Submit NLT 22 August 2025 11:59 PM ET
U.S. Citizens Only
Purpose
SOFWERX and ICWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM’s Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T) and the Intelligence Community (IC), will host the seventeenth Innovation Foundry event (IF17) in Chantilly, VA. This event aims to bring together Special Operations Forces (SOF) and IC personnel, industry, academia, national laboratories, and futurists to explore and ideate around future scenarios and missions. The theme of IF17 is, ‘Field-Forward Operations – Future Challenges for SOF and the IC in Data Dense Environments'.
USSOCOM S&T has developed and refined a unique process, the Innovation Cycle, to engage technology pioneers and leaders, and to discover and develop high risk, innovative, and disruptive concepts, capabilities and technologies for future on-boarding. This Innovation Foundry is the first phase of the Innovation Cycle and will be focused on idea generation. Deliverables for IF17 will include preliminary capability concepts targeting the defined problem areas which may impact SOF and IC operations in the 2035 timeframe in global forward, potentially austere, areas. This event will be followed by (1) a Rapid Capability Assessment (RCA) to further develop the preliminary capability concepts, and (2) a series of Integrated Technology Sprints (ITS), to demonstrate proofs of concept.
Why You Should Participate
The event will be a compelling opportunity for leading minds and innovators in industry, academia, labs, and government, as well as subject matter experts (SMEs) to collaborate and ideate with other experts.
During IF17, selected participants will ideate, collaborate, and develop concepts for the future needs of SOF and IC operators and analysts. USSOCOM also uses Innovation Foundries to build key relationships with entrepreneurs and technology developers.
Who Should Participate?
We are interested in applications from the following areas of expertise but if you feel you have specific innovative ideas to contribute, please provide a short background of why you think your experience can bring novel solutions in this space. The following areas of expertise or interest include, but are not limited to:
Problem Statement
Field-forward operations refer to the real-time or near real-time collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence information in the field or at the source to support mission planning and tactical decision making. These activities rely on advanced technologies, including diverse sensors, smart systems, distributed networks, communication platforms, and AI-driven analytical suites. While these technologies offer significant advantages by providing actionable insights in real-time, they also introduce vulnerabilities (e.g., data reliability and accuracy, cybersecurity, processing speed, energy efficiency). Addressing these vulnerabilities is crucial for maximizing the potential of these technologies while minimizing risks, thereby enabling mission success.
To address these challenges, SOF & the IC will need to:
What you will do at IF17:
To describe what might be, participants will:
Event Timeline
Phase 1 – 04 August 2025 to 22 August 2025 Submissions Open: Futurists and visionaries from industry, academia, government and national labs who are experts in the areas of interest listed above and those who are specialized in SOF Operations are encouraged to participate in the IF17 Event by submitting a CV *(Curriculum Vitae) below NLT 22 August 2025.
*Please note: each individual must submit their own CV for possible SME selection for the event
Phase 2 – 25 August 2025 to 12 September 2025 SME Review: SME submissions will be reviewed; SOFWERX will be notified of invited participants. All participants will be notified of their attendance status o/a 19 September.
Phase 3 – 28 October 2025 to 30 October 2025 Innovation Foundry 16 Event: During the event, selected participants will collaborate and ideate with fellow SMEs, the USSOCOM S&T Directorate, and the Intelligence Community on the concept areas above. Selectees should plan for workdays from 0800-1700 Eastern time.
This event will be held in person at a location in Chantilly, Virginia.
Phase 4 – Path Forward:
After completion of the Innovation Foundry Event, USSOCOM S&T and organizers may negotiate awards which fall under any combination of the following:
NOTE: Awardees may need to be compliant with NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Non-Federal Systems and Organizations
How You Can Participate
Industry, Academia, Government, and National Labs Participants
For event-related questions, please contact IF17 Team