Employee working in the Optics Lab

R&D Centers

Discovering the future, powering the possibilities.

FFRDCs Put Research to Work

The U.S. government has continually affirmed the value of federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) as long-term partners for mission success. 

By law, FFRDCs can’t manufacture products or compete directly with industry. But they can and do help industry work more effectively with government to address complex national challenges. As a not-for-profit organization, MITRE acts in the public interest by delivering objective, cost-effective solutions to many of the world's biggest challenges.

We operate six FFRDCs, each providing technical expertise, stability, and continuity to our government agency sponsors.

 

Our FFRDCs

Air Force Airman 1st Class Rashin Ortiz aligns a satellite during Bamboo Eagle

Defense & Intelligence

National Security Engineering Center (NSEC)

Sponsor: Department of Defense

Delivering impartial and independent systems thinking and technical expertise to strengthen key decision-making for national security and global defense.

Learn More

Inside cabin of a large passenger plane

Aerospace & Transportation

Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD)

Sponsor: Federal Aviation Administration

Transforming the safety, security, capacity, and efficiency of global transportation through data-driven analysis, collaborative research, and a holistic perspective.

Learn More

Interior of the Capitol hill dome, Washington DC

Civil Systems & Veterans’ Services

Center for Enterprise Modernization

Sponsor: Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service, and co-sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, and Department of Commerce

Working to shape a federal enterprise that boosts government effectiveness, secures financial systems, and improves delivery of veterans’ benefits.

Learn More

A soldier holding a drone in a field

Homeland Security

Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute™ (HSSEDI)

Sponsor: Department of Homeland Security

Driving innovation and collaboration across the homeland security enterprise to safeguard the American people and our nation’s critical infrastructure.

Learn More

Woman speaking with a doctor

Health & Human Services

The Health FFRDC

Sponsor: Department of Health and Human Services

Improving health and well-being by empowering patients, addressing root causes of disease, and strengthening the nation’s health systems.

Learn More

Businessman using computer in server room

Cybersecurity

National Cybersecurity FFRDC (NCF)

Sponsor: National Institute of Standards and Technology

Partnering with government and industry to confront cybersecurity challenges that pose a serious risk to national security, public safety, and economic prosperity.

Learn More

Air Force Airman 1st Class Rashin Ortiz aligns a satellite during Bamboo Eagle

National Security Engineering Center (NSEC)

Sponsor: Department of Defense

Delivering impartial and independent systems thinking and technical expertise to strengthen key decision-making for national security and global defense.

Learn More

Inside cabin of a large passenger plane

Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD)

Sponsor: Federal Aviation Administration

Transforming the safety, security, capacity, and efficiency of global transportation through data-driven analysis, collaborative research, and a holistic perspective.

Learn More

Interior of the Capitol hill dome, Washington DC

Center for Enterprise Modernization

Sponsor: Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service, and co-sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, and Department of Commerce

Working to shape a federal enterprise that boosts government effectiveness, secures financial systems, and improves delivery of veterans’ benefits.

Learn More

A soldier holding a drone in a field

Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute™ (HSSEDI)

Sponsor: Department of Homeland Security

Driving innovation and collaboration across the homeland security enterprise to safeguard the American people and our nation’s critical infrastructure.

Learn More

Woman speaking with a doctor

The Health FFRDC

Sponsor: Department of Health and Human Services

Improving health and well-being by empowering patients, addressing root causes of disease, and strengthening the nation’s health systems.

Learn More

Businessman using computer in server room

National Cybersecurity FFRDC (NCF)

Sponsor: National Institute of Standards and Technology

Partnering with government and industry to confront cybersecurity challenges that pose a serious risk to national security, public safety, and economic prosperity.

Learn More

FFRDC Leadership

Mark Peters

Leadership

Mark Peters, Ph.D.

President & Chief Executive Officer

Mark Peters is a recognized expert in nuclear energy and national security, with more than 25 years leading scientific discovery for federally funded R&D centers. 

Read more about Mark Peters

Keoki Jackson

Leadership

Dana (Keoki) Jackson, Sc.D.

Senior Vice President, General Manager, MITRE National Security

Keoki Jackson directs the strategic growth and execution of national security programs, supporting the DoD, DoJ, and the Intelligence Community.

Read more about Keoki Jackson

Beth Meinert

Leadership

Beth Meinert

Senior Vice President, General Manager, MITRE Public Sector

Beth Meinert sets strategy, direction, and priorities, working with sponsors of the FFRDCs MITRE operates for civilian government agencies.

Read more about Beth Meinert

Yosry Barsoum

Leadership

Yosry Barsoum

Vice President, Director, Center for Securing the Homeland

Yosry Barsoum directs the Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute™ (HSSEDI) and the National Cybersecurity FFRDC.

Read more about Yosry Barsoum

Kerry Buckley

Leadership

Kerry Buckley

Vice President, Center for Integrated Transportation; Director, Center for Advanced Aviation System Development

Kerry Buckley leads MITRE’s work advancing safety, security, and efficiency in domestic and global transportation and aerospace systems.

Read more about Kerry Buckley

Greg Crawford

Leadership

Greg K. Crawford, Ph.D.

Vice President, Mission-Driven Integration
MNS Deputy, MITRE National Security Sector

Greg Crawford leads an MNS team harnessing MITRE’s technical expertise, domain knowledge, and advanced research to address sponsor challenges.

Read more about Greg Crawford

Marin Halper

Leadership

Marin Halper

Vice President, DoD and Services Center

Marin Halper leads a broad set of organizations and programs driving the delivery of mission-critical concepts to capabilities across the Department of Defense.

Read more about Marin Halper

Stephen Ondra

Leadership

Stephen Ondra, MD

Vice President, Center for Transforming Health, Director, Health FFRDC

Stephen Ondra leads our collaboration with government, industry, and academia to achieve data-driven innovation in healthcare, public health, and social services.

Read more about Stephen Ondra

Katie Schroth

Leadership

Katie Schroth

Vice President, Air & Space Forces Center

Katie Schroth directs MITRE teams who support Air and Space Force mission objectives in the skies, space, cyber operations, and nuclear modernization.

Read more about Katie Schroth

Kevin Toner

Leadership

Kevin Toner

Vice President, Center for Government Effectiveness and Modernization

Kevin Toner directs our support of U.S. civil agencies through the Center for Enterprise Modernization, transforming how they serve the public.

Read more about Kevin Toner

Austin Wang

Leadership

Austin Wang

Vice President, Intelligence Center

Austin Wang leads our mission-focused efforts to drive joint and multi-agency solutions across the intelligence and national security enterprise. 

Read more about Austin Wang

Woman holding a small drone

Focus Areas

We are creating breakthroughs, fueling opportunity through exploration, and shaping history in real time.
abstract digital lines

Breaking Barriers in Defense Acquisition

A summit for defense capabilities and tech thought leaders and forward-thinking acquisition experts.