6 DHS-Funded Research Projects That Are Changing the Game
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) works to keep the United States safe from various threats. They handle tasks like securing borders and airports, responding to emergencies, protecting against cyberattacks, and inspecting chemical facilities. With over 260,000 employees, their main goal is to ensure the safety and security of the nation.
To achieve that goal, the DHS understands that it needs innovation, and one effective way to gain that kind of development is to bet big on research projects. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has invested significantly in research and development over the years. For example, in the fiscal year 2024, the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) had a budget of approximately $1.1 billion.
The list of projects funded by the Department of Homeland Security has grown significantly over the years, covering a wide range of innovative initiatives. However, among this extensive array of projects, there are still a select few that stand out due to their unique impact, cutting-edge research, and potential for shaping the future.
Before exploring these projects, let’s first take a look at the methods the DHS uses to fund them.
Funding Methods Utilized by DHS for Research Projects
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employs several methods to fund research projects, ensuring a comprehensive approach to innovation and security. One key method is the Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (LRBAA).
This open invitation allows the scientific and technical communities to propose research and development projects that align with DHS’s mission. By casting a wide net, LRBAA encourages the submission of unique ideas and innovative solutions from various sectors, fostering a diverse range of research initiatives.
Another important method is the issuance of Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Through RFPs, DHS solicits detailed project proposals from researchers and organizations. These proposals are evaluated based on specific criteria related to the project goals and objectives. This competitive process ensures that the most promising and relevant projects receive funding, driving forward advancements in areas critical to national security.
DHS also supports research through grants and cooperative agreements, often working with academic institutions and non-profits. These methods provide financial support and foster close collaboration. Innovation programs like the Homeland Security Startup Studio (HSSS) help commercialize federally funded technologies.
Besides, DHS partners with other federal agencies, private sector partners, and international organizations to leverage expertise and resources, enhancing their ability to tackle complex security challenges.
Top 6 Leading Research Projects Funded by DHS
Choosing a few projects from the DHS is no easy task, as each one contributes significantly to the innovation the agency strives for. While the projects listed here may not be the top performers, they provide clear evidence of how DHS actions are aligned with its mission.
STAMINA III Project – Bridging Innovation and Implementation
The gap between the development of new technologies and their deployment as operational tools can have significant impacts, including delayed benefits, increased costs, and missed opportunities. When technologies take too long to be integrated, organizations may fail to realize their full potential in improving efficiency, safety, or cost savings.
This is why projects like STAMINA III are helpful.
In 2021, the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) awarded $1,319,980 to the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Threats and Emergencies (CREATE) at the University of Southern California (USC) and Virginia Tech for the STAMINA III project.
In partnership, both universities will research improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of transitioning DHS S&T research and development (R&D) solutions as well as enhancing the responsiveness of deploying R&D results to customers that include a range of technical tools, technologies and knowledge products.
Led by Professor Dr. Isaac Maya, The STAMINA III project is on a mission to transform cutting-edge technologies into practical tools that DHS components can use in the field. By bridging the gap between innovation and implementation, this project ensures that groundbreaking research doesn’t just stay in the lab but becomes a reality that enhances national security.
A key part of this initiative is a dynamic training program designed to empower R&D project managers with the skills they need to navigate the complex transition process. This program not only equips them with the know-how to bring new technologies to life but also helps DHS S&T effectively communicate these advancements to stakeholders and the public.
START – a Global Research Network Studying the Causes and Impact of Terrorism
Terrorism has seen a significant rise since the 2000s due to a combination of geopolitical instability, ideological extremism, socio-economic factors, political grievances, globalization, and the presence of failed states. The invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq created power vacuums that terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS exploited.
The spread of extremist ideologies through the internet and social media has facilitated global radicalization, while high unemployment and poverty have made individuals more susceptible to recruitment. Long-standing political conflicts, increased global connectivity, and weak governance in certain regions have further fueled the persistence and spread of terrorism in the 21st century.
This is why understanding terrorism and responding promptly to its threats is crucial for maintaining global security. Recognizing this, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has partnered with the University of Maryland since 2005 to establish START, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. START is one of the Centers of Excellence supported by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and receives funding and support from various federal agencies, private foundations, and academic institutions.
The project is a university-based research and education center comprised of an international network of scholars committed to the scientific study of the causes and human consequences of terrorism in the United States and around the world.
