Where North Carolina’s national security and technology leaders connect.
AFCEA North Carolina is a trusted, ethical forum where government, industry, and academia come together to solve complex mission challenges — and to invest in the students, educators, and service members who will carry that mission forward.
Who we are
A neutral table for the people who defend and build.
Our chapter serves the professionals supporting missions at Fort Bragg and across the state — from the Special Operations and Airborne communities to the research corridors of the Triangle.
AFCEA North Carolina is a non-profit chapter of AFCEA International, dedicated to providing an ethical, interactive forum for sharing knowledge and building relationships. We convene monthly luncheons, technical training, and community initiatives that let program offices, small businesses, primes, and universities speak candidly about hard problems — without a sales pitch.
Who we serve
Six communities, one conversation
Membership spans the full mission stack. If your work touches national security technology in North Carolina, there is a seat at this table.
Defense
Active duty, Guard, Reserve, and DoD civilians supporting Airborne, Special Operations, and joint commands.
Intelligence
Analysts, collectors, and program leads working the ISR and all-source mission across the community.
Cybersecurity
Defensive and offensive cyber practitioners, zero-trust architects, and the teams securing critical infrastructure.
Homeland Security
Emergency management, first responders, and state and local partners coordinating resilience across NC.
Industry
Primes, mid-tiers, and small businesses — including a dedicated small business engagement track.
Academia
Faculty, researchers, and students from NC universities, community colleges, and K–12 STEM programs.
Educational impact
Over $95,000 returned to North Carolina classrooms in 2025
Every luncheon fee, sponsorship, and donation funds the chapter’s STEM and scholarship mission. Nothing goes to salaries — the chapter is run entirely by volunteers.
Scholarships
Awards for graduating high school seniors and enrolled college students pursuing STEM and cyber degrees.
How to applySTEM Educator Grants
$1,000 classroom grants awarded directly to North Carolina teachers for hands-on STEM instruction.
Grant detailsROTC Support
Direct support to Army, Air Force, and Navy ROTC detachments at universities across the state.
Program overviewMentorship
Structured mentorship pairing transitioning service members with established chapter professionals.
Get matchedFlagship event
The NC Innovation Summit
Our largest annual gathering — a full program of keynotes, panels, an exhibit floor, and a co-located career fair.
The Summit brings senior government leaders together with industry and academic partners to work the state’s hardest capability problems in one room. The career fair connects transitioning service members and cleared professionals directly with hiring member organizations.
What’s new
Chapter news
Announcements, recaps, and member spotlights from across North Carolina.
TechNet Fort Liberty draws record turnout
The chapter’s co-hosted symposium brought program offices and industry together for two days of working sessions and an expanded exhibit floor.
Read article
31 educators receive $1,000 STEM grants
Teachers across the region were selected for classroom grants funding robotics kits, sensor labs, and cyber competition travel.
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Members turn out for a night with the Woodpeckers
Families joined chapter leadership at Segra Stadium for an evening of low-key networking and a look ahead at the fall program.
Read articleMembership
Join the chapter.
Membership is open to anyone working in or supporting the national security and technology community — government, military, industry, and academia alike. Rates are published up front, so you will know what it costs before you fill anything in.
Students
Enrolled at any accredited institution
Military
Active duty, Guard, Reserve, and DoD civilians
Industry
Small business through prime integrator
Academia
Faculty, researchers, and staff
Our sponsors