The Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX) cultivates innovation by expanding the American research enterprise for the USAF. APEX engages and collaborates with innovators across academia, industry and the DoD who possess capabilities of interest to the USAF; utilizes data analytics to identify transformational operational defense solutions in academia, industry and government sectors; provides high-touch coaching for business startups and proposals; and engages with DoD programs to connect universities, businesses and government entities in a way that moves defense technology from discovery to reality.

Air Force Accelerators and Incubators accelerate the matching of commercial products with Air Force needs. Across the US, these accelerators and incubators partner with startups to grow Air Force capabilities.

Innovation does not happen in a vacuum. We collaborate with higher education to build upon each other’s discoveries to accelerate our innovations.

Get published, launch a business, develop your idea, tackle challenging problems or help secure our nation. It’s all possible when you partner with AFRL.

Whether you’re an Airman with a great idea or a government agency that needs access to our world-class research facilities, you can partner with the Air Force Research Laboratory.

At the AFRL Regional Hub Network – Midwest, we are dedicated to developing next-generation research and technology to support the Air Force mission by providing analysis, development, and testing capabilities that span multiple science and engineering disciplines. From propulsion to communications, materials to sensors, our research focuses on advancing mission capability and accelerating technology transitions throughout the life cycle of programs.

At the Midwest Hub Network, we understand the importance of collaboration in advancing technology and mission capability. We facilitate partnerships between industry and academia to develop new means to address current and future needs of our customers.

The Mid-Atlantic Hub Network will create a more visible and accessible Air Force and Space Force presence in the region, strengthening partnerships and programs that catalyze innovation, commercialization and impact creating scientists and engineers trained via the experiential approach alongside the existing workforce to accelerate skill development and new products.

444 provides a space to collaborate with organizations, startups and universities in the Downtown Dayton Innovation District. This collaborative environment includes meeting spaces equipped with the latest technology, proximity to many potential partners in the region, and a steady flow of subject matter experts from many backgrounds.

Where innovative companies take flight. AFVentures is a collaboration between Air Force Acquisition, AFWERX, and AF SBIR/STT.

After effective technology and concept engagement through AFVentures and Spark, Prime works to rapidly drive affordable capability to the field. Additionally, successful fielding is essential to build trust in this AFWERX approach among Airmen as well as industry, investors, interagency, and international stakeholders.

Airmen are encouraged to locate a SBIR Phase I company that could potentially help solve a problem at their unit, sign a memorandum of agreement to work with them using the SBIR program’s funding, and search for SBIR Phase III company products and services that can be purchased sole-source via nearly any color of money. Login is required to view topic details.

AFWERX is a network of people who want to help create a better Air Force for all Airmen. There are innovators who work for AFWERX full-time, others who take on passion projects outside of their traditional jobs and tap into the AFWERX ecosystem for support, and plenty more who collaborate with us as part of their position at Air Force bases around the world.

The Air Force Technology Transfer Program was created to ensure all Air Force science and engineering activities promote the transfer or exchange of technology with state and local governments, academia, and industry.

The Air Force aims to deliver remarkable new capabilities that provide warfighters with superior advantages in the battlefield. The AF announced the initial three Vanguard programs: Golden Horde, Navigation Technology Satellite 3 (NTS-3) and Skyborg.

Powered by VT-ARC, the Basic Research Innovation Collaboration Center (BRICC) provides collaborative environments and data analytic services that support AFOSR's mission to discover, shape, and champion basic research that profoundly impacts the future Air Force. The BRICC specializes in data-driven approaches to quantitatively assess global S&T communities, research and technology trends, and innovation capacity.

Catalyst Campus is a collaborative ecosystem where industry, small business, workforce training, entrepreneurs, startups and venture capital intersect with Colorado’s aerospace and defense industry to create community, spark innovation and stimulate business growth.

The Collaborative Environment is an Air Force technology transfer and transition partnership between the Cyber Innovation Center and Air Force Global Strike Command. We are the Command’s persistent technology transfer, technology transition, and innovation resource.

Air Force CyberWorx is a United States Air Force unit that solves operational problems by collaborating with government, industry, and academic experts through intentional human-centered design activities.  We work with our stakeholders to quickly design and develop creative solutions that solve problems for the warfighters who need them the most.

The Defense Innovation Marketplace provides a centralized resource for the Department’s Acquisition and Science and Technology professionals on information about industry’s Independent research and development activities.

DEFENSEWERX and our hubs are the catalyst for decisive innovation between the private sector and the armed forces.
 

The Doolittle Institute, an AFRL Innovation Institute, supports the Air Force Research Labs Munitions Directorate by working to license and commercialize AFRL/RW technologies in the private sector, enable rapid technology delivery to the warfighter, identify and foster new R&D partnerships and develop AFRL’s current and future workforce. The Doolittle Institute is a member of the Defensewerx Family.

By partnering AFRL with private industry and academia, the Griffiss Institute (GI) is able to facilitate and grow the technology base of the Upstate New York region. The GI is focused on providing an environment conducive to the growth of technology and ideas, by creating a collaborative research environment accessible to AFRL, business, and academia.

The Guardian and Airmen Innovation Network (G.A.I.N.) platform allows Airmen and Guardians to share ideas, critique submissions, and up vote the most promising solutions.

Innovare Advancement Center is a diverse, open, inclusive, and “loud and proud” culture that is built upon creative and collaborative international collisions and connections; top-tier talent attraction through outreach, exposure, and exchange; research agility; entrepreneurial grit; the promulgation of educational opportunities; and impactful community involvement.

We augment Air University programs to enhance production of high-quality, innovative research and ideas that span issues of importance to the Air Force. This can includes: doctrine, strategies, capability needs, operational concepts, training, education, and science and technology.

Assisting DOD Labs, PMs and PEOs with technology transition support in the areas of design, prototyping, manufacturing and technology scouting

CREATE A WORLD THAT IS BETTER. SAFER. STRONGER.

NSIN, the National Security Innovation Network, is an unrivaled problem-solving network in the U.S. Department of Defense that adapts to the emerging needs of those who serve in the defense of our national security. We are dedicated to the work of bringing together defense, academic and entrepreneurial innovators to solve national security problems in new ways.

NewSpace New Mexico is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that is accelerating the pace
of space innovation by uniting and igniting the industry. Through Unite &
Ignite Space, a first-of-its-kind co-innovation hub, stakeholders gain
access to workspaces, equipment, programming, rapid prototyping and
demonstration, and resources needed for innovation and rapid progress.
 

Building a stronger, more agile and resilient U.S. Air Force through rapid technological change.

SME Connect includes a SME Profile and a SME Search Engine which allows the intake of curricula vitaes, resumes, knowledge, skills and abilities and general information to enable warfighters, operators, subject matter experts (SMEs), researchers and support teams to easily connect by using a google-like search bar. SME Connect is CAC enabled to ensure access by authorized users only (DoD military, civilian and contractor CAC card holders).

SOFWERX is a platform that helps solve challenging Warfighter problems at scale through collaboration, ideation, events and rapid prototyping

SSC solution to the space acquisition labyrinth challenge, and is the one-stop-shop for learning about and engaging with SSC.

SpaceWERX is the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a part of AFWERX, powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory.

Solves AF Global Strike Command's most challenging problems by connecting people and resources across government, business, and academia.

Businesses and entrepreneurs can find, evaluate, and license technology developed by the DOD.

The Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) is a cutting-edge center for innovation and technology commercialization. WBI provides breakthrough solutions to US Air Force's most complex initiatives by leveraging resident experts, unique facilities, disruptive innovation processes and extensive networks.