National Defense & Intelligence Innovation Institute
National Defense & Intelligence Innovation Institute (NDI3)
Turning Innovation into Mission Advantage
The NDI3 accelerates the transition of mission-critical technologies into operational use through advances in transformative interdisciplinary research, robust government – industry – academic partnerships, and next-generation workforce development.
Corvid is proud to support UNC Charlotte’s Institute for Defense and Security Innovation. Their work is a vital blueprint for how universities can drive defense manufacturing and help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges.”
– David Robinson, CEO, Corvid Technologies
National Defense & Intelligence Innovation Institute launched at UNC Charlotte!
Partnerships
Amplifying Impact through Connectivity
Meet our leadership
Dr. Mesbah Uddin is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UNC Charlotte and as the Faculty Fellow for Defense Research Initiatives aligns university research priorities, technical expertise, and resources with the needs of the U.S. Department of Defense in support of mission-driven research, workforce development, and technology transition. His expertise spans fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, and computational and experimental modeling, with applications in ground and aerial vehicle mobility, survivability, and digital twin technologies. He has led and contributed to collaborative efforts with DEVCOM organizations, Naval Surface Warfare Centers, and defense industry partners, and has significant experience facilitating alignment between academic research strengths and DoD Broad Agency Announcements. Dr. Uddin also supports faculty and industry partners in pursuing STTR and SBIR opportunities, with a strong emphasis on defense workforce development and transition-focused innovation.
Jacqueline M. Selig-Gumtow, DISES (Ret.) is the lead for Artificial Intelligence and Security Research Initiatives at UNC Charlotte, where she shapes and advances applied AI and security research in support of national defense. She works across academia, government, and industry to translate emerging technologies into operationally relevant capabilities and accelerate their adoption in real-world missions. With more than 30 years of service in the U.S. intelligence community, she held senior leadership roles spanning intelligence analysis, cyber operations, and advanced analytic capability development. She led multidisciplinary teams delivering AI-enabled, data-driven solutions that directly supported warfighter and national security missions. She is also a certified executive leadership coach, mentoring leaders across the military, government and industry.
Research Pillars: UNC Charlotte research Partnerships making a Difference
Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Metrology
Designing, fabricating, and precisely measuring for next-generation materials and smart manufacturing 4.0.
Cyber-Security and Cyber-Physical Resilience
The protection and hardening of digital systems and interconnected physical assets against cyber threats to ensure continuity, safety, and trust.
UAS and Counter-UAS Research
Research to support the development of unmanned aerial systems and technologies to detect, track, mitigate, and neutralize hostile or unauthorized drones.
Operational Energy Systems and Resilient Infrastructure
Energy innovations that ensure reliable, efficient, and secure energy generation, storage, and distribution to support mission-critical operations.
Directed Energy, Photonics and Opto-Electronics
Laser, optical, and electronic systems research that enables precision sensing, communication, and defensive capabilities across defense and security applications.
Military Health and Rehabilitation & Human Performance
Advancing military health and rehabilitation by enhancing human performance and using cognitive models to address physical, cognitive, and behavioral needs.
NDI3 Hives of Activity
AI Institute
CLTAI2 accelerates UNC Charlotte’s nationally recognized AI research expertise in computer science, energy, health, education and leadership, manufacturing, data science, ethics, engineering, risk management and the arts, to positively shape a rapidly emerging AI future.
AI4Health
Revolutionizing Health care with AI, the AI4Health Center leverages AI technologies to inform personalized, data-driven, and precise health care decisions to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.
Applied GIScience
The Center for Applied Geographic Information Science (CAGIS) addresses pressing multi-scale urban and environmental issues through cutting-edge spatiotemporal analytics and innovation.
CIPHER
The Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environment Risks (CIPHER) catalyzes team science and collaborations in infectious diseases and molecular diagnostics.
CESAR
The Center for Energy Security and Reliability (CESAR) is where innovation meets impact for cybersecurity and sustainable energy solutions.
CITeR
The Center for Identification Technology Research (CITeR) connects University researchers with government and industry stakeholders to advance the state-of-the-art human identification capabilities.
Leadership Science
The Center for Applied Geographic Information Science (CAGIS) addresses pressing multi-scale urban and environmental issues through cutting-edge spatiotemporal analytics and innovation.
EPIC
The Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) advances research, education, and industry collaboration to strengthen the resilience, security, and sustainability of energy production, delivery, and critical infrastructure systems.
TAIMingAI
The Center for Trustworthy AI Through Model Risk Management (TAIMingAI) works to ensure AI and AI-based systems are safe, controlled and managed in across applications.
Violence Prevention
The Violence Prevention Center (VPC) is a catalyst for change for violence prevention and specializes in exceptional research and training for reducing the factors that lead to self-harm and suicide.
Highlights of our Research
The Academy for Veteran and Military Health (AVMH)
Improving health and community reintegration of military affiliated populations, including veterans, service members, and their families…
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Emerging national leader in advanced manufacturing talent
Preeminent researchers with state-of-the-art facilities and technical equipment are accelerating American advanced manufacturing…
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Helping smart machines make smarter decisions
A UNC Charlotte researcher is building smarter systems where the agents know how much communication power they have and adjust their behavior accordingly…
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UNC Charlotte’s Grid Innovation Earns NSF Engines Finalist Recognition
UNC Charlotte is a National Science Foundation finalist in its Regional Innovation Engines program…
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Center of Excellence: UNC Charlotte cybersecurity program lauded by National Security Administration
One of only 93 universities in the U.S. to currently hold this designation, UNC Charlotte was a member of the NSA’s…
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Military delegation visits UNC Charlotte to explore strengthening defense-academic research ties
As the military continues to innovate and evolve, UNC Charlotte stands ready to contribute to the development of technologies that will shape the future…
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Hamby, Hudson to attend select international security and intelligence program
The Cambridge Security Initiative’s ISI-Pro is one of the world’s foremost programs for developing the next generation of security and intelligence leaders….
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Opportunities to upgrade your defense, security and innovation knowledge
Industry, government and businesses can recruit our more than 32,000 exceptional students for internships and more than 8,700 annual graduates for jobs through the UNC Charlotte Career Center.
UNC Charlotte offers over 160 different academic, certificate and professional programs, many of which prepare students for defense and intelligence professional pathways.
For students and alumni interested in pursuing defense and intelligence career pathways, the Career Center offers guidance.
In addition to numerous graduate programs, The School of Professional Studies offers 60+ online degrees and certificates and 30+ professional programs.
Highlighted Programs and Services
Division of Student Affairs Military & Veteran Services
Military & Veteran Services continues the institution’s founding purpose of serving North Carolina’s military affiliated students by facilitating educational opportunities and providing outstanding support to our veteran students.
More about Division of Student Affairs Military & Veteran Services
Army ROTC
UNC Charlotte 49er Battalion Army ROTC provides leadership training and experiences for students to succeed in any competitive environment and prepares them to become commissioned Army Officers upon graduation.
Air Force ROTC
The UNC Charlotte Air Force ROTC Detachment 592 build leadership and management skills that are beneficial in all careers and with successful completion leads to a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force or US Space Force upon graduation.
Military Science Minor
This minor provides expertise in leadership, ethics, professionalism, briefing techniques, national security issues, American history, team-building, and military law, and written and oral communication skills, offering an advantage for any future government employment.
AI Institute
The AI Institute for Research highlights numerous opportunities for education and training in artificial intelligence across campus, a foundational tool for the current and future workforce.