Video 3 Navigating Transition Pathways

Quick Overview

The third video in the Scientifically Sound || Mission Relevant || Transition Ready series, "Navigating Transition Pathways," explains the three-step process for moving research to the warfighter faster, emphasizing the importance of aligning research with Navy requirements, identifying Programs of Record (PoR), and positioning the research effectively for transition.

Key Points: The transition process involves three steps: Review Navy Requirements, Look for Programs of Record (PoR), and Position Your Research (00:43:09-00:45:00). The Navy spends $300M annually across various RDT&E budget activity codes (00:08:28). Phase I of SBIR/STTR grants is 6 months, up to $150K, to show feasibility (TRL 2-3) (00:09:24). Phase II is up to 2 years, up to $1.2M, for prototype development (TRL 4-6), and Phase III transitions to PoR or acquisition (TRL 6-9) (00:09:25). Researchers must frame their work in terms of Navy mission relevance (e.g., Readiness, Survivability, or Deterrence) and communicate this to stakeholders (00:01:36-00:02:25). The Technology Transition Canvas is a tool adapted from the Lean Canvas model to help researchers map their value proposition against innovation and needs (14:13-14:53). Resources for further information include links for CRADAs, SBIR/STTR, PoR Requirements, Navy CTO Priority Technology Areas, and ONR Tech Bridges (20:58).

Context: This video is the third installment of the "Scientifically Sound || Mission Relevant || Transition Ready" video series, presented by Paula Anzer and Eileen Brewer from FedTech. The series aims to guide DoD and Naval researchers on effectively transitioning their research from the lab to real-world applications faster. This specific video focuses on navigating the pathways for technology transition, particularly by understanding Navy requirements and leveraging programs like SBIR/STTR to bridge the 'Valley of Death' between research and adoption.

Detailed Analysis

The third video details the pathways for moving research into transition, highlighting a three-step iterative process: 1. Review Navy Requirements, 2. Look for Programs of Record (PoR), and 3. Position Your Research. Reviewing Navy requirements means understanding the fleet's problems and aligning research to solve them, often by focusing on mission relevance metrics like Readiness, Survivability, or Deterrence, rather than purely technical details. Programs of Record are crucial because they represent established pathways for adoption. The speakers stress that research must be framed to connect with these existing requirements. The Navy spends $300M annually via SBIR/STTR programs, which are designed to bridge the 'Valley of Death' between early research (TRL 1-3) and deployable capabilities (TRL 9). SBIR Phase I offers up to $150K over 6 months for feasibility (TRL 2-3), while Phase II offers up to $1.2M over two years for prototype development (TRL 4-6). The video concludes by introducing the Technology Transition Canvas, a tool adapted from the Lean Canvas, to help researchers articulate their value proposition and map it to both innovation (lab side) and needs (warfighter/program side). Researchers are encouraged to engage with their lab's Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) early to ensure their work aligns with Navy priorities and maximize the chance of transition.