ARP supports research that informs efforts to reform defense acquisition and deliver unmatched capability and operational superiority to the U.S. Navy and Joint Force.

We collaborate with sponsors in the Navy and DOD as well as NPS' Department of Acquisition, Finance, and Manpower to support applied research in acquisition sciences, connect students and faculty to the larger defense acquisition and innovation community, and develop future acquisition innovators.

Hon. David J. Berteau

"The NPS Acquisition Research Program is the only place in all of DoD that combines academic quality research, a focus on real results for military missions and functions, the speed necessary to be responsive to the warfighter, and the persistence over time of studies based on data and practical applications."

– Hon. David J. Berteau, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness

What We Offer

Graduate Student Research Program

Graduate Student Research Program

Every year, ARP supports hundreds of students in the Department of Acquisition, Finance, and Manpower to complete research projects that provide practical solutions to the challenges faced by the Fleet and Joint Forces.

Research Repository

Research
Repository

ARP hosts an extensive collection of original research on defense acquisition from American and international acquisition professionals, including military officers and civilian researchers.

Annual Symposium

Annual
Symposium

Each May, ARP brings together acquisition researchers, industry experts, and acquisition leaders from the Navy and DOD for two days of exploration and dialogue designed to generate meaningful progress in the field of defense acquisition.

Need to Know Newsletter

Need to Know
Newsletter

We publish a weekly round-up of of the latest research, policy updates, reform efforts, and legislation that impact the world of defense acquisition. We offer a curated selection of key stories and findings, so it's easy to stay up to date.

How We Advance Acquisition Research & Innovation

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Graduate Student Research Program

Graduate students in the Department of Acquisition, Finance, and Manpower are supported by ARP as they conduct their thesis research. We guide students through the process of producing research useful to the fleet and their future careers. And we provide forums in which students can present their research findings and share their work with senior DOD and Navy leadership, NPS faculty and students, and other acquisition professionals. 

Sponsored Research

Sponsor a research topic, and ARP will connect you with skilled acquisition researchers who can provide data collection and analysis. Our network of students, faculty, and external researchers can help conduct the research your organization needs to make smarter acquisition decisions, improve acquisition processes, and enhance program effectiveness. 
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Defense Acquistion Research Repository (DAIR)

ARP houses the Defense Acquisition Innovation Repository (DAIR), an extensive online collection of original research on defense acquisition from American and international acquisition professionals, including military officers and civilian researchers. ARP programs and symposiums generate a stream of relevant information on defense acquisition policies and management processes, with actionable recommendations for improvement.

Annual Research Symposium

The Research Symposium & Innovation Summit is an annual event that brings together academic researchers, acquisition professionals, and defense service leaders for two days of exploration, discovery, and dialogue intended to inform acquisition policy and catmodernization efforts.
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Sponsored by ASN(RDA), PEO IWS, and the NPS Foundation, this event takes place each May in Monterey, CA. The call for papers and proposals is released in early September. 
 
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Our Sponsors

ARP program sponsors support our efforts to develop the next generation of acquisition professionals and connect students and faculty to the larger defense acquisition and innovation community.

Sponsors offer research topics for students and faculty to investigate, and they attend – and speak at – the Annual Acquisition Research Symposium & Innovation Summit.

Our sponsors include the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN RDA), Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems, and the Navy's Director of Acquisition Talent Management.

ASN RDA PEO IWS DATM