Reliance 21: An Operational Framework

Reliance 21 is the overarching framework of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Science and Technology (S&T) joint planning and coordination process. The goal of Reliance 21 is to ensure that the DoD S&T community provides solutions and advice to the Department’s senior-level decision makers, warfighters, Congress, and other stakeholders in the most effective and efficient manner possible.  This is achieved through an ecosystem and infrastructure that enables information sharing, alignment of effort, coordination of priorities, and support for scientists and engineers across the Department.

Reliance 21 has roots that go back several decades, and has been continually renewed and refreshed to ensure relevance as circumstances have evolved. This emphasis on coordinated research planning is a key strength of DoD’s S&T Enterprise.

The strength of Reliance 21 is demonstrated in the cross-cutting collaborative teams that provide strategic and technical leadership of the S&T workforce.

Download the Reliance 21 Operating Plan.

Coordinating Teams