Sponsors (3)
Last progress June 5, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 5, 2025 by Eric Stephen Schmitt
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Creates a Defense Technology Hubs Program within the Department of Defense to designate, fund, and support a nationwide network of regional hubs that speed development and commercialization of defense-related technologies. The Program will set selection criteria and geographic distribution goals, provide grants with federal cost-share rules, require security and intellectual property protections, coordinate with existing innovation efforts, and mandate independent evaluation and annual reporting. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment, requires program alignment to avoid duplicating other federal innovation programs, and directs periodic independent evaluations and annual reports to Congress to measure technology outputs, national security impact, and return on investment.
States the purpose of the Act is to enhance national security and technological superiority.
Requires the Secretary of Defense to establish a network of regional defense technology hubs.
Directs that the regional hubs foster innovation, collaboration, and rapid development of defense-related technologies.
States the hubs should attract talent from across the United States.
"Anchor Federal defense institution" means a defense manufacturing facility, an institution of higher education that works with the Department on research, development, testing, and evaluation, or a military installation.
Primary effects will fall on DoD program offices, regional consortia (including universities, industry partners, startups, and state/local partners), and companies working on critical and emerging technologies. DoD will need to stand up program staff, selection processes, grant management, security reviews, and reporting systems. Regional institutions and small and large businesses could receive grant funding, partnerships, and access to defense customers; they will be required to meet security and IP rules. Existing federal innovation programs and research initiatives will need to coordinate with the new hubs to prevent overlap; some federal resources and mission platforms may be leveraged. Workforce impacts include efforts to attract and train technical talent in hub regions, potentially increasing local job opportunities in advanced technology fields. Local and state governments may engage as partners or funders of regional consortia. The statute does not itself appropriate funds but authorizes grant funding and cost-share structures; actual financial impact depends on subsequent appropriations and DoD program implementation.