# Video 3 Navigating Transition Pathways Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S6MRXDHjIc Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/4S6MRXDHjIc Generated: 2025-12-04T21:38:18.134+00:00 --- ## 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). ![Screenshot at 00:43: 09:Visual representation of the three-step process for moving research to the warfighter faster: 1. Review Navy Requirements, 2. Look for Programs of Record, and 3. Position Your Research.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/4S6MRXDHjIc/00-00-43.png) **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. ### Transition Overview - Research transition involves three steps: Review Navy Requirements - Look for Programs of Record - Position Your Research (00:43:09) ### SBIR/STTR Program Structure - Phase I (~6 mos, up to $150K, TRL 2-3) for feasibility - Phase II (~2 yrs, up to $1.2M, TRL 4-6) for prototype dev - Phase III (TRL 6-9) for PoR or acquisition (00:09:24) ### Framing Research for Requirements Sponsors - Align research with top priorities like Readiness, Survivability, or Deterrence, using plain terms to explain what improves (00:01:36) ### Framing Research for Program Office - Focus on reducing cost/risk/time and improving performance metrics to ensure technology fits the next upgrade cycle (00:01:51) ### Technology Transition Canvas - Tool adapted from Lean Canvas to map Invention (bottom) vs. Innovation (top) and Needs vs. Seeds, centering on the Value Proposition (13:58) ### Checklist for ORTA Engagement - Spot inventions early - Submit invention disclosure before publishing/presenting - Answer ORTA questions - Brief potential licensees - Ask about opportunities (00:07:26) ![Screenshot at 00:00: 00:Title slide for the Crucible Naval video series introducing the three main topics: Scientific Soundness, Mission Relevance, and Transition Readiness.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/4S6MRXDHjIc/00-00-00.png) ![Screenshot at 00:06: 15:Slide listing the five transition pathways: Knowledge Products, Other Labs, Collaborations, Partnerships, and Startups.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/4S6MRXDHjIc/00-00-06.png) ![Screenshot at 00:08: 11:Slide detailing the Congressional mandate and structure of the SBIR/STTR programs, including Phase I, II, and III funding and duration.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/4S6MRXDHjIc/00-00-08.png) ![Screenshot at 00:13: 13:Slide illustrating the three-step cyclical process for aligning research with Programs of Record and Requirements.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/4S6MRXDHjIc/00-00-13.png) ![Screenshot at 00:20: 21:Slide displaying the Technology Transition Canvas template developed by FedTech, highlighting the Innovation/Invention and Needs/Seeds axes.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/4S6MRXDHjIc/00-00-20.png)