The activities of the center are organized around research programs defined as broad technological initiatives designed to achieve measurable technological and economic objectives within the scope of duration of each program. Programs are a combination of multiple projects, all of these projects having a somehow a common general direction, utilizing similar set of tools and requiring complementary skill sets.

Research programs are designed to develop core competences, contribute innovative technologies and produce intellectual property as part of an active process of contributing innovative solutions to problems of global or regional significance. The applied nature of our institute demands we define program areas in line with foreseeable 5 to 10 yr timeframe emerging technology business opportunities. These opportunities arise from the confluence of technological innovations and economically important unsolved problems. These business opportunities are such that new innovative solutions result high rate of new businesses formation 5 to 10 years hence. Our programs are such that we perform the R&D, transfer the technology and promote spin-offs formation, all within the timeframe of the program that is 5 to 7 years. We allow in this way 3 to 5 years for full entrepreneurial ventures formation, expansion and even perhaps investments exists.

Programs are led by a Program Manager, most commonly a Senior Researcher with a doctorate or equivalent experience in guiding research and fundraising activities. The Program Manager is responsible for developing the program by coordinating proposal writing activities, approaching potential strategic partners and coordinating joint research activities with other organizations. Program Managers are responsible for attracting much of their funding through involvement in fundraising activities, grant proposal preparation and outside projects wins.

Technical Staff, including engineers, technicians and students, are assigned to multiple projects across several programs where their skills might be useful. Occasionally they may be assigned to B&P. Technical Staff utilization is managed on bi-weekly basis by means of time sheets with pre-allocated project target times. Technical Staff is discouraged from charging time to non-direct project activities, particularly to G&A and to B&P. Technical Staff may charge time to IR&D on pre-authorized basis and not-to exceed the preset target time limits.

The following ones are our starting programs: