Innovating for National Security (i4NS)
Innovating for National Security (i4NS) is a quarter-long program that offers U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) leaders an opportunity to collaborate with talented student teams to develop innovative solutions to their most pressing national security problems. Through student teams, the DOD is provided an avenue to connect with problem-solvers from academia, the private sector, and other non-traditional DOD partners.
The course provides student teams with a deep understanding of selected national security related problems and potential solutions which might be arrayed against them. Using the Lean LaunchPad Methodology the course encourages student teams to:
- Solve complex real-world problems
- Rapidly iterate solutions while searching for product-market fit
- Understand all stakeholders, roll-out issues, costs, resources, and ultimate market / mission value
- Deliver minimum viable products matching customer needs in a narrow window
- Produce a repeatable model which can launch other potential solutions
Want to join the i4NS program?
For questions, please contact i4ns@ucsd.edu.
From Immersive Learning to Validated Insights
Through this course, you will work in a real life startup environment with team members from diverse backgrounds and expertise, network across different industries, and improve your public speaking and project management. At the end of the course, you will have requisite experience commercial and national security-related companies and organizations seek in their future employees.
The course is team-based with related work and study completed in teams. In addition to the instructors, each team will be assigned a mentor (an experienced entrepreneur or subject matter expert) and a contact from the problem sponsor at DOD.
At the end of ten weeks, you and your team will provide a solution to an existing problem provided by the DOD while learning to develop prototypes that match DOD users’ needs.
The Innovating for National Security (i4NS) is not a product incubator for a specific technology solution. Instead, you will learn Lean Startup principles to gain a deeper understanding of selected problems, develop sustainable, user-centered solutions, and learn to work with the DoD and IC teams.
Learn Lean Startup techniques for startup success and solve real problems.
Solve real life, pressing issues faced by US government agencies alongside field experts while learning and applying best practices of innovation and entrepreneurship
Tackle complex problems critical to the government around national security, health, energy infrastructure, cybersecurity, and AI/ML; develop new solutions with a team of industry and national security experts!
i4NS Program Details
Next Course: Fall 2025Mondays, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. PST
- Location: Design & Innovation Building, Room 208
- AIP 97/197: 4 units
- 10 weekly class meetings (in-person)
- Applications accepted on a rolling basis beginning January 2025
Application and Selection Process:
- Check your eligibility at Academic Internship Program.
- If eligible, complete the i4NS Interest Form.
- Viable candidates will be notified for group interviews.
- Once final selections are made following the group interview, selected candidates will be given next steps.
Join the cadre of innovation-ready workforce for national security jobs by learning how to address current technical challenges, gain innovation education and experience working with the Department of Defense!
Eligibility
The i4NS internship is open to all UC San Diego sophomore/junior/senior undergraduate students in good academic standing. We welcome students from all disciplines to come together to show off the true power in the diversity of UC San Diego!
Participants are required to attend all in-class sessions.
Please note: Students may only enroll in one Academic Internship Program (AIP) course per quarter. If you are already enrolled in an AIP course, you are not eligible to participate in i4NS for the upcoming quarter.
Curriculum
Here is a past example of our curriculum.
Example from Fall 2024
| Module | Date | Lecture Topic |
| 1 | 30 Sept | Introduction to i4NS & Understanding National Security Organization |
| 2 | 7 Oct | Mission Model Canvas & Three-Legged Stool Approach |
| 3 | 14 Oct | Beneficiaries & Stakeholders |
| 4 | 21 Oct | Value Proposition & Product-Mission Fit |
| 5 | 28 Oct | Minimal Viable Product & Buy-in Support |
| 6 | 4 Nov | Mission Achievement & Defense Acquisition and Contract |
| 7 | 11 Nov | Activities, Resources and Partners |
| 8 | 18 Nov | Deployment |
| 9 | 25 Nov | Final Reflection & Problem Sponsor Outbriefs |
| 10 | 2 Dec | Showcase |
| 11 | 9 Dec | Post-Course Pathways |
Earn Academic Internship Credit
Enroll with the Academic Internship Program.
Internship Dates: September - December 2025
Application Deadlines |
Dates |
|
Submit Learning Agreement to AIP via InternLink |
September 2025 |
|
EASy Request |
September 2025 |
|
Enroll via WebReg |
September 2025 |
Dates are subject to change. Stay updated by visiting:
- AIP Enrollment Drop-in Hours
- Learning Agreement Submission
- Enrollment & Registration Calendar 2025-2026
Send questions about AIP enrollment to the Academic Internship Program via the Virtual Advising Center.
Time Commitment
This course moves fast! Participants should expect a rigorous and engaging experience that extends beyond the classroom. Weekly responsibilities include:
-
Assigned readings and videos
-
Interview outreach and homework
-
In-class lectures and discussions
-
Team meetings outside of class
-
Regular communication with sponsors and mentors
Teams are expected to arrive on the first day having completed all pre-course materials and ready to begin working on their assigned problem.
Recommended Prep: Customer Discovery Workshop
This workshop is not a prerequisite for the course, but attendance is highly recommended to better prepare for the i4NS course.
Why build something that no one wants? Don’t waste time and effort on the wrong idea. Increase your chance at success with our Customer Discovery Workshop! Customer Development is a process for questioning your core assumptions about an idea, business, etc. Your product or business idea fundamentally starts with an implicit or explicit assumption about three things- the customer, the problem, and the solution. At this workshop, you will learn interview skills, identify users and test out your assumptions and apply what you’ve learned.
To learn how, register for one of our Customer Discovery Workshops:
- To be announced.
Recommended Prep: Department of Defense 101: Organization & Culture
This workshop is not a prerequisite for the course, but attendance is highly recommended to better prepare for the i4NS course.
Explore the essential aspects of the Department of Defense (DoD) in our comprehensive lecture on DoD Organization & Culture. This session covers the U.S. Armed Forces & Services, Combatant Commands, Rank Structure, DoD Culture, Barriers to Innovation, and Acquisition processes. Gain insights into the hierarchical structure, traditions, values, and challenges within the DoD, crucial for anyone aiming to succeed in this environment.
To learn more, register for our DoD 101: Organization & Culture lecture:
Explore the essential aspects of the Department of Defense (DoD) in our comprehensive lecture on DoD Organization & Culture. This session covers the U.S. Armed Forces & Services, Combatant Commands, Rank Structure, DoD Culture, Barriers to Innovation, and Acquisition processes. Gain insights into the hierarchical structure, traditions, values, and challenges within the DoD, crucial for anyone aiming to succeed in this environment.
To learn more, register for our DoD 101: Organization & Culture lecture:
- To be announced.
