Department of Defense Announces Updated STEM Strategic Plan

Arlington, VA – The Department of Defense (DoD), through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), is pleased to announce the release of the updated DoD STEM Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2021–2025.

DoD leaders are invested in developing current and future STEM talent to meet the Department’s unique mission. This STEM strategic plan, coupled with its follow-on implementation plan, provides an overarching framework for achieving the DoD STEM mission and vision, which are framed by Federal-wide priorities while focusing on DoD’s unique missions, needs, and resources.

The Department’s STEM strategic plan addresses critical challenges using evidence-based approaches and evaluation, laying out the goals and objectives, as included in the plan, to build a deep, diverse STEM talent base. The four main goals laid out in this plan are:

  • Goal 1: Inspire community engagement in DoD STEM education programs and activities to provide meaningful STEM learning opportunities for students and educators.
  • Goal 2: Attract the Nation and DoD’s current and future STEM workforce through multiple pathways to educational and career opportunities.
  • Goal 3: Increase participation of underserved and underrepresented groups in STEM education and workforce development programs, activities, and outreach.
  • Goal 4: Advance the efficiency and effectiveness of STEM education and workforce development programs, activities, and outreach through evaluation and assessment.

“The exceptional scientists and engineers in the Department of Defense, along with those working for our industrial and academic partners, are the reason the United States of America is a world leader in the science and technologies that will determine nations’ security and prosperity in the 21st century,” said Dr. Robert Irie, Acting Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Research and Technology. “The Department is cultivating the future STEM workforce by providing unique education opportunities to students and educators of all ages and across all demographics throughout the country. These efforts are vitally important to maintaining our Nation’s competitive advantage, ensuring we are prepared for the ever-changing global technology landscape.”

In order to achieve the goals and objectives outlined in the strategic plan and to make progress toward the Department’s vision of a diverse, ready, and sustainable STEM talent pool, OUSD(R&E) will release a STEM implementation plan in the future. The purpose of this implementation plan will be to provide specific steps for achieving the DoD STEM mission, vision, goals, and objectives across the Department and within the DoD Components.

Click to access the DoD STEM Strategic Plan OPEN PDF.

Second Quarter Laboratory Scientist, STEM Advocate, and Technology Transfer Advocate Awards