ABOUT RI MADE
What Is a “Defense Manufacturing Community”?
The Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program is designed to support long-term community investments that strengthen national security innovation and expand the capabilities of the defense manufacturing industrial ecosystem. It is a program of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC).
Through Defense Manufacturing Communities, the OLDCC ensures that defense manufacturing and supply chains are agile and responsive while at the same time supporting sustainable economic development.
In 2022, a Consortium led by the URI Research Foundation (Polaris MEP’s parent organization) was only one of six applicants nationwide to receive the “Defense Manfuacturing Community” designation. We subsequently applied for and received a grant of $5,000,000 to strengthen RI’s maritime defense industrial base.
This launched the Rhode Island Manufacturing to Accelerate the Defense Ecosystem program, known as RI MADE.
What are the Vision & Goals of RI MADE?
The vision of RI MADE is to bolster support of our strong national defense manufacturing and a resilient supply chain community. We will do this by providing technology resources (automation, robotics and cyber technologies) to accelerate secure production of highly technical products.
The Rhode Island Manufacturing to Accelerate the Defense Ecosystem (“RI MADE”) Consortium organizes its work around three goals:
Provide automation and robotics education, training, and capital investment programs to traditional DoD supply chain employers (and those wishing to break into the defense suplply chain).
Provide automation and robotics education, training, and capital investment programs to traditional DoD supply chain employers (and those wishing to break into the defense suplply chain).Enable cyber resiliency at small DoD supply chain employers by leveraging university students and faculty to assess and implement required cyber security programs compliant with DoD regulations.
Enable cyber resiliency at small DoD supply chain employers by leveraging university students and faculty to assess and implement required cyber security programs compliant with DoD regulations.Strengthen risk mitigation across the DoD supply chain by expanding and optimizing the capabilities, capacities and resources available in the Rhode Island manufacturing ecosystem.
Strengthen risk mitigation across the DoD supply chain by expanding and optimizing the capabilities, capacities and resources available in the Rhode Island manufacturing ecosystem.NEWS AND EVENTS
RI MADE & APEX ACCELERATORS PRESENTING CYBERSECURITY “JUMP START” WORKSHOP JANUARY 24, 2024
EVENT
Rhode Island manufacturers should BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) to this hands-on workshop designed to jump start your cyber security efforts. Co-hosted by RI MADE and APEX Accelerator, this workshop features training from the experts at MxD, the nation’s cybersecurity manufacturing institute.
Attendees will be guided through the NIST 800-171 cybersecurity standards/framework currently in place and in demand by buyers and partners in the defense supply chain. Speakers will address the unique challenges that the manufacturing sector faces when adhering to these standards.
Attendees also will hear about two local resources for supporting and subsidizing cybersecurity investments – RI MADE and APEX Accelerator (formerly PTAC).
RI MADE KICK-OFF SCHEDULED FOR JULY 31, 2023
EVENT
Polaris MEP is looking forward to welcoming supporters from across Rhode Island for the kick-off of RI MADE! This new Defense Supply Chain program will benefit all aspects of our state’s manufacturing ecosystem.
Event host Nautilus Defense participated in the pilot phase of RI MADE and will share thoughts on that experience. Attendees also will hear from students and from members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.
CONSORTIUM LED BY URI RESEARCH FOUNDATION DESIGNATED“DEFENSE MANUFACTURING COMMUNITY”
Aug 29, 2022
A consortium led by the URI Research Foundation has been designated a “Defense Manufacturing Community” and has been directed by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) to pursue a grant of $5,000,000 to strengthen Rhode Island’s maritime defense industrial base.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT RI MADE, THE DESIGNATED “DEFENSE MANUFACTURING COMMUNITY”
Aug 29, 2022
On August 16, 2022, a consortium led by the URI Research Foundation received a “Defense Manufacturing Community” designation and has been directed by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) to pursue a grant of $5,000,000 to strengthen Rhode Island’s maritime defense industrial base. Light blue button that links to a list of RI MADE consortium partnersWith the award, the URI Research Foundation (URIRF) will establish a new consortium, Rhode Island Manufacturing to Accelerate the Defense Ecosystem – “RI MADE.”