Partnering through a university can be a great way to get sponsored. More on the National Security Data and Policy Institute (NSDPI), a university-level institute launched by the University of Virginia (UVA) + ODNI—UVA’s sixth such institution—backed by a $20 million contract: https://news.clearancejobs.com/2025/12/08/how-odni-and-uva-are-building-the-future-of-u-s-national-security/
It unites expertise from academia, government, and industry to tackle national security challenges using data science, artificial intelligence, research computing, and public policy frameworks.