The University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Institute is leading a focused initiative linking our core competencies to Department of Defense requirements providing rapid and innovative solutions for defense and commercial customers.

UMass Lowell RI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy and technical expertise to solve complex problems for our customers. See how we put effective, practical solutions into action.

The UMass Small Business Innovation Research Center of Excellence offers proposal writing support, access to UMass' technical resources, and business assistance.

UMLRI and UMass Lowell combine the best of both applied and basic research to solve the innovation equation on behalf of clients. This combination provides unsurpassed expertise, technical solutions, and new levels of capability for our armed forces, our federal and state sponsors, our industry partners, and those with whom we collaborate worldwide.

The Northstar Campus in Lincoln, MA where UMLRI is located, provides a neutral 501(c)3 eco-system where Ultimate Risk Services, private industry, entrepreneurs, researchers, educators, and investors can meet and engage with the aerospace and defense stakeholders. The Northstar Campus goal is to remove barriers to engagement and accelerate defense innovation, serving as the center of gravity for the New England startup and venture communities, academia, and local and federal partners, to support the Department of Defense.  By eliminating barriers between industry, academia, and government, Northstar creates community, sparks innovation, shares resources and knowledge, and stimulates business growth.

The secure facility provides controlled access to offices, meeting rooms, networking space, and labs. The location, outside Hanscom Air Force Base’s Vandenberg Gate in Lincoln, MA, enables beneficial off-base collaboration between the Air Force Program Executive Offices, the National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, defense industry partners, and the region’s deep and vibrant innovation ecosystem.

The new NEXUS Center at Northstar Campus brings together a broad range of innovation and acquisition representatives from across all of the defense services. Their presence in this facility enables businesses, non-profits, universities, and other Massachusetts entities to have stronger communication and connectivity to understand DoD needs, requirements, and programs, while also being able to better showcase the technology and talent in the region that can be leveraged by the DoD.