Since its launch in 2005, START has made significant strides in advancing the study of terrorism and homeland security. Led by Dr. Gary LaFree until 2018, and subsequently by William Braniff, START is managed by a team of terrorism experts and administrators at the University of Maryland, in collaboration with a network of scholars and students.
Through its hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, public events, and extensive consultations with government agencies, START has contributed valuable insights into terrorism-related issues. The center’s work includes regular testimony before Congress and consultations with DHS and other government agencies.
As part of its commitment to education, START introduced a Terrorism Studies Minor at the University of Maryland in 2007 and launched an online Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis in 2010. START also offers a range of educational programs, including professional development training, mentorship, and public presentations.
In recognition of its long-term support for the Global Terrorism Database (GTD), DHS honored START in 2009 for its outstanding contributions to national security. The GTD includes data on over 113,000 terrorist events worldwide since 1970.
In March 2024, START’s Irregular Warfare and Conflict Assessment Group (IWCAG) launched the GRAT portal. This unique data and knowledge tool synthesizes 20 years of counterinsurgency (COIN) research, providing valuable insights and resources for understanding and responding to asymmetric threats.
SENTRY – “Protecting Our Nation’s Most Vulnerable Spaces”
Next, SENTRY, a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence established at Northeastern University in 2021, focuses on addressing the challenges of protecting soft targets and crowded places.
This multi-institutional center combines the expertise of three prominent Centers of Excellence: ALERT, led by Northeastern, known for its work in threat anomaly detection using advanced sensor technologies; CCICADA, led by Rutgers, which has pioneered data-informed command, control, and interoperability systems; and CREATE, led by the University of Southern California, which specializes in assessing risks related to unexpected attacks on soft target venues. The project is led by Professor Dr. Stephen Flynn.
Three years into its inception, the Soft Target Engineering to Neutralize the Threat Reality (SENTRY) project has achieved significant milestones in enhancing security for soft targets and crowded places. One of the standout achievements is the development of the Virtual Sentry Framework (VSF), a real-time decision support system that provides actionable situational awareness.
This framework enhances threat assessment, preparedness, mitigation, and response, integrating advanced sensing technologies and artificial intelligence to offer comprehensive solutions for detecting and responding to potential threats in real-time.
SENTRY has made significant strides in advancing sensing technologies, developing innovations like the Digital Dog Nose and mid-infrared laser-based sensors. These cutting-edge tools are designed to detect concealed threats more effectively, enhancing security in environments where traditional detection methods may be inadequate.
SENTRY has implemented AI-driven systems for real-time threat detection and visualization, leveraging low-complexity AI to integrate crowd-sourced data streams for efficient threat identification and mitigation in crowded places.
Established at Northeastern University in 2021, the Soft Target Engineering to Neutralize the Threat Reality (SENTRY) Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence addresses the many challenges of protecting soft targets and crowded places in our homeland.
SENTRY has also focused on integrating security into public spaces through architectural design research, creating dynamic digital twins and studying emergency behavior during active shooter incidents to enhance venue safety. Additionally, venue-specific case studies have been conducted to assess the unique security needs of locations like schools, transportation hubs, and sports arenas, providing tailored, contextually relevant security solutions.
CREDC – Strengthening Cyber Resilience in Energy Delivery Systems
Cyber technology is increasingly integrated into energy delivery systems (EDS) like SCADA systems in the electric sector and oil and gas pipelines, enhancing safety and efficiency. However, this integration also introduces new cyber threats and challenges, such as secure communications and operations across interconnected systems.
The Cyber Resilient Energy Delivery Consortium (CREDC) addresses these issues through multidisciplinary research and development, focusing on both cyber and physical resiliency to ensure EDS can withstand and quickly recover from disruptions.
Announced in October 2015, the Cyber Resilient Energy Delivery Consortium (CREDC) is co-funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), with Dr. William H. Sanders serving as the Project Lead.
With a $28.1 million investment, CREDC focuses on advancing the security and resilience of the cyber support infrastructure critical to Energy Delivery Systems (EDS). This includes power grids and oil and gas refinery and pipeline operations, which have been subject to growing attention in the media, legislation, standards, and executive actions.
Recognizing the need for cyber resiliency to maintain critical EDS functions during disruptive events, particularly cyberattacks, CREDC is actively addressing these challenges through research and collaboration with industry partners, such as utilities, oil and gas asset owners, and equipment vendors. The CREDC model creates a research pipeline that bridges the gap between academic findings and practical applications, leading to the evaluation and deployment of prototypes in industrial settings.
These results are then transitioned to the industry through licensing, startups, and open-source mechanisms. CREDC is shaping foundational science and engineering approaches to EDS cyber security and resiliency, providing industry-vetted solutions to both immediate and long-term challenges, while also influencing education and workforce training in this critical field.
CBTS – Safeguarding Global Supply Chains Against Biological Threats
Biological threats moving through global supply chains pose a significant risk to public health, national security, and economic stability. These threats can include pathogens, contaminated products, invasive species, or bioterrorism agents that exploit the interconnected nature of modern trade and logistics.
The rapid movement of goods across borders increases the likelihood of undetected biological hazards spreading across regions, potentially causing widespread outbreaks or disruptions.
We have been enhancing detection technologies; however, as these threats become more complex, we need a professional organization to research and develop new methods for detecting these threats. One such organization is the Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense (CBTS) Center of Excellence, led by Texas A&M University under the leadership of Project Lead Professor Dr. Katlin Shoemaker.
The CBTS is a nationwide consortium that researches and develops solutions, protocols, and capabilities to support DHS operations in detecting, assessing, and responding to known and unknown biological threats and hazards that could adversely impact the nation’s people, agriculture, and economy. Successful projects are built on learning from and developing partnerships with stakeholders.
Typical projects focus on improving data collection, applications, and management; assessing innovations designed to extend our frontiers beyond physical borders; identifying novel tools and methods to improve risk assessments; and advancing workforce development and educational opportunities.
Launched in 2018, CBTS partners with more than 35 universities and public- and private-sector organizations. Their expertise aligns with DHS priorities, focusing on the prevention, detection, and response to biological threats and hazards in transportation, agriculture, public health, biodefense, and supply chain defense. They also support operational logistics and workforce development and educational programs.
Key partners include the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Health Security (OHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and DHS Science and Technology (S&T).
NBACC – a Critical Defense Against Biological Threats
Lastly, the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) is a unique facility dedicated to protecting the nation from biological threats. Its mission includes critical functions such as intelligence assessments, preparedness planning, threat response, emerging threat analysis, and bioforensic investigations.
Established as the Department of Homeland Security’s first national laboratory, NBACC was created in response to the urgent need for enhanced biodefense capabilities following the 2001 Amerithrax attacks. Since then, its team of over 150 dedicated professionals has played a crucial role in filling significant gaps in scientific knowledge about biological agents, ensuring the nation is better equipped to defend the public against bioterrorism.
Located at the National Interagency Biodefense Campus at Fort Detrick, Maryland, NBACC operates in partnership with the FBI and provides unique biocontainment laboratory capabilities to address biological threats. It comprises the National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC) and the National Biological Threat Characterization Center (NBTCC), and is operated by the Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI) as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center.
NBACC’s mission is to provide the scientific basis for characterizing biological threats and conducting bioforensic analysis to support the attribution of their planned or actual use. The center’s facilities are national security assets, supporting DHS components, law enforcement, and first responders. NBACC’s infrastructure includes over 50,000 square feet of lab space at biosafety levels 2, 3, and 4, making it one of only 13 BSL-4 labs in the U.S. and the only one focused on national security.
NBACC’s expertise spans aerobiology, genomics, and bioinformatics, and it maintains regulatory compliance with various federal agencies. Its “Work for Others” program allows federal agencies to utilize its unique capabilities. NBACC has played a key role in America’s response to public health and biodefense challenges, providing scientific and operational support to detect and respond to biological events.
The NBTCC conducts experiments to understand biological vulnerabilities and hazards, informing preparedness and response planning for DHS, Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense, and the intelligence community. NBTCC’s research on SARS-CoV-2 has been crucial in understanding the virus’s behavior and informing pandemic response strategies.
The NBFAC, directed by the FBI’s Laboratory Division, provides 24/7 bioforensic support for federal law enforcement and intelligence investigations. It combines traditional methods with cutting-edge approaches to identify biological components in evidentiary samples. NBFAC supports a wide range of federal partners and international allies, aiding in the investigation of biocrimes and bioterrorism.
