RAND Federally Funded Research and Development Centers

Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) are entities that assist the U.S. government.

RAND, a nonprofit institution, operates one FFRDC sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and three sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. All RAND FFRDCs focus exclusively on producing studies and analysis that help their clients in a variety of ways. For example, RAND insights can help streamline the acquisition process for greater efficiency, identify ways to maintain operational readiness, highlight how to save the government money, assess future risks, and shape cost-effective security solutions.

Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center

SPONSOR: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

DHS faces complex challenges in preventing terrorism, managing U.S. borders, enforcing and administering immigration laws, safeguarding cyberspace, and strengthening national preparedness and resilience. To help address these challenges, RAND operates the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC). HSOAC analyses focus on

  • acquisition
  • preparedness, response, and recovery
  • innovation and technology acceleration
  • homeland security threat and opportunity studies
  • personnel policy and management
  • operational studies
  • organizational studies
  • regulatory, doctrine, and policy studies
  • research and development (R&D).
Learn more about RAND's work on homeland security issues

RAND Arroyo Center

SPONSOR: Army Staff/Director, Program Analysis and Evaluation

Founded in 1982, the RAND Arroyo Center is the U.S. Army's sole FFRDC for studies and analysis. At RAND, the center is housed within RAND's Army Research Division. Research areas include

  • threat assessment
  • strategy and doctrine
  • force design and operations
  • training and readiness
  • support infrastructure (at the national and operational levels)
  • recruiting, retention, and personnel management
  • management of technology and weapons development.
Learn more about RAND's Army research

RAND National Defense Research Institute

SPONSOR: Office of the Secretary of Defense

The RAND National Defense Research Institute (NDRI) conducts research and analysis for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Unified Combatant Commands, the defense agencies, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. Navy. Research areas include

  • international security and economic policy
  • threat and risk assessment
  • defense strategy and force employment options
  • applied science and technology
  • intelligence sources and methods
  • strategic decision processes
  • information processing systems
  • systems acquisition
  • readiness and support systems
  • active-duty and reserve manpower, personnel, and training.
Learn more about RAND's work on national defense policy and strategy

RAND Project AIR FORCE

SPONSOR: Under Secretary of the Air Force

Since its founding in 1946, RAND Project AIR FORCE (PAF) has remained the only Air Force FFRDC focused on studies and analyses, rather than systems engineering or scientific laboratories. PAF analyzes cross-cutting policy and management issues, including

  • preferred means of developing and employing aerospace power
  • national security threats and strategies
  • Air Force missions, capabilities, and organizations
  • strategic and tactical force operations
  • technology, support, and resource management.
Learn more about RAND's work with the Air Force

FFRDCs are administered in accordance with U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 48, Part 35, Section 35.017. More information about FFRDCs can be found at: gpo.gov.