Centers for Homeland Security

 

DHS S&T seeks to establish a university-led consortium that work closely with DHS Components and their partners to conduct research, develop and transition mission-relevant science and technology and educate the next generation of homeland security technical and scientific challenges identified by DHS components. To accomplish this objective, DHS S&T has developed the following Centers of Excellence (COEs) and associated objectives: The Arctic Domain Awareness Center (ADAC) will focus on interdisciplinary research, education, and technology transition in maritime security, maritime domain awareness, and extreme and remote maritime environment issues. ADAC will focus on interdisciplinary research, education, and technology transition in maritime security, maritime domain awareness, and extreme and remote maritime environment issues. An interdisciplinary and experienced team of researchers is required to create an integrated array of research and education programs in the following areas: 1) maritime risk, threat analysis, and resilience research; 2) maritime domain awareness; and 3) maritime technology research. DHS is interested in pursuing research that will address the needs and technological shortfalls that enable the USCG and other Arctic maritime operators to respond to catastrophic events. Greater situational awareness in the Arctic maritime domain, including the Northern Bering Sea and Bering Strait, is a requirement to prevent and respond to incidents of national significance. The Center for Accelerating Operational Efficiency (CAOE) will conduct end-user focused research to enhance the application of analytic tools to enable the DHS components and offices to realize achievable improvements in operational efficiency, and to support real-time decision making to address homeland security-related threats and hazards. The research will provide technologies, education and training to improve data management and analysis, to facilitate operations research and systems analysis, to identify the economic impact of security threats and hazards, and to critically assess risks to DHS missions and the people and property they protect. DHS expects this Center to develop the next generation of applied mathematical, computational, and statistical theory (including algorithms and methods), and to advance the quantitative analytical capabilities of DHS components and offices and their partners. This Center also will provide quantitative and analytical tools to administrators, investigators, field operators, and analysts across DHS components. The Cross Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense (CBTS) Center will research and develop solutions, protocols, and capabilities to support DHS operations that detect, assess, and respond to known and unknown biological threats and hazards that could adversely impact the Nations people, agriculture, and economy. This Centers research will provide innovations and methods to improve biothreat screening and detection, prevention, and support response. Researchers will seek to understand how advances in bioengineering can support the needs of operators in the field when confronted with emerging threats, both naturally occurring and in situations involving intentional exposures. The Center will also research how to make sense of large amounts of data emerging from diagnostics, genetics, sensors, and the environment. Todays analysts, first responders, professionals in public and animal health, and operators in the field are confronted with enormous amounts of data which, if understood, could assist in improving our ability to identify threats earlier and make decisions that save lives and the economy. The Criminal Investigations and Network Analysis (CINA) Center will provide solutions to enhance investigation strategies to counter the proliferation of transnational criminal networks, cross-border criminal activities, and the growth in criminal use and exploitation of the cyber domain. CINA will develop and conduct research and education programs that will help DHS and its partners enhance investigation strategies to counter the proliferation of transnational criminal networks, cross-border criminal activities, and the growth in criminal use and exploitation of the cyber domain. The Center will provide education and professional development to improve the cost-effectiveness of criminal investigations, prosecution, prediction and prevention. CINA will also develop data, methods, tools, knowledge-products, and technology-based solutions for agents, officers and investigators to better coordinate investigative strategies and operations to predict, avert and prosecute trans-national crimes. The Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute (CIRI) will conduct research and education that will enhance the Nations ability to prepare and more rapidly recover from catastrophic disruptions, supporting DHS and its partners in solving complex, interdisciplinary challenges that affect the Nations infrastructure. Using a place-based approach, researchers will investigate multiple linked industrial sectors, utilities, and public services. These entities collectively prove critical to business continuity and community recovery within a specific metropolitan area. The place-based approach will allow CIRI to develop solutions to enhance preparedness and recovery of the nations critical infrastructure systems. Critical infrastructures are the assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof. The Coastal Resilience Center (CRC) will conduct research and education to enhance the Nations ability to safeguard people, infrastructure, and economies from catastrophic coastal natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes. The Coastal Resilience Center also will consider future climate trends and their impacts on coastal resilience. Areas of research will include coastal infrastructure resilience, building resilient communities, and disaster dynamics. The overarching goal of the Center will be to advance our understanding of coastal hazards to benefit a large number of public and private entities. DHS anticipates this research will produce tangible research and education results for use by DHS, other federal agencies, state and local governments, and other relevant entities. Soft-target Engineering to Neutralize the Threat RealitY (SENTRY) Center will focus efforts in protecting transportation environments and public venues, improving systems of collaboration across public and private entities, and