Military Innovation

Technology, Talent & Design Education for National Security (T²DEfNS) Initiative

Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering brings together world-class research, innovation and unique engineering education pathways to solve the nation’s most challenging security problems. T²DEfNS is a mission-driven platform that embeds Duke’s research, talent and innovation capabilities directly within the Department of Defense (DoD) ecosystem. We are investing in Duke students, active-duty military service members and DoD civilian workforce members by providing them with expertise in military innovation based on our educational programs.

Steve McClelland walks through Duke campus with partners from the 82nd Airborne Division

Mission-Driven Partnerships

Our T²DEfNS initiative addresses the critical gap between academic research and DoD operational deployment needs by creating sustained, field-forward partnerships that deliver mission-critical technology innovations as well as future national security workforce. We engage the DoD through relationships with regional and national partners, building partnerships based on established Duke assets.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

A group of Pratt faculty members and students visited Norfolk Naval Shipyard in February 2025 to identify science and engineering topics to support Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program.

Chris Monroe of the Duke Quantum Center gives a presentation to military personnel

T2DEfNS Workshop

Duke’s T²DEFNS Workshop brings together Defense stakeholders, military service members and academic leaders to explore collaborative pathways in engineering research, innovative design education and talent development for national security.

Duke and military personnel outside Fort Bragg headquarters

Fort Bragg EPA

The Duke-Fort Bragg Educational Partnership Agreement strengthens national security readiness while advancing NC’s position as a defense innovation hub, enabling Duke to directly support the professional development of military personnel and serving civilians while translating cutting-edge research and engineering design into mission-critical capabilities for the warfighter.

Innovative Educational Offerings

Duke Engineering offers flexible, defense-focused graduate education tailored to Navy and other military professionals. Our Design Defense Studio and Innovation for Defense Graduate Certificate help service members turn real-world mission challenges into scalable innovations. Through the U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program, qualifying officers can apply their training and service toward degree requirements toward the Duke Master of Engineering Management degree. These innovative pathways let military learners earn Duke credentials while continuing to serve.

Navy Nuclear Partnership

Thien Vo works on a defense innovation project in a makerspace

Innovation for Defense Certificate

Design Defense Studio

Learn more about Duke University’s “Hacking for Defense” class that challenges teams of interdisciplinary students at various stages in their education to engineer solutions - and potentially create a startup company - to address some of the toughest challenges facing the United States Army and Navy.

Hacking for Defense Course

Duke Engineering Master’s Programs: Technology Leadership for National Security

AI for Product Innovation
AI + Materials
Cybersecurity
Design & Technology Innovation
Engineering Management
Quantum Engineering (via Electrical & Computer Engineering)
Medical Technology Design
Risk Engineering
Robotics & Autonomy

Explore all degrees and certificates

Design and Innovation is a theme that cuts across our Masters of Engineering programs at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering. As a Masters student, you’ll have a transformative design and innovation experience in your chosen degree program. However, you’ll also take part in a rich and diverse ecosystem of design and innovation activities both within and beyond your specific degree program that will enrich your experience and education. We highlighted just a few of these opportunities and the faculty and student leadership that brings them to life.Learn more about Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering Masters Programs – both those shown in the video and many more that have design and innovation at their core: https://pratt.duke.edu/admissions/masters/2024 Application deadlines are January 15 (priority and preferred) and March 15 (final).https://pratt.duke.edu/apply/Programs Highlighted:Design Climate @ Duke: https://designclimate.duke.edu/ Design Health @ Duke: https://designhealth.duke.edu/ Christensen Family Center for Innovation: https://cfci.pratt.duke.edu/ Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship: https://entrepreneurship.duke.edu/ Masters of Engineering in Design & Technology Innovation: https://ene.duke.edu/programs/dtiMasters of Engineering in Game Design, Development & Innovation: https://ene.duke.edu/programs/gddi Masters of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence: https://ai.meng.duke.edu/ Masters of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering: https://bme.duke.edu/masters/meng-bme Masters of Engineering in Medical Technology Device Design: https://bme.duke.edu/masters/meng-medtech-designMasters of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science: https://mems.duke.edu/masters/degrees/meng Masters of Engineering in Civil & Environmental Engineering: https://cee.duke.edu/grad/masters#civil-meng Masters of Engineering in Electrical & Computer Engineering: https://ece.duke.edu/masters/degrees Innovation Co-Lab: https://colab.duke.edu/ Generative AI Hackathon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxMYjXQr8TkPratt School of Engineering Graduate Students Programs & Services:https://sites.duke.edu/prattgsps/

Technology Solutions for National Security

The T²DEFNS approach allows the strength of high impact research, combined with rapid and agile design methods, to enable talent inside and outside the university to deploy advanced solutions.