DoD Engagement with Its Manufacturing Innovation Institutes

To better support the need for timely, effective manufacturing technology development and transition, the Department of Defense (DoD) has established nine Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MIIs) through its Defense-wide Manufacturing Science and Technology program element within the DoD Manufacturing Technology program. The institutes are considered by DoD to be important facilitators that bring together innovative ecosystems in key technology and market sectors in the United States. DoD MIIs are industry-led public private partnerships, with dual, public and private benefit, providing large commercial market potential while also meeting key U.S. defense industrial needs. The mission of the nine DoD-established institutes addresses both defense and commercial manufacturing needs within specific, defense-relevant technology areas.

DoD Engagement with Its Manufacturing Innovation Institutes Phase 2 Study provides strategic guidance on protocols for conducting long term engagement assessments of the MIIs including evaluation metrics; best practices for MII education and workforce development programs; and development of strategies for better connecting MIIs to the broader DoD community and to other federal agencies. An interim report focused on the MII assessment protocol topic was published in April 2021 and is also included in this report, in appendixes C and D. This final report provides findings and recommendations relevant to education and workforce development best practices and DoD and other federal agency engagement strategies.