producing new engineering approaches to securing crowded spaces with novel design concepts. There are growing threats from malicious threat actors that target unsecure spaces where they can inflict the gravest injury to human life and property. These threats result in physical, psychological, and financial losses on the individual, collective and societal level to the American population. To address these threats, DHS can make a difference by ensuring future public and private investment in urban infrastructure includes security principals. DHS seeks research that will ensure the Departments long-term needs are considered when infrastructure recapitalization occurs. SENTRY's research will directly support the departments strategic framework to counter terrorism and targeted violence. The goal of SENTRY is to advance research that safeguards spaces where traditional methods to physical security are impractical to implement at scale. The Maritime Security Center (MSC) will continue ongoing research and education activities in coordination with U.S. Coast Guard and other customers to facilitate transition of appropriate projects to DHS components and advance integrated education efforts. MSC research projects focus on the following areas: Maritime Risk, Threat Analysis, and Resilience Research; Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Research; Maritime Technology Research; and Integration of Science and Engineering with Maritime Security Governance and Policy Research. In addition to pursuing key research and education initiatives based on DHS challenges, the Center will also focus on enhancing the knowledge, technical skills, and leadership capabilities of the Nations current and prospective maritime security workforce. At the core of the Centers mission is the transfer of its research and expertise into relevant, innovative educational programs. The Centers educational programs leverage the subject matter expertise and research assets of its academic partners and stakeholder network to provide multidisciplinary and experiential learning opportunities for students and tailored programs for professional audiences. The National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education (NCITE) Center will conduct research and develop solutions, protocols, and capabilities to support DHS operations that detect, assess, and respond to domestic terrorist activities that would harm the people and infrastructure of the United States. The Centers research portfolio will focus on four major theme areas: the nature of counterterrorism operations, development of the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative, Terrorism Prevention, and Workforce Development. The Center will provide education and professional development to ensure that the current and future homeland security enterprise workforce is adequately trained and educated to prepare for and respond to terrorist activities.

Active 97.061 Science and Technology, Department of Homeland Security B - Project Grants; Z - Salaries and Expenses Fiscal Year 2016 Continuation application for 8 COEs (Two centers funded at less than $1M per institution were not included on continuation application). Competition of 2 COEs Continuation application for 10 COEs (Two centers funded at less than $1M per institution were not included on continuation application). Competition of 2 COEs
Fiscal Year 2017 Continuation Application of 6 COEs OUP awarded two new COEs in FY17.
Fiscal Year 2018 Continuation Application for 6 COEs. OUP to award one new COE in FY18.
Fiscal Year 2019 FY19 (actual) : Continuation Applications of 9 COEs.
Fiscal Year 2020 Continuation Applications of 8 COEs. OUP awarded one new COE in FY20. ADAC - completed successful tests of the Long-range Autonomous Vehicle (LRAUV) and marine induced polarization technologies under development and transitioned the High-Resolution Ice-Ocean Modeling and Assimilation System (HIOMAS) to USCG customer. BTI - completed Border Management/Cross Border Trade Course Curriculum and university offering courses for CBP officers and general public. Completed Cross-Border E-Commerce Challenges with Emerging Technologies research utilized by CBP and posted on its website. CAOE - developed tools that predict fluctuating demands at airport screening facilities at Phoenix Sky Harbor, helping to improve the efficiency of screening checkpoints without compromising security. This is a large-scale educational collaboration between airports in Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Diego contributed to the work. CBTS - In response to the COVID19 pandemic, the COE quickly initiated several new research projects examining the pandemic’s impact on various global supply chains. CIRI - provided funding and research opportunities to over 29 graduate students from 10 universities. These students collaborated alongside faculty researchers to address homeland security challenges. CRC – developed a Graduate Certificate in Disaster Resilient Policy, Engineering and Design that was approved and implemented by the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Curriculum Committee and the Graduate School in May 2020. CRC researchers developed the certificate program to further interdisciplinary education focused on achieving disaster resilience. CINA - produced its first and second prototypes in digital forensics and network analysis. The “Hash” prototype allows the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cyber Crimes Center (C3) to reduce dramatically the number of hours searching for evidence on recovered devices. MSC - developed a two-day Maritime Cybersecurity Professional Development Course in conjunction with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cyber Command and USCG Sector NY. The course provides Coast Guard personnel with foundational knowledge in cyber security concepts and increased awareness of cyber security vulnerabilities and mitigations, to assist in making cyber assessments as part of facility and vessel inspections and cyber incident response efforts. NCITE - supported the analysis and dissemination of a monthly report about ISIS in America, which details updated state-level statistics about recent U.S. Persons charged with material support charges across the United States. The report was sent to 78 DHS Fusion Centers and FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force listserv, which allows for information sharing about threats across FLSTT boundaries at an UNCLASSIFIED level for broad consumption from stakeholders.
