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) activities build networks of innovators that generate new solutions to national security problems. On April 4, 2023, the Secretary of Defense issued a memorandum re-elevating the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Director as a direct report to the Secretary of Defense. In July 2023, the DIU Director announced a reorganization that integrated NSIN into DIU to maximize strategic impact. DIU will continue to develop and execute 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. These programs are in line with Section 231 of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requirement to build a "pilot program on the use of private sector partnerships to promote technology transition,” Section 219 of FY 2021 NDAA to establish national security innovation partnerships, and Section 225 of FY 2018 NDAA guidance for the Secretary of Defense “to support national security innovation and entrepreneurial education programs.” The Regional Network Team is 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 and Alaska. 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 - critical innovation ecosystems within each region including universities and other tech hubs. This team will be integrated with DIU’s commercial and regional engagement efforts to reduce duplication, strengthen national outreach, and foster cross-pollination of activities across the technological maturity spectrum. DIU will strengthen pathways for talent to serve and facilitate access to early-stage companies to engage with the Department through the following programmatic portfolios: •The Talent Portfolio provides 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), DIU 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 Venture Portfolio develops and executes programs and services 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 DoD problems. The Venture Portfolio creates advantage for defense innovation through customer discovery and solution adoption. •The Transition Cell bridges the gap between post-program participation and solution implementation, facilitates market research within the non-traditional early-stage venture ecosystem, and 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 enables the identification of reusable pathways to get solutions to the place where they will have the greatest effect.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0603950D8Z_3_0400_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: Slight decrease of $0.081 million reflects minor budget fluctuations. A reduction of $0.215 million was applied to meet DoD overall funding reductions, which were spread to mitigate impact. Funding increase of $0.043 million for Economic Assumptions.
• Service Agency Name: Office of the Secretary Of Defense

Entities

Organizations

• Office of the Secretary of Defense

Tags

Readers

• Defense Technology Research and Development.