Office of the Secretary of Defense

The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) is the principal civilian staff element of the U.S. Secretary of Defense and is part of the U.S. Department of Defense. Its responsibilities include policy development, planning, resource management, and program evaluation. Through various component offices, such as the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) and the Office of Strategic Capital (OSC), the OSD funds and supports the development of innovative technologies critical to national security. This is accomplished through financial assistance mechanisms like grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts with small businesses, universities, and other research entities. Notable funding programs include the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF), and the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) pilot program. The OSD's investment focus is on accelerating technology from development to production to ensure U.S. warfighters have the capabilities needed to address emerging threats.