The National Association of Veterans’ Research and Education Foundations (NAVREF) submitted formal comments in response to the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Request for Information (RFI) on the proposed Tech Labs Initiative.

In its submission, NAVREF highlighted the unique role of VA-affiliated nonprofit research and education corporations (NPCs) as a nationwide network of independent research organizations embedded within the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system. The comments emphasized how this existing infrastructure supports outcomes-driven research, real-world validation, and technology translation aligned with Veteran health and care delivery.

NAVREF’s response underscored that Veterans experience a disproportionate burden of chronic and complex conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, mental health conditions, traumatic brain injury, and chronic pain. Addressing these challenges requires research organizations that operate at the intersection of clinical care, innovation, and deployment — a role NPCs were established by Congress to fulfill.

The submission also noted that leveraging established independent research organizations could enable Tech Labs teams to launch rapidly, reduce start-up friction, and accelerate progress toward NSF’s strategic objectives, while delivering meaningful impact for Veterans and broader communities.

NAVREF appreciates NSF’s engagement with stakeholders as it shapes the Tech Labs Initiative and welcomes continued dialogue on how VA’s research enterprise can inform the program’s design and implementation.