Launching Innovation for Impact: A New Forum for National Security Tech Transfer

Release date: June 1, 2026

Technology transfer is already challenging, but it gets even more complicated when national security is involved. Federal labs are trying to move important research and capabilities out into the world, while also protecting sensitive information, managing risk, and making sure the wrong details do not end up in the wrong hands.

That is the thinking behind Innovation for Impact: A National Security Technology Transfer Forum, a new FLC event taking place December 1 through 3, 2026, in Leesburg, Virginia. FLC Vice Chair David Lee and FLC Promote Committee Chair Annie Bullock Yoder join us today to talk about why this forum was created, who it is meant to serve, and what attendees can expect from the federal-only training tracks and Industry Engagement Day.

This conversation looks at the larger moment facing the federal innovation community right now. There is a real need for speed, collaboration, and practical training, but there is also a need to protect the research, resources, and partnerships that matter most. David and Annie share how this new forum is being shaped around those realities and why bringing the right people into the same room could make a meaningful difference.

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In This Episode:

[02:43] Annie Bullock Yoder explains how the idea for Innovation for Impact grew out of the FLC’s post-COVID shift away from regional in-person training events.
[03:28] National security has become a critical focus for federal technology transfer, especially as labs balance accelerating innovation with protecting sensitive resources and data.
[04:35] David Lee describes the forum as a way to bring together practical in-person training and stronger engagement with industry partners.
[05:26] The event is designed to give tech transfer professionals and supporting attorneys focused training, then connect that critical mass of federal lab expertise with industry.
[06:57] The event will take place December 1 through 3 at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia.
[07:27] The first two days will focus on federal-only legal and tech transfer training tracks, while the third day will serve as an Industry Engagement Day.
[08:12] Potential partners include academia, defense contractors, companies interested in entering the defense space, and state or local agencies working in homeland security.
[09:19] Possible training topics include handling classified material in CRADAs, working with security offices on DD 254s, and managing university partnerships with foreign collaborators.
[10:52] Success will be measured partly through feedback, but also through the longer-term relationships, agreements, and technology outcomes that may follow the event.
[12:09] Strong attendance would be an early sign of success and would show whether there is real demand for this kind of focused FLC-led event.
[13:16] Survey responses and return attendance would help the FLC understand whether the training and partnering opportunities provided meaningful value.
[14:19] If the model works, similar forums could eventually be adapted for other federal lab focus areas such as biotech, pharma, energy, environment, infrastructure, or agriculture.
[15:30] Practical reasons to attend include training, knowledge-sharing, networking, and the chance to make industry partners more familiar with federal lab capabilities.
[16:51] The planning timeline includes the June 15 topic submission deadline and the goal of opening registration before the end of August.