Through the Independent Research and Developments (IRAD) activity, NASA Langley Research Center allocates funds to invest in early stage, high-payoff technologies and systems that are aligned with the NASA and Langley strategic plans and have high potential for future applications. The investment in these early stage technologies is intended to mature them to the point that, if successful, they can substantially influence future Mission Directorate programs and projects, and receive follow-on support from NASA programs, external partners, or through commercialization.
Since 2015, Langley Research Center has combined both the Center Innovation Fund (CIF) and IRAD when awarding time and resource funding to the selected projects. Some projects will align only with either CIF or IRAD support, but many are supported by a combination of both programs to leverage the most from limited resources.
Refer to 'LaRC Center Innovation Fund (CIF) and Independent Research & Developments (IRAD) Program' under TechPort for more information on the combined Langley CIF and IRAD program.
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