Federally Funded Research and Development Centers: A Valuable Partner for Safety, Security, and Prosperity

Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) are established by government agencies when they have specific, long-term needs that in-house staff or traditional contractors can’t meet. The most important thing to know about them is this: They’re different by design. In accordance with the public-interest purpose behind FFRDCs, the FFRDC community offers a blend of non-partisan advice, deep organizational knowledge, and creative solutions.

Note: Transition of power after a Presidential election is complicated; preparing the federal government for a seamless shift to a new administration is crucial to continuing important work on behalf of the American people. MITRE will inform this transition by sharing our insights and experiences with those involved in transition planning and with leaders in the next administration. Our recommendations derive from the ongoing, practical guidance we provide our federal agency sponsors as they face critical national challenges.

This paper is part of a collection provided to our government sponsors; it supports MITRE’s focus on assisting new administration and career civil service leaders through the transition and beyond to achieve results that matter. To view all the papers in the collection, use the "Federal Transition" link in Topics, above.