# Software Engineering Institute (SEI) — Program Element 0603781D8Z

**Program element:** 0603781D8Z  
**Component:** Defense-Wide  
**Appropriation:** 0400 — RDT&E, Defense-Wide  
**Budget Activity:** 3 — Advanced Technology Development  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603781D8Z

## Summary

Defense-Wide funding falls 20% to a $10.2M request in FY2027, sustained across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators funded it in full.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 16.4 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 12.8 |
| FY2027 | Request | 10.2 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 10.2 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 10.2 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 10.2 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 10.1 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Congressional marks (FY2027)

| Stage | Marked ($M) | Change ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Request | 10.2 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 10.2 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 10.2 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 10.2 | +0.0 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (1)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 781 | Software Engineering Institute (SEI) | 16.4 | 12.8 | 10.2 | −20% |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project 781 — Software Engineering Institute (SEI)

This project focuses on two main research thrusts with known military applications: (1) Software Engineering, Systems Verification and Validation, and Mission Assurance (formerly Mission Assurance); and (2) Information Assurance. SEI research focuses on the most significant and pervasive software challenges within the DoW, such as the scalability and reliability of software assurance, supply chain risk management, validation of and trust in autonomous systems, human-computer and human-technology teaming and interaction, computing and communication at the tactical edge, and efficiency and performance of acquisition strategies and software development appropriate for a contested cyber environment.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEI Advanced Technology Development in the Area of Software Engineering, Systems Verification and Validation, and Mission Assurance | 14.5 | 10.9 | 8.4 |
| SEI Advanced Technology Development in the Area of Information Assurance | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

This program supports the Departments initiatives to Build a Sustainable and Long-Term Advantage, and Build a Resilient Joint Force and Defense Ecosystem. Software is more pervasive than ever, and computer programs are growing in size and complexity. Designing, managing, and securing integrated, complex, and large-scale mission-critical systems are abilities that the Department of War (DoW) and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) have not yet mastered. Reliance on software-intensive mobile and net-based products and systems has increased (e.g., Joint Tactical Radio System, USS ZUMWALT (DDG-1000), Joint Strike Fighter, F-22, and Army Modernization).

## Related program elements

- [0605233A — Accessions Information Environment (AIE)](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605233A) (Army)
- [0604558N — New Design SSN](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604558N) (Navy)
- [0204202N — DDG-1000](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0204202N) (Navy)
- [0305104D8Z — Securing the DIB: CMMC](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0305104D8Z) (Defense-Wide)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Office of the Secretary of Defense RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0603781D8Z (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0603781D8Z")`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*