sible to, multiple facilities of the Depart-
ment, including mission-critical installa-
tions, to maximize collaboration between 
eligible consortia and the Department of 
Defense. 
(B) PREFERENCE.—In considering geo-
graphic distribution, the Secretary may give 
preference to regions with demonstrated stra-
tegic relevance to national security missions, in-
cluding those with newly constructed or ex-
panded Department facilities and intelligence 
community investments. 
(c) 
OBJECTIVES
OF
DEFENSE
TECHNOLOGY 
HUBS.—The objectives of a defense technology hub under 
the Program are as follows: 
(1) To accelerate the research, development, 
prototyping, and transition to operational use of 
emerging technologies intended for military applica-
tions, such as artificial intelligence, edge networking 
and computing, quantum technologies, human-ma-
chine teaming, hypersonics, biotechnology, and ad-
vanced manufacturing. 
(2) To foster partnerships among components 
of the Department of Defense, private industry, aca-
demic institutions, and State and local governments. 
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(3) To address regional defense technology 
needs while leveraging local expertise, infrastructure, 
and economic strengths, including proximity to Fed-
eral mission partners such as combat support agen-
cies and participation in existing innovation con-
sortia or university-industry alliances. 
(4) To promote workforce development and 
training programs to build a skilled pipeline for de-
fense innovation including partnerships with re-
search universities, community colleges, and voca-
tional programs. 
(5) To enhance the resilience and security of 
the defense industrial base. 
(d) GRANTS.— 
(1) GRANTS
AUTHORIZED.—Under the Pro-
gram, the Secretary may award grants to defense 
technology hubs. 
(2) USE OF FUNDS.—A defense technology hub 
receiving a grant under paragraph (1) shall use the 
amounts of the grant for the following purposes: 
(A) As seed funding for establishment of 
the defense technology hub. 
(B) For research, prototyping, and tech-
nology transition projects consistent with the 
objectives set forth in subsection (c). 
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(C) Administrative and evaluation expenses 
of the defense technology hub relating activities 
under the Program. 
(D) Establishing and maintaining required 
security and compliance systems and functions. 
(e) SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Under the Program, each 
defense technology hub shall do the following: 
(A) Implement cybersecurity measures con-
sistent with Department cybersecurity stand-
ards. 
(B) Ensure all research and technology 
transfers comply with the International Traffic 
in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export 
Administration Regulations (EAR). 
(C) Prevent participation by foreign enti-
ties of concern, as identified by the Secretary in 
coordination with the heads of the elements of 
the intelligence community (as defined in sec-
tion 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 
U.S.C. 3003)) or identified in the Entity List 
maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Se-
curity of the Department of Commerce and set 
forth in Supplement No. 4 to part 744 of title 
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15, Code of Federal Regulations, and consistent 
with existing Federal designations. 
(D) Establish mechanisms to prevent un-
authorized access to sensitive defense-related 
research and technology. 
(E) Establish necessary programs, infra-
structure, and processes to sponsor, obtain, and 
hold security clearances for the purposes of en-
abling classified research, development, and 
prototyping of emerging defense technologies. 
(2) MONITORING
AND
ENFORCEMENT.—The 
Secretary shall, in coordination with the Director of 
the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agen-
cy, establish procedures to monitor and enforce com-
pliance with the requirements set forth in paragraph 
(1). 
(f) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.— 
(1) GUIDELINES
REQUIRED.—The Secretary 
shall develop guidelines under the Program for intel-
lectual property ownership and licensing within the 
defense technology hubs, balancing national security 
needs with commercial incentives for private sector 
participation. 
(2) RETENTION
OF
RIGHTS.—The guidelines 
developed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include 
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provisions for the Department to retain necessary 
rights for defense applications while allowing mem-
bers of consortia that are defense technology hubs to 
pursue commercial opportunities as may be appro-
priate. 
(g) FUNDING.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the De-
partment of Defense to carry out the Program 
$375,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2026 
through 2030. 
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Of the amounts appro-
priated pursuant to the authorization in paragraph 
(1), $75,000,000 shall be available to the Secretary 
to award grants under subsection (d). 
(3) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of 
support provided to a defense technology hub under 
the Program in a fiscal year may not exceed 50 per-
cent of the total cost of the operations and activities 
of the defense technology hub under the Program in 
that fiscal year. 
(h) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall admin-
ister the Program through the Under Secretary of 
Defense for Research and Engineering, acting 
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