forward
Polaris
Charting Our Path
RTI is at a pivotal crossroads, navigating disruption in federal funding alongside rapid advances in AI and digital technologies. Project Polaris is designed to help us simplify processes, leverage AI thoughtfully, and become more agile as we unlock new ways of working with new clients.
Fundamentals of the transformation
Science remains at the core of our value proposition – and requires us to compete on high quality more than low price
Federal projects will remain the largest part of RTI’s portfolio, but less dominant than today (84%) – and agency composition will look different
Commercial work will represent a larger portion of our portfolio than it does today (9%) – and should grow faster than federal in the near-term
Digital forward mindset will transform the way we deliver value – and evolve our use of technology to reduce overhead costs while increasing our speed
Simplifying Our Structure
RTI will reorganize from five business units into one. This represents the combination of Discovery Sciences (DS), International Development Group (IDG), Social, Statistical & Environmental Sciences (SSES), Technology Advancement & Commercialization (TAC), and Innovation Advisors (IA). This unified Solutions unit is focused on delivering impact while a new Growth unit elevates and consolidates our business development functions. Both are supported by an Operations unit focused on essential enablement services such as Finance, HR, and Technology. The Executive unit leads vision and governance for the institute.
Solutions
Explore the New Structure
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Defining our Destination
We're embracing this disruption as an opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient RTI—one that adapts, grows, and thrives in a changing world. Here's what that looks like:
Externally...
- Delivering science-based value while expanding into new opportunities and markets.
- Engaging clients proactively with purpose, focus, and forward-looking solutions.
- Harnessing modern technology to enhance the speed and effectiveness of our projects.
Internally...
- Streamlining overhead costs and operations to stay competitive and fuel growth.
- Building an agile, accountable organization that adapts quickly to market changes.
- Empowering staff with the tools, clarity, and support to thrive in our evolving organization.
What's Next
Our journey into this new structure officially begins October 1, 2025.
Here's how we'll get there:
Timeline
01. Design
March: Vision. We define the vision to guide where we’re headed and how shared design principles will guide us.
April – May: Blueprint. We blueprint the options, carefully weighing tradeoffs to find the best fit for our future.
May – June: Test and Refine. We test and refine the design, tapping into internal and external insights to enhance the model and outline the operational steps needed.
02. Implementation Planning
July - August: Launch Teams. Senior leadership is introduced, and launch teams begin shaping the finer details of the group configurations.
August – September: Systems. We prepare key systems (management structures and processes) to be activation-ready.
September: Staff Preparation. The full staff configuration is announced, giving time for adjustment and alignment.
03. Activation
October forward: Activation. The new model launches, supported by a clear roadmap to ensure we hit the ground running.