Source: U.S. Air Force.Source: U.S. Air Force.Earlier this week, the secretary of the U.S. Air Force and the director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) signed a Letter of Intent to create a new partnership. Focused on collaboration in science and engineering research, the partnership aims to bolster national security. Four areas of common interest were identified: space operations and geosciences; advanced material sciences; information and data sciences; and workforce and processes.

The partnership creates a new pathway between the basic research supported by NSF and the technologies needed to support the Air Force of the future. It reflects current White House priorities, including strong national security and efficient government operations.

"Ensuring national security through innovation in science and engineering was part of the National Science Foundation's founding mission nearly seven decades ago, and it remains one of our highest priorities today," said France Córdova, NSF’s director.

The letter frames the NSF as having a “considerably larger basic research program and community of researchers,” from which the Air Force will benefit. It also states that the partnership will facilitate “long-term planning of each organization’s research strategy, and sharing of ‘best practices’ for portfolio shaping, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce development.”

The two organizations have already held initial discussions on topics ranging from the convergence of artificial intelligence, data and materials, to placements for fellows from NSF's Graduate Research Intern Program.

“This partnership between two of America's R&D powerhouses -- the Air Force and the National Science Foundation -- will ensure that taxpayer funding of basic research is made more efficient, accelerates the development of advanced technologies for both civilian and military use, and fosters job creation and economic growth into the future," said Michael Kratsios, a deputy assistant to the President for technology policy.

The full text of the letter can be read here.