The Department of Defense (DoD)’s Basic Research Office (BRO) sets scientific priorities aimed toward ensuring DoD is a leader in scientific discovery and identifying new paths for investigation. The office is responsible for oversight and management of DoD’s ~$2.9 B basic research investment in high risk, high pay-off research and manages programs including the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship, MURI, Minerva, and pilot programs such as the Newton Award. In this presentation, Dr. Nair, the DoD’s Director of Basic Research will discuss the BRO approach to basic research, which includes the use-inspired questions on fundamental processes, but also true ‘blue sky’ science with no application in mind. After presenting the BRO framework for supporting basic research, Dr. Nair will discuss intriguing developments and future directions for funding at BRO.