The NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) was established by NASA to be an independent source of revolutionary aeronautical and space concepts that could dramatically impact how NASA develops and conducts its mission. It provides a highly visible and high-level entry point for outside thinkers and researchers. The institute is managed by the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) with support from ANSER. Since its inception, NIAC has funded over 100 studies of advanced system concepts, many of which are now influencing NASA's long term vision. In this presentation, Dr. Turner provided an overview of the institute and a sampling of the innovative thinking being pursued.