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AFCEA International’s Cyber Committee Proposes National Innovation Strategy

The proposal aims to encourage U.S. government officials to strengthen the country's innovation ecosystem.

AFCEA's Cyber Committee aims to strengthen U.S. innovation with its National Innovation Strategy for the highest levels of government.

AFCEA International’s Cyber Committee developed and published its National Innovation Strategy (NIS) proposal on November 19 to address the United States' role in the international innovation ecosystem and advise U.S. entities and the highest levels of government on how to make the United States a top competitor in global innovation.

The NIS discusses challenges and amplifies emerging opportunities for fostering a more robust pathway to innovation in the United States. The proposal emphasizes the crucial role of innovation in strengthening national security, economic prosperity and societal well-being.

“With the last national innovation strategy proposed in 2015, the Cyber Committee sought to provide impetus and an updated approach to fostering innovation. Among other recommendations, the strategy calls for a significant increase in collaboration between government, industry, research and academic leaders to improve the United States’ competitiveness in fostering innovation,” said John Gilligan, the committee’s co-chair. “The NIS also analyzes the international innovation landscape with several country examples and outlines steps the United States can take to rise above competitors within the innovation ecosystem.”

Over the next five years of NIS implementation, the goals are for the United States to rank first in the Global Innovation Index; protect and secure the nation’s critical infrastructure; increase innovation-driven economic growth and job creation; and balance technological advancements with ethical considerations.

The NIS is a proposal for the incoming U.S. administration, but it is also a call to action. Some of the recommended actions include increasing research and development funding, creating a National Innovation Council and developing agile regulatory frameworks for innovative technologies.

"As we enter a new chapter of leadership, it’s imperative the next administration prioritizes results-driven innovation to address our most pressing challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities,” said James P. Craft, committee member and co-chair of the National Innovation Strategy subcommittee. “Innovation is not just a tool for progress; it’s the foundation of our national security, economic prosperity and global competitiveness. By fostering a culture of collaboration across government, industry and academia, we can drive efficiencies, reduce costs and maintain our edge on the world stage."

The Cyber Committee's NIS proposal can be found in AFCEA's Resource Library.