WASHINGTON, D.C. — The reorganization placed the elements and functions of three assistant secretaries of defense under the direction of the Chief Technology Officer. Emil Michael serves as the Department of Defense Chief Technology Officer and Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. "The new structure of R&E really sets up a lot of what you might call 'virtuous cycles of collaboration,'" Jewell said.

Jewell entered his Senate-confirmed role in December 2025. He previously served as a professor of aeronautics and astronautics at Purdue University, where he also served as director of two hypersonic wind tunnels. His background includes service as a research scientist at the Air Force Research Laboratory.

"We did receive a lot of applications and they're going through those. But we're set to commit all of the funds rapidly and get that program back on track because that's one that affected all 50 states and basically all areas of technology," Jewell said. "We want to move fast."

"One of the things that I didn't realize before taking over the job is that the department is the No. 1 sponsor for a number of K-12 and STEM activities," he said. The Department of Defense is the largest single sponsor of the First Lego League.

Timeline

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs experienced a six-month lapse after previous legislation expired on December 31, 2025. Joseph Jewell entered his Senate-confirmed role in December 2025. The second Trump administration initiated an internal reorganization of the Department of Defense early in the year to unify operational authorities and fragmented modernization work under the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering on January 31, 2026.

The Department of Defense reorganization consolidated six technology hubs as components within Research and Engineering: the Defense Innovation Unit, Strategic Capabilities Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, Office of Strategic Capital, and Test Resource Management Center on January 31, 2026. The reorganization placed the elements and functions of three assistant secretaries of defense under the direction of the Chief Technology Officer on January 31, 2026.

Congress reauthorized the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs through September 2031 on June 30, 2026. Joseph Jewell attended the Australian Defense Science, Technology, and Research Conference on July 15, 2026. Joseph he stated that the Science and Technology portfolio focuses on basic research and the initial levels of applied research on July 22, 2026.

Why It Matters

The consolidation of six major technology hubs under the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering represents a shift in how the Department of Defense manages innovation. By placing the Defense Innovation Unit, Strategic Capabilities Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, Office of Strategic Capital, and Test Resource Management Center under a unified command, the department aims to eliminate fragmented modernization efforts. This structural change places the functions of three assistant secretaries under the Chief Technology Officer, creating a centralized authority for technology strategy.

The reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs through September 2031 ensures continuity for grants that affect all 50 states and multiple technology areas. After a six-month lapse, the rapid commitment of funds seeks to restore momentum in these programs. The emphasis on moving fast and establishing virtuous cycles of collaboration reflects the department's goal to accelerate the transition from basic research to applied technology while maintaining strong international partnerships with entities such as NATO and the Five Eyes alliance.