War Department Consolidates Advisory Boards to Form New Science, Technology, and Innovation Board (STIB)
January 29, 2026 – In a significant move to modernize and accelerate the Department of War’s advisory processes, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has approved the merger of two long-standing advisory bodies—the Defense Innovation Board (DIB) and the Defense Science Board (DSB)—into a single, streamlined entity named the Science and Technology Innovation Board (STIB). This organizational overhaul, pending formal recognition in the Federal Register, is designed to eliminate overlapping functions and enhance the Department’s responsiveness to national security challenges.
Streamlining Innovation for Rapid Results
The new STIB aims to replace the traditionally cumbersome "alphabet-soup" of multiple advisory groups, often criticized for producing delayed or conflicting recommendations. By unifying the expertise and strategic outlook of the DSB’s rigorous scientific community with the DIB’s agile, private-sector innovation mindset, the STIB is positioned as a powerful, focused body to deliver timely, impactful guidance.
“Our warfighters can’t afford to wait,” said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. “The creation of the STIB ensures that ideas on the bleeding edge move quickly from concept to field, directly making a difference to the joint force. We are unifying our best scientific minds and our most innovative private-sector leaders into a single board built to provide clear answers—not more bureaucracy.”
Driving Outcomes Through Specialized Subcommittees
To maintain a sharp focus on delivering actionable advice, STIB will operate with two permanent subcommittees:
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Subcommittee on Strategic Options: This group will identify and evaluate concepts, capabilities, strategies, and courses of action throughout the science and technology enterprise. Its mission includes balancing cost and benefits, strengthening deterrence, and ensuring U.S. operational dominance.
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Subcommittee on National Security Innovation: Charged with analyzing innovation pathways and emerging disruptive technologies, this subcommittee will also examine best commercial practices in strategy, management, organizational design, human capital, decision-making, and scaling. It aims to effectively leverage America’s broader innovation ecosystem for enhanced national security.
Transformational Impact on Department Priorities
The consolidation into STIB marks a decisive shift toward reducing bureaucratic delays, eliminating redundant operations, and halting unproductive competition between advisory groups. By creating a unified voice, the Department expects to accelerate the transition of innovative ideas into tangible capabilities for the warfighter.
Additionally, STIB is expected to attract top talent from science, technology, and commercial innovation sectors, offering them a prestigious platform to influence both disruptive technological advances and core scientific priorities within the War Department.
Renewed Focus on Mission-Centric Advisory
The Department of War is progressing with renewed order and purpose, transforming advisory functions to directly support mission objectives. STIB stands as the central forum wherein leading American scientists and industry experts are empowered to provide grounded, mission-focused counsel aimed at solving some of the most pressing challenges facing the U.S. military today.
For further details and to view the new board appointments, visit www.stib.cto.mil.
About the Department of War
The Department of War provides the military forces necessary to deter conflict and ensure the security of the United States. The Department continuously evolves its strategies and structures to maintain America’s defense capabilities at the highest levels.
Contact:
War Department Press Office
www.war.gov/contact
Official Website of the United States Government – www.usa.gov
This release is hosted by Defense Media Activity – WEB.mil
