Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 3201.04
October 18, 2013
Incorporating Change 1, October 11, 2017
USD(AT&L)
SUBJECT: In-House Laboratory Independent Research (ILIR) Program
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This instruction reissues DoD Instruction (DoDI) 3201.4 (Reference (a)) to
establish policy, assign responsibilities, and prescribe procedures pursuant to DoD Directive
(DoDD) 5134.3, DoDI 3201.01, and DoDI 3210.1 (References (b), (c), and (d)) for
implementation of the ILIR program at the DoD research and development (R&D) laboratories
and centers in accordance with the authority in DoDD 5134.01 (Reference (e)).
2. APPLICABILITY. This instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Defense
Agencies, and all other organizational entities within the DoD that operate R&D laboratories or
centers (referred to collectively in this instruction as “the DoD Components”).
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. Each DoD Component that operates an R&D laboratory or center will support an ILIR
program.
b. Participating DoD Component R&D laboratories or centers will use ILIR funds to initiate
and support efforts judged to be important or promising in the accomplishment of missions
assigned to that laboratory or center.
c. Each R&D laboratory or center will have wide latitude in the use of ILIR funds, subject to
the approval of overall funding levels, to enable performance of innovative, timely, and
promising work without requiring formal and prior approval that might delay normal funding
authorization.
d. ILIR funds will be used to support basic research efforts. The programs will have as their
primary goals the performance of highest quality research in support of laboratory missions and
the enhancement of factors that contribute to recruitment and retention of outstanding scientists
