National Security Innovation Network

The National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) is a program element within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, focused on advancing the Department of Defense's (DoD) ability to build a sustainable and long-term technological advantage. The primary goal of NSIN is to create and nurture networks of innovators, including technologists, entrepreneurs, and academics, who can generate new solutions to national security challenges. This initiative supports the DoD's broader objectives of building a resilient joint force and strengthening the defense ecosystem by leveraging non-traditional sources of innovation. Following a 2023 reorganization, NSIN was integrated into the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), allowing for greater strategic impact and alignment with DIU's mission to accelerate the adoption of commercial technology across the DoD.

Regional Network Team activities are a cornerstone of NSIN's approach, with teams distributed across the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska. These teams, led by Regional Directors and supported by Regional Engagement Principals (REPs), are embedded within critical innovation ecosystems such as universities and technology hubs in cities like Boston, New York City, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, and San Francisco. Their objective is to foster collaboration, reduce duplication of effort, and promote cross-pollination of ideas and technologies across the maturity spectrum. By integrating with DIU's commercial and regional engagement efforts, the Regional Network Team aims to strengthen national outreach and facilitate the flow of innovative solutions into the DoD.

Talent Portfolio is a key programmatic area within NSIN, designed to expand opportunities for individuals outside the traditional federal talent pipeline to contribute to national security. This portfolio bridges gaps between students, academics, and entrepreneurs, enabling them to engage directly with DoD challenges. The objective is to build a diverse and qualified workforce capable of addressing emerging technology needs and adapting to unpredictable global operating environments. By focusing on talent development, NSIN helps preserve the DoD's competitive edge in technology through a resilient personnel base.

Venture Portfolio is another major component, tasked with developing and executing programs that facilitate access to emerging technologies. This portfolio works with dual-use early-stage ventures from both academic and commercial sectors, helping them address DoD problems through customer discovery and solution adoption. The Venture Portfolio's objective is to accelerate the prototyping and testing of new technologies, placing them on a pathway to become programs of record or to be integrated with existing defense platforms. This approach enables the DoD to tap into fast-moving innovators and non-traditional problem-solvers, enhancing its capacity for rapid technological advancement.

Project 845 focuses on engaging networks of innovators to solve problems faced by various DoD entities, including the Military Services, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Defense Agencies, and Field Activities. The project's objectives include improving the DoD's access to technologists and entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration with universities and early-stage ventures, and supporting the prototyping and testing of novel concepts and solutions. The ultimate aim is to transition successful prototypes into operational use within the DoD, thereby strengthening the nation's defense capabilities.

Project 439 builds on the accomplishments of Project 845, with a specific emphasis on establishing a coherent entry point for dual-use and emerging technology companies to engage with the DoD. In partnership with the Office of Small Business Programs and service innovation organizations, Project 439 aims to expand outreach to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority-serving institutions (MSIs), strengthen the talent pipeline, and accelerate the global exchange of commercial technology through prize challenges and accelerator programs. Project 439 will continue to support the DIU 3.0 strategy, serving as the National OnRamp for defense innovation and executing Defense Innovation OnRamp Hubs in collaboration with academic partners.

The NSIN program element enhances the DoD's ability to access and leverage innovative talent and technology from outside traditional defense channels. By building robust networks, fostering collaboration, and supporting the development and adoption of new solutions, NSIN contributes to the DoD's mission of maintaining technological superiority and operational resilience. The program is supported by enterprise functions that measure impact, facilitate alumni engagement, and disseminate information about the network, ensuring continued progress toward its strategic objectives.