Air Force and Space Force Tech Connect Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Science and Technology (S&T) Front Door Service to Connect?
The S&T Front Door Service to Connect is a service to connect small business, industry, academia, government research centers, entrepreneurs and airmen with experts inside the Air Force and Space Force Science and Technology enterprise through the AirForceTechConnect.org website. This website also provides a place to browse current challenges, events, grants and other opportunities as well as links to Air Force and Space Force Science and Technology websites.
The S&T Front Door Service to Connect is a service to connect small business, industry, academia, government research centers, entrepreneurs and airmen with experts inside the Air Force and Space Force Science and Technology enterprise through the AirForceTechConnect.org website. This website also provides a place to browse current challenges, events, grants and other opportunities as well as links to Air Force and Space Force Science and Technology websites.
Q. What prompted the need for the Science and Technology Front Door Service to Connect?
Many potential partners wanting to interact with the Air Force have difficulty navigating its structure. The S&T 2030 Strategy was a call to action to correct this through a virtual front door to rapidly connect the Air Force and Space Force Science and Technology enterprise to unique partnerships and innovation opportunities across joint services, academia, industry, small business, airmen, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists.
Many potential partners wanting to interact with the Air Force have difficulty navigating its structure. The S&T 2030 Strategy was a call to action to correct this through a virtual front door to rapidly connect the Air Force and Space Force Science and Technology enterprise to unique partnerships and innovation opportunities across joint services, academia, industry, small business, airmen, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists.
Q. How do I get connected with Air Force and Space Force Science and Technology enterprise experts and opportunities?
You can start by sharing your ideas here.
You can start by sharing your ideas here.
Q. How does the process work?
By sharing your idea and/or technology on the share an idea page, answering the five questions (what problem is this solving, who experiences the problem, how will you solve the problem, why is this a better solution, and what difference will it make), and selecting between the two disclosure agreements, your submission will be reviewed by Tech Connect team members (comprised of both Air Force and Space Force Science and Technology Subject Matter Experts) and feedback will be provided.
By sharing your idea and/or technology on the share an idea page, answering the five questions (what problem is this solving, who experiences the problem, how will you solve the problem, why is this a better solution, and what difference will it make), and selecting between the two disclosure agreements, your submission will be reviewed by Tech Connect team members (comprised of both Air Force and Space Force Science and Technology Subject Matter Experts) and feedback will be provided.
Q. What happens after I submit my idea?
After you submit an idea, you will receive an auto-generated confirmation email that confirms the idea was received. A Tech Connect member will review the idea for feasibility and potential for further exploration with a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) within Air Force Research Lab and determine alignment with current Air Force and Space Force S&T opportunities and challenges. Once the review is accomplished, an email will be sent with further instructions (idea is being considered/not considered and/or has matched/not matched).
After you submit an idea, you will receive an auto-generated confirmation email that confirms the idea was received. A Tech Connect member will review the idea for feasibility and potential for further exploration with a technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) within Air Force Research Lab and determine alignment with current Air Force and Space Force S&T opportunities and challenges. Once the review is accomplished, an email will be sent with further instructions (idea is being considered/not considered and/or has matched/not matched).
Q. How do I attach a photo or diagram to my submission?
At this time, you cannot attach a photo or diagram to your initial submission. During the idea review, a request for additional information may be made from a Tech Connect team member or SME.
At this time, you cannot attach a photo or diagram to your initial submission. During the idea review, a request for additional information may be made from a Tech Connect team member or SME.
Q. How will my information be protected?
When submitting your idea, you have the option to select: disclosure not submitted in confidence (you give permission to the Air Force and/or Space Force to use, modify, publicly release, and/or implement our idea without obligation), or disclosure submitted in confidence (your idea is proprietary and/or privileged).
When submitting your idea, you have the option to select: disclosure not submitted in confidence (you give permission to the Air Force and/or Space Force to use, modify, publicly release, and/or implement our idea without obligation), or disclosure submitted in confidence (your idea is proprietary and/or privileged).
Q. Who can submit an idea to the DAF Tech Connect Front Door?
Anyone. Whether you are from academia, industry, small business, individuals, Air Force, Space Force or other government agencies, we invite you to share any ideas and get connected to the Air Force and Space Force Science and Technology enterprise experts and opportunities.
Anyone. Whether you are from academia, industry, small business, individuals, Air Force, Space Force or other government agencies, we invite you to share any ideas and get connected to the Air Force and Space Force Science and Technology enterprise experts and opportunities.
Q. What is the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)?
AFRL leads the discovery, development and delivery of warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces, and supports both the new U.S. Space Force and the U.S. Air Force. Learn more at: AFResearchLab.com.
AFRL leads the discovery, development and delivery of warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces, and supports both the new U.S. Space Force and the U.S. Air Force. Learn more at: AFResearchLab.com.
Q. What is the U.S. Space Force?
The U.S. Space Force is designed to help protect the interests of the United States in space, deter aggression in the final frontier and conduct prompt and sustained space operations. The Space Force is the 6th independent U.S. military service branch, tasked with missions and operations in the rapidly evolving space domain and was signed into law Dec. 20, 2019 as part of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
The U.S. Space Force is designed to help protect the interests of the United States in space, deter aggression in the final frontier and conduct prompt and sustained space operations. The Space Force is the 6th independent U.S. military service branch, tasked with missions and operations in the rapidly evolving space domain and was signed into law Dec. 20, 2019 as part of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
FAQs about Air Force Tech Connect & Space Force Tech Connect
Frequently Asked Questions about Air Force Tech Connect & Space Force Tech Connect. Find answers to common USAF science and technology questions.