DoW SciTechCONNECT Access Granted

“Access Granted” takes you behind the scenes of the Department of War’s most ambitious science and technology efforts – where discovery meets defense and innovation comes from every corner of the nation. Each episode spotlights the researchers, industry partners, and HBCU innovators driving breakthroughs that shape our national security future.

From campus labs to command centers, you’ll hear how ideas evolve into mission-ready capabilities and how collaboration across the Department fuels a stronger, more inclusive innovation ecosystem. This is Access Granted: your front-row seat to the people, partnerships, and progress powering the DoW’s science and technology enterprise.

Featured Episode

Featured: From Campus to Capability: North Carolina A&T’s Path to R1 and National Security Impact

In this episode of Access Granted, North Carolina A&T State University Vice Chancellor for Research Dr. Lisa Clough discusses the university’s strategy to achieve R1 status while deepening its role in the Department of War science and technology ecosystem. The conversation centers on a “people-first” approach to partnerships, the university’s three core research focus areas (critical technologies, regional innovation, and agriculture/biotech), and how these intersect with national security priorities. Dr. Clough outlines how NC A&T is moving research from lab to real-world impact through patents, tech transfer, and commercialization pathways, supported by state and federal partnerships. She highlights the importance of workforce development, student investment, and cultural shifts within academia to enable scalable innovation. The discussion also explores how federal opportunities, including DoW engagement, are accelerating research funding, PhD production, and infrastructure needed for R1 designation. The episode closes with a call to action for universities: be curious, invest in capability, and proactively identify win-win opportunities to contribute to national security outcomes.

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Building the Defense Ecosystem: How North Carolina Connects Mission, Talent, and Innovation
In this episode of Access Granted, leaders from the North Carolina Military Business Center discuss how North Carolina is operationalizing a full-spectrum defense innovation ecosystem.The episode explores the critical role of HBCUs in the defense industrial base, outlining their specialized research strengths and collaborative model that enables scale. It also addresses common friction points between academia and industry, from timing mismatches to lack of familiarity with Department of War processes, and how initiatives like the Coalition for Defense Researchers are closing those gaps.
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Building AI Research Pathways: Clark Atlanta University

Dr. Williams shares how Clark Atlanta is building strategic research areas, investing in infrastructure and faculty expertise, and positioning students to participate in high-impact research across fields such as AI, cyber-physical systems, and microelectronics. The discussion also explores how universities can align their research strengths with federal priorities and opportunities to work with government partners.

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From Campus to Consortium: How HBCUs Are Powering National Research
From campus labs to command centers, you’ll hear how ideas evolve into mission-ready capabilities and how collaboration across the Department fuels a stronger, more inclusive innovation ecosystem. This is Access Granted: your front-row seat to the people, partnerships, and progress powering the DoW’s science and technology enterprise.
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Engineering Pathways – Dr. Jamel Ali on Expanding HBCU Leadership in Emerging Research Fields
How collaboration, mentorship, and visibility are shaping the future of HBCU innovation in defense science and technology. In this episode, Dr. Jamel Ali of FAMU–FSU College of Engineering shares insights on advancing HBCU leadership in biomedical engineering, nanorobotics, and national security research.
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Texas Southern University
In this episode of Access Granted, we spotlight Texas Southern University, a cornerstone of research growth in Houston and across Texas. Dr. Michelle John, Dr. Daniel Vrinceanu, and Dr. Mark Weatherspoon share how TSU is: Building the infrastructure needed to compete for Department of War research awards; Addressing gaps across HBCUs in defense research capacity; Leveraging Houston’s position as an energy, aerospace, and defense hub; And forging partnerships that deliver real impact.
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Investing in Capacity with Dr. Victor McCrary
In this episode of Access Granted, we sit down with Dr. Victor R. McCrary, former Vice President for Research at the University of the District of Columbia, to discuss how federal research investments are shaping the future of science and technology at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). From expanding research capacity to strengthening STEM pipelines, Dr. McCrary shares how UDC is advancing opportunities for students, building partnerships with federal agencies and industry, and contributing to the national security innovation ecosystem. Listeners will gain insight into the workforce outcomes of these investments, the unique strengths HBCUs and MSIs bring to the table, and where the greatest opportunities lie for the future of research and capacity building.
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Featured Episode

Meet DoW SciTechCONNECT

Get a preview of what’s ahead. In this kickoff episode, we share what you can expect from the podcast, giving you a front-row seat to the people and ideas transforming defense innovation.

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