education and resources to strengthen and fortify dual-use business maturity of alumni ventures, and provides materials and consultation to the DoD on the various authorities and vehicles available. The Transition Cell bridges the gap between NSIN post-program and solution implementation, facilitates market research within the non-traditional early stage venture ecosystem, and builds a bridge between the dual-use investor community, dual-use ventures, and the DoD innovation ecosystem. The Transition Cell enables the identification of reusable pathways to get solutions to the place where they will have the greatest effect. In prior years, NSIN was predominantly funded through Congressional Additions but was included in the President’s Budget submission for FY 2020 ($25.000 million). FY 2022 was the first year that NSIN appeared as a funded Program Element throughout the Future Years Defense Program and its program mission was codified in Section 219 of the NDAA for FY 2021. In FY 2023, NSIN was included in the President’s Budget submission at $22.028 million and received a total Congressional Addition of $57.240 million.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2024
- Source ID
- 0603950D8Z_3_0400_PB_2024
- Change Summary Explanation
- FY 2024 minimal reduction due to programmatic adjustments.
- Service Agency Name
- Office of the Secretary Of Defense
Entities
Organizations
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
Related Documents
- Child Project: National Security Innovation Network
- Child Accomplishment: National Security Innovation Network (NSIN)