• Manpower Analysis Branch (MPA): MPA is a branch within Manpower Plans and Policy Division that is capable of providing analytic support to all of M&RA on a wide variety of areas. MPA is staffed with Operations Research Analysts, Human Research Protection Personnel, and a Social Scientist with expertise in research methodology and psychometrics (testing). MPA additionally conducts In-Service Classification Test Control and Survey Control.
• Behavioral Health (BH): BH is branch within Marine and Family Programs Division that is focused on helping individual Marines optimize their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual spheres and revitalize depleted areas through prevention, treatment, and training. BH is staffed with two PHD Social Scientists and additional researchers skilled in quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Marine Corps Studies System (MCSS): MCSS is a continuous program of studies and analysis to assist the Marine Corps in making combat development, programmatic, and warfighting decisions that is executed by the Operations Analysis Directorate (OAD) within Combat Development and Integration (CD&I). Three times a year OAD releases a call for studies MARADMIN requesting topic submission to be considered on the upcoming studies review board. At the SRB topics are evaluated and potentially picked up for research either internally to OAD or by and external agency.
• Naval Research Program (NRP): The Naval Research Program (NRP) is a cooperative research relationship established between the Naval Postgraduate School and the Department of the Navy. The Naval Research Working Group (NRWG) is held annually as the primary venue for representatives from the Marine Corps and Navy to present research topics to NPS faculty and students. At the completion of the NRWG, researchers at NPS submit Initial Research Estimate Forms (IREFs) which outline potential studies that could be conducted. The Topic Review Board (TRB) is the joint executive board that is tasked with reviewing all IREFs and determining their status as funded or non-funded.
• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC): Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) are public-private partnerships which conduct research for the United States Government. Over 40 FFRDCs exist with sponsors to including many of the major US Government Agencies (Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and Department of Transportation, etc.)
• Center for Naval Analysis (CNA): CNA is a Department of Defense sponsored federally FFRDC that is specifically sponsored by the Department of the Navy CNA is staffed with a wide variety of research specialists capable of qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Additional Sources of Research:
• Extramural Research: Typically, this includes research conducted by individuals in pursuit of an advanced degree through a civilian university. The researcher may or may not be associated with a government agency, but their research is not being officially sponsored by the Marine Corps or the DoD. A General officer letter of support is required before any extramural research receives Marine Corps manpower data. Follow research support flow chart below.
• Marine Corps University (MCU): Research topics may be submitted to the MCU Director of Research, studies for analysis to be conducted in the upcoming year by new Command and Staff Students.
• United States Naval Academy (USNA): Research topics may be submitted to the Dean of the Operations Research Department studies for analysis to be conducted in the upcoming year by seniors at the United States Naval Academy.