12 Proceedings Spring 2025 Partnership’s Role in Research The Power of Partnerships by Joe direNzo, ph.d. Partnership Director Research and Development Center U.S. Coast Guard I n the dynamic world of research and development, partnerships play a pivotal role in amplifying the impact and importance of an organization’s work. To understand the significance of these collaborations for the Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC) consider its staff, just over 80 people comprising leadership, scientists, engineers, and support staff, is a component of the National Security Research Enterprise (NSRE). The RDC may seem like a small fish in a big pond when compared to other NSRE members like the Air Force Research Lab, which boasts 11,500 military, civilian, and contract personnel across 10 states with a budget of $7 billion. However, this size comparison does not fully capture the RDC’s impact over 52 years of ser- vice as the science advisor to the Coast Guard. The RDC has had a well-earned reputation of doing more with less. A testament to its ability to exceed expec- tations, Commandant of the Coast Guard ADM Linda L. Fagan acknowledged during her remarks during the 50th anniversary celebration in February 2023 that the RDC has been “punching above our weight class.” This is facilitated, in part, by leveraging the ultimate force multiplier—partnerships. Currently, more than 80% of the FY 2025-approved portfolio leverages at least one partner, and occasionally more. These alliances amplify the RDC’s effectiveness, enabling it to make a disproportionately large impact relative to its size, underscoring the potential of part- nerships to drive exceptional results and uplift even relatively smaller organizations to out perform their contemporaries. The RDC’s success story thus serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of strategic collaborations. Before delving into the intricacies of leveraging part- nerships, it is essential to understand what the term “partnerships” entails within the context of the RDC. In this context, partnerships refer to a range of activities and agreements that the RDC’s researchers can employ to foster collaborative efforts, including memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and cooperative research and development agreements (CRADA), as well as engage- ment with: • Department of Defense (DoD) • Department of Energy commands and labs • The Federal Lab Consortium (FLC) • Federally funded research and development centers • Academia • The Commandant’s Emerging Policy staff for Evergreen events and War Games • Engagement with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (CGA) and national symposiums • Private industry • Other state and federal agencies Each partnership activity offers unique benefits and advantages, contributing to the RDC’s overall success. These relationships not only enhance the center’s capabil- ities, but also strengthen the NSRE as a whole. Therefore, it is essential for the RDC to strategically engage in these partnership activities to maximize their potential impact and value. In the following sections, each partnership activity will be explored in detail, providing insights and best practices for leveraging these collaborative opportunities. Memorandums of Understanding and DoD Lab Commanders The RDC employs MOUs as a formal method to establish connections between entities engaged in collaborative research. MOUs serve to clarify individual responsi- bilities, mutual focus, and objectives, ensuring that all parties involved have a clear understanding of the rela- tionship. These documents establish expectations, iden- tify points of contact, and define a specific duration for the partnership. One of the most impactful partnerships is with the DoD laboratory commanders. Signed on October 28, 2019, this MOU includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, and is intended to facilitate cooperation on a diverse array of programs, enhancing the overall collaborative efforts of the armed forces. The MOU has a seven-year term, providing a stable foundation for long- term partnerships. This DoD Laboratory Commander Sync MOU enables all signatories to share science and technology (S&T) and research and development (R&D) data, including
