Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) – Broad Agency Announcements
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) is the Department of Defense’s principal innovation engine, responsible for accelerating modernization across all military branches. OUSD(R&E) issues Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) to solicit groundbreaking research, rapid prototyping efforts, and early-stage technology development that can transform joint force operations. Unlike service-specific BAAs tied to a particular domain, OUSD programs emphasize cross-cutting technologies that hold strategic value for the entire Department of Defense.
Research supported under OUSD(R&E) spans some of the most vital scientific domains of national security: microelectronics, hypersonics, quantum science, artificial intelligence and machine learning, integrated sensing and communications, energy and advanced materials, biotechnology, secure networking, cyber resilience, 5G/6G infrastructure, autonomy, space-based systems, and dynamic spectrum management. Many programs are designed to reduce technology transition risk through early experimentation, rapid prototyping, field demonstrations, integrated test environments, and cross-service evaluation frameworks.
Eligibility for OUSD(R&E) BAAs is broad, enabling participation by universities, nonprofit research labs, federally funded R&D centers, large enterprises, private R&D firms, and for-profit corporations of all sizes. Early-stage companies with dual-use commercial technologies—particularly in microelectronics, materials science, AI/ML, energy systems, autonomy, and space technology—are frequently competitive. Because OUSD programs are structured for impact across the DoD, proposals that articulate technology transition pathways, mission relevance, and integration into future acquisition programs are highly advantageous.
The proposal process typically involves multiple stages: a short abstract, a program-manager review or technical discussion, and an invited full proposal. Evaluations weigh scientific merit, feasibility, disruptive potential, DoD mission relevance, and the likelihood that the technology can transition into joint force operations or acquisition portfolios.
Example
– OUSD(R&E) solicitations: https://www.cto.mil/initiatives/
ScienceDocs Proposal Support
ScienceDocs supports OUSD(R&E) investigators by providing deep DoD proposal development expertise, including experience with cross-service modernization programs, rapid-innovation BAAs, and transition-oriented technical strategies. To work with our specialists, visit: