Lincoln Laboratory
MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, in Lexington, Massachusetts, is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that develops advanced technology to address national security needs. Its core competencies are in sensors, information extraction (signal processing), communications, and decision support—all supported by a broad research base in computing and advanced electronics. Other areas of innovative research and development are cybersecurity, biotechnology, novel engineered materials, autonomous systems, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief systems. Field-testing prototype systems is strongly emphasized.
As a Department of Defense FFRDC, the laboratory transitions technologies to both the military services and industry. Approximately 4,500 MIT employees and 475 subcontracted personnel worked at Lincoln Laboratory in fiscal year 2025.
Ninety percent of Lincoln Laboratory’s funding comes from the US Department of Defense.
Lincoln Laboratory Program Funding, by Mission Area, Fiscal Year 2025*
| Mission area | % of total funding |
|---|---|
| Air, Missile, and Maritime Defense Technology | 20% |
| Space Systems and Technology | 18% |
| Communication Systems | 18% |
| Advanced Technology | 10% |
| Tactical Systems | 7% |
| Biotechnology and Human Systems | 7% |
| Cybersecurity and Information Sciences | 6% |
| Homeland Protection | 5% |
| Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Systems and Technology | 4% |
| Advanced Research Portfolio | 3% |
| Air Traffic Control | 2% |
| Total | 100% |
*Lincoln Laboratory’s fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.