The Leonard Wood Institute or "LWI" is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization that was incorporated in the State of Missouri in 2004.  LWI was formed to support the development, transfer and utilization of new technologies developed or provided in Missouri that have applicability to the U.S. Army's mission at Fort Leonard Wood and to the technology needs of the Department of Defense on a world-wide basis. LWI is located at the University of Missouri Technology Park at Fort Leonard Wood, which was one of the first technology collaboratives located on an active military base. 

Depending on resources available to it, LWI provides assistance to companies, universities and non-profit research organizations involved in the Army's training mission by:

• providing project-based funding to support innovative R&D needed by the Army
• increasing the commercialization of new, military-critical technologies developed in Missouri
• ensuring a more robust base of Missouri companies to meet future military needs

The Leonard Wood Research Institute (LWRI) is a wholly owned subsidary of LWI.  Under the direction of LWI, LWRI's purpose is to provide  project based financial and technical assistance to companies, universities and research institutions that can perform research and development that fulfill training-related science and technology requirments articulated by the U.S. Army's Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) at Fort Leonard Wood.  LWRI (and LWI) work closely with MANSCEN's Capability Development and Integration Directorate (CDID).  To understand CDID's role in developing maneuver support-related and other concepts, and in conducting experiments to validate Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leader Development & Education, Personnel, and Facilities (DOTMLPF) integrated combined arms capabilities, please visit the CDID website. 

LWI is governed by a Board of Directors who represent the Fort Leonard Wood region and the state.  The directors come from a variety of backgrounds, including private business, universities, not-for-profit organizations and economic development agencies.  The directors serve without compensation and are subject to a strict conflict of interest policy, as well as by the provisions of the IRS 501 (c)(3) designation.  LWI's bylaws read, in part:

"1.4 Limitations: No part of the net earnings of LWI shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that LWI shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth above. No substantial part of the activities of LWI shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.  Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, LWI shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (1) by a Corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code  or (2) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, (or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.)"