Basic Research Initiatives

Abstract

The Basic Research Initiatives project code, P010, includes Strategic Support for Basic Research (SSBR) and the Minerva Research Initiative. SSBR supports oversight, policies, and initiatives to implement the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering's (ASD(R&E)) strategic plan for defense basic research. This plan defines actions to help create conditions for defense basic research investments capable of producing high-payoff, transformative scientific breakthroughs for the Department. SSBR initiatives support the five Basic Research Office strategic goals: (1) drive the direction of DoD basic research investments; (2) coordinate and conduct oversight of DoD basic research programs; (3) improve science and engineering (S&E) workforce and public outreach; (4) enhance university-industry collaboration; and (5) engage with academic research community and international partners. The Minerva Research Initiative, a department-wide basic research program in the social sciences directed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and executed by the Services, seeks to build a fundamental understanding of the sources of present and future conflict. It is one of the Nation’s only social science basic research programs in support of national security (especially funding field research). Minerva promotes a deeper understanding of the social and cultural environments, where threats such as radicalization and regional instabilities develop, and supports more effective strategic and operational policy decisions. Minerva program priorities are consistent with the goals set forth in the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), informing DoD efforts to effectively build security globally, and are updated annually according to inputs from across the defense enterprise.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2018
• Source ID: P010_0601110D8Z_1_0400_PB_2018

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Readers

• Defense Technology Research and Development.