Fiscal Year 2021 2021: Continuation Applications of 8 COEs. ADAC – developed and filed a provisional patent for a Long-Range Autonomous Vehicle (LRAUV) System and developed Arctic All-Hazard WebGIS software, which was successfully integrated into Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) Geospatial Information Infrastructure (GII) and incorporated a USCG Automatic Identification System (AIS) feed into the application. CAOE - developed and filed a provisional patent for an invention that advances the characterization of network scanning for vulnerable machines in the Internet or to perform reconnaissance, which is often the first step in a cyberattack, advancing automated characterization of network scanning that that will enable actionable cyber defense intelligence. CBTS - completed the development of Animal and Plant Disease Epidemiology 101 and 102 Courses and provided training classes to CBP Training Officers and completed a Comprehensive Curriculum Gap Analysis and Needs Assessment of CBP Training and Education programs. CIRI - developed the Probabilistic Resilient Interdependent Infrastructure System Modeling (PRIISM), a software product that conducts interdependent infrastructure risk assessments. The tool aims to provide a way to conduct more comprehensive risk assessments of critical infrastructure considering interdependencies between multiple networks. CRC’s - ADCIRC model was incorporated into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Global Extratropical Surge & Tide Operational Forecast System (ESTOFS-Global). Used by forecasters at Weather Forecasting Offices and the Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) to generate their storm surge forecasts during winter storms, the model also now offers improved spatial resolution in U.S. waters and enhanced physics. CINA - produced its third and fourth prototypes in multimedia analytics. The third prototype, voice analysis, provides U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigators with new and valuable information about the speaker in voice recordings (e.g. from 911 calls, interviews, etc.). The fourth prototype, video analytics system, increases the capacity of HSI, TSA, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to perform face and body identification and reidentification and edge processing, even using low-quality equipment. MSC - conducted two successful pilots of its Maritime Cybersecurity Professional Development Course. The course was piloted remotely on October 1-2, 2020, and December 3-4, 2020, and included a total of 34 marine safety personnel representing 18 Sectors from nine USCG Districts. NCITE - successfully involved 66 students within their core operations, research, and internships. Students were able to enhance their technical expertise, awareness of the Department’s missions, and were provided stipends and/or tuition.
Fiscal Year 2022 Received continuation applications of 7 COEs. OUP awarded the SENTRY COE in FY22. ADAC - completed the development of an Arctic Ice Condition Index (ARCTICE) and its integration into a visualization tool for the Arctic region, initially focused on the ice laden waters of the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. ARCTICE produces an easy-to-understand numeral to communicate ice conditions that are relevant to the capabilities of an individual vessel. This index has the potential to provide our U.S. Coast Guard and shipmasters with vital data to ensure the safety and security of Arctic vessels, personnel, and our environment. CAOE - hosted its third Hackathon/Design Challenge on "Countering Emerging Threats o Critical Infrastructure." This multi-COE event included 73 undergraduate and graduate students and 17 individual teams. The event provided a structured learning experience for students and included several real-world problem statements impacting homeland security, in which they were given them the opportunity to design, build, and implement innovative solutions that were then presented to SMEs and DHS leadership. CBTS - CBP Officers and Agricultural Specialists successfully completed the Epidemiology 102 train-the trainer course. CBTS partnered with AgriLife Research at Texas A&M University to develop the Epidemiology 102 course to train DHS Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers, Agriculture Specialists and other CBP field personnel to effectively query and triage incoming travelers, cargo, and shipments at our borders and ports of entry, and address epidemiological considerations. CINA - provided HSI Cyber Crimes Center with a prototype of the Criminal Predictive Analytical Platform for Opioid Abuse software for user feedback and preliminary testing. CIRI - kicked off Phase 2A of the NG 9-1-1 interoperability Testing Program, and important effort that will help ensure emergency telecommunications networks and equipment will be capable of working together end-to-end as the nation's 911 network moves into its "next generation" capable of handling not only voice communications, but text, videos, and external data as well. This phase of the project