The Evolution of National Security
Understanding and Participation
Uniforms have lost their uniformity. Today’s national security ecosystem extends far beyond the military. Visionaries are applying classified and unclassified R&D to advance American efforts that protect our interests, advance our way of life, and satiate our curiosity. Lewis-Burke actively engages with the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Intelligence Community, and key congressional committees overseeing these agencies to understand emerging trends, enable new partnerships with the academic and private sectors, and advance opportunities for our clients.
Results Speak Volumes
National Security
Enhance the Classified Workforce Pipeline
Client: Leading Research University
On behalf of a university client, Lewis-Burke drafted and lobbied for a pilot program to ensure undergraduate and graduate students are fully cleared upon completion of their degree to ensure seamless transition into the classified workforce.
National Security
Establish National Cybersecurity Center
Client: Federal Research and Development Institute
Lewis-Burke led the development and facilitated execution of a comprehensive federal strategy to obtain sustained support for a federal research and development institute and re-launch its next phase with a new long-term Department of Defense (DOD) contract. A key element of this strategy was establishing a new national cybersecurity center focused on the manufacturing sector and obtaining funding to support the center’s growth.
National Security
Building Support for NASA’s Heliophysics Division
Client: Multiple Universities
NASA’s Heliophysics Division budget underwent a multi-year period of stagnation and decline while other NASA science divisions consistently received funding increases. This was particularly concerning for one Lewis-Burke client with leading capabilities in solar science and experience partnering with NASA on Heliophysics missions.
National Security
Advance Intelligence on New Competitive Funding Mechanisms
Client: Multiple Universities
NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate was beginning to consider new competitive research institutes in engineering technologies. Lewis-Burke worked with the agency to think through the approach, shared information about new topics well ahead of the solicitation, and enabled a client to successfully obtain a multi-million dollar funding award.
Unique Integrated Approach
Awareness, Scope and Capability
Lewis-Burke positions clients for defense, intelligence, space, and cybersecurity wins. Remaining focused on relevant research opportunities and trends, we track the broader forces across the national security landscape–like funding and contract mechanisms, regulations and security practices, and organizational shifts–that help us quickly adapt to changing circumstances and priorities.
Trends to Watch
Congress and the Executive Branch are taking steps to bolster the national security space enterprise. Five new Space Policy Directives focus federal priorities on human moon exploration, commercial space, space traffic management, cybersecurity of space-based assets, and Space Force.
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) is the premier medical research funding at DOD. We advise clients how to engage the CDMRP program, track the latest medical research priorities, and advocate for new topics through the appropriations process.
Defense, space, homeland security, and other research organizations/labs are increasingly looking to access innovation from outside the government at academic labs, research parks, and non-traditional companies to support national security needs.
Non-traditional contracting, innovation themed competitions, prize challenges, crowdsourcing, and awards are on the increase. Rather than simply wait for funding new avenues, we anticipate signature security initiatives and what will influence future policy directions.
Defense
Lewis-Burke’s national security coverage focuses on the Defense Department’s Science and Technology enterprise, providing advance intelligence and background on defense basic scientific research programs, applied research interests, and advanced technology development challenges and opportunities to help clients apply their research more directly to each agency’s unique challenges and problems. Our staff has deep connections across DOD and on congressional intelligence and armed services committees, and robust expertise in their associated policies and activities, including in advising faculty on how to engage DOD in the classified arena and formulating successful appropriations advocacy strategies.
Space
Space is no longer the domain of government entities alone. Private sector partners from academia, industry, and non-profit organizations continue to expand their contributions to space-based capabilities. Our established connections help clients differentiate themselves from competitors as new opportunities appear—whether in space sciences, space technology, aeronautics, or military space—and effectively convey their interests to decision-makers on Capitol Hill. In particular, the new Space Force, focused on rapid technology maturation and agile acquisition mechanisms, necessitates a different approach than the basic research focused pathways that universities have traditionally used to partner with DOD.
Cybersecurity
We live in a connected world. Our workforce, commercial sectors, government, research, and educational communities all rely upon data system security, integrity, and digital infrastructure. Lewis-Burke collaborates with clients to craft and implement strategies that drive cybersecurity innovation and address capability gaps — answering the needs as they present themselves and anticipating challenges before they happen. Lewis-Burke has worked with clients to bolster their cybersecurity education programs (K-grey) and gain key recognition through U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Security Agency (NSA), opening new federal funding streams. These strategies align client interests and strengths with specific federal and congressional opportunities.
Domestic Security & Criminal Justice
Research institutions are central to forging evidence-based domestic security practices and technologies that are both ethical and effective — it’s why we built a unique practice area related to shaping and positioning our clients to take advantage of homeland security and criminal justice funding opportunities. Our team has intimate knowledge of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate initiatives and appropriations support mechanisms, as well as intelligence related to DHS Centers of Excellence competitions. We also closely track emerging priorities at the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and offices throughout the federal government that support the development of research-informed criminal justice practices and procedures.
Let's Get Started
Our ability to frame discussions and interact with national security mission agencies and relevant congressional offices/committees is what puts our clients ahead. We maintain ties with House and Senate Armed Services Committees and Defense Appropriations Subcommittees to shepherd client priorities through the authorization and appropriations process. It’s your turn.