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American
Defense Foundation

Empowering Dual-Use Innovation
Through Nonprofit Services

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Mission Alignment

American Defense Foundation is a Texas-registered nonprofit R&D organization committed to advancing U.S. national security and dual-use technology through structured partnerships with small businesses, universities, federal agencies, and other nonprofits.

We act as a nonprofit force multiplier—providing technical services, ecosystem navigation, and strategic advisory while enabling agile, compliant collaboration across sectors.

  • Legally qualified under STTR guidelines as a nonprofit RI
  • Lean, senior technical teams—veterans, and DOD insiders
  • No university overhead or bureaucracy
  • Execution-focused: R&D, deliverable coordination, milestone tracking
  • Support Includes:
  • Infrastructure to coordinate labs, subcontractors, and technical deliverables
  • Custom Statement of Work (SOW) design
  • Technical advisory and leadership staffing
Sub-award management and compliance

Cybersecurity

AI,
Machine Learning

Quantum
Technologies

Autonomous
Systems

Advanced
Sensing and ISR

Read More…

STTR
Partnership Services

  • ADF serves as a flexible, execution-oriented Research Institution (RI) partner for small businesses pursuing
  • STTR awards.
  • Key Differentiators:
  • Legally qualified under STTR guidelines as a nonprofit RI
  • Lean, senior technical teams—veterans, and DOD insiders
  • No university overhead or bureaucracy
  • Execution-focused: R&D, deliverable coordination, milestone tracking
  • Support Includes:
  • Infrastructure to coordinate labs, subcontractors, and technical deliverables
  • Custom Statement of Work (SOW) design
  • Technical advisory and leadership staffing
Sub-award management and compliance

Nonprofit Services
for Fellow Organizations

ADF provides R&D and innovation services to other nonprofits (e.g., foundations, academic consortia, advocacy groups) operating in adjacent domains (cybersecurity, AI, biotech, national security).

Offerings:

As a member of our organization, you’ll have access to valuable resources, networking opportunities, and industry insights to help you achieve your business goals.

– Technology scouting and evaluation
– Government grant strategy and federal alignment
– Business development and program capture
– Consortium development and CRADA support

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    Expertise. Opportunities.

    We understand that intellectual property protection is paramount for small businesses, which is why ADF requires no IP allocation—ensuring that participating companies retain full rights to their innovations and technologies.

    Strategic
    Government Engagement

    – Technology scouting and evaluation
    – Government grant strategy and federal alignment
    – Business development and program capture
    – Consortium development and CRADA support

    Trusted Advisory and Relationship Management

    ADF provides silent, senior-level support to client companies, nonprofits, and SBIR/STTR advisors, including:
    – Bridge-building between startups and research institutions
    – Relationship stewardship with federal sponsors
    – Technical messaging for Phase II/III proposals

    Flexible Structure and Compliance

    – Texas nonprofit corporation in good standing
    – IRS 501(c)(3)/(6) application in process (retroactive to formation upon approval)
    – Able to invoice and contract immediately under Texas law
    – Structured for cost recovery, not profit, in line with nonprofit governance and mission delivery