ALIGNING USAF STUDENT RESEARCH WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Abstract

The United States Air Force (USAF) is not effectively utilizing the student research ecosystem to contribute toward USAF strategic priorities. This project researched how the USAF can enhance student research to contribute toward senior leaders’ requirements. The USAF needs to align academic research to provide solutions toward strategic competition in a resource-constrained environment. Aligning research to problems can only enhance the resulting innovation. We submitted a survey to 1,175 USAF students at civilian institutions. Of 266 responses, 83% had a deliverable requirement, 81% did not receive information about current USAF research priorities and funding opportunities, 91% would have considered incorporating USAF research priorities into their graduate research if they had received information about them, and 95% would potentially use a mobile application that gives access to prioritized USAF research questions, command sponsorships, and funding. Not aligning USAF-sponsored academic research with strategic priorities is mainly an organizational problem. First, the USAF should improve the talent management process to match students to appropriate research fields. Second, the USAF should improve education about academic resources for aligning research, finding sponsors, and securing funding. Lastly, the USAF should connect existing AFIT/CI students across the research ecosystem via a mobile application endorsed by Air Education and Training Command.