The Engineer and Scientist Exchange Program (ESEP) is a DoD effort to promote international cooperation in military research, development, and acquisition through the exchange of defense scientists and engineers. It provides on-site working assignments for US military and civilian engineers and scientists in allied and friendly governments’ organizations and the reciprocal assignment of foreign engineers and scientists in US defense establishments. A prerequisite for establishing the program is a formal international agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each participant nation. Currently, DoD has signed agreements with Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Chile, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Primary goals of ESEP are:

• Broaden perspectives in research and development techniques and methods
• Form a cadre of internationally experienced professionals to enhance USAF research and development programs
• Gain insight into foreign research and development expertise, methods, organizational structures, procedures, production, logistics, testing, and management systems
• Cultivate future international cooperative endeavors
• Avoid duplication of research efforts