focuses on conformance testing requirements designed to be operational with the huge variety of equipment and systems in use nationwide. CRC - published the "Support Strategies for Socially Marginalized Neighborhoods Likely Impacted by Natural Hazards" report for DHS stakeholders that explores the disproportionate impacts of federal mitigation assistance on socially marginalized groups and under-resourced neighborhoods. The purpose of the report is to improve mitigation efforts by addressing equity in emergency management, ultimately informing the creation of national policy for federal organizations including FEMA, NOAA, and others. The research team also help a Natural Hazards: Mitigation & Equity Talk to present the results of the report to stakeholders. MSC - delivered its Maritime Cybersecurity Professional Development Course to USCG personnel. The course provided USCG personnel with fundamental cybersecurity knowledge and understanding of emerging threats to enhance vessel and facility security inspections and incident response. NCITE - hosted an online panel discussion "Six Months After the Countering Domestic Terrorism Strategy: A Conversation with John Cohen" with The George Washington University's Program on Extremism. The panel featured Mr. John Cohen, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Undersecretary of Intelligence an Analysis at DHS. Mr. Cohen discussed the Biden Administration's National strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism and discussed how DHS sees the current threat of domestic terrorism, the difficulties tied to resource allocation, and successes and challenges with the strategy implementation. Dr. Gina Ligon, Director of NCITE, and Mr. Seamus Hughes, Deputy Director of the Program on Extremism at GWU, participated in the panel discussion.
Fiscal Year 2023 Fiscal Year 2023 (estimated) Estimated to receive continuation applications of 7 COEs. New Arctic COE - A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the new Arctic COE was published on April 19, 2023; the award is expected in October of FY24. CAOE/SENTRY - Co-hosted a 30-hour hackathon at Arizona State University. This event challenged 115 students representing 11 institutions from across the country and Puerto Rico to quickly create innovative solutions to 1) guide crowds to good decisions during an attack, 2) enable effective and timely communication among stakeholders and responder to allow for oversight and response to an attack, and 3) inform and enable civilians to prepare for a drone attack. Problem sets were designed to drive outcomes that would align with real-world scenarios and current DHS mission challenge areas across the Homeland Security Enterprise. This event also supported CAOE's and SENTRY's focus on education and workforce development to cultivate the next generation of Homeland Security professionals. CBTS - developed a Truck Border Crossing Delays and Disruptions Economic Impact Assessment Model that was distributed by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). CINA – Will host six Distinguished Speaker events that provide homeland security thought leadership and result in quality video resources for the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE). CIRI - conducted its FY2023 annual meeting in Washington, DC on December 6-7, 2022 – its first in-person annual meeting since the pandemic. CRC - is conducting research to inform equitable administration and application of FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program to marginalized groups, neighborhoods, and communities. NCITE – released an Request for Proposals (RFP) that received 28 submissions and OUP conducted a Biennial Review on all of NCITE’s research, education, management efforts to provide actions and recommendations to be implemented in their next year’s work plan. SENTRY – is conducting a series of (Advanced Development for Security Applications) ADSA and Advanced Developments Encompassing Processes and Technologies (ADEPT) workshops attended by lead institution personnel, OUP officials, and engaged industry and DHS Component personnel. Homeland Security Act of 2002, Section 1205, Public Law 107-296, 6 U.S.C. 188(b) Eligible applicants are accredited U.S. institutions of higher education. Public and private colleges and universities. Not applicable. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Application deadline and other information are contained in the application/program guidance. Applications or plans are reviewed by DHS program and administrative staff for eligibility and responsiveness. Applications will undergo merit review by a panel of subject matter experts which may include federal and non-federal reviewers. Any issues or concerns noted in the application will be negotiated with the successful applicant prior to the award being issued. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Refer to announcement or program guidance document. None Renewals of grant awards are based on performance, program plan, and availability of funds. Refer to the program guidance for information on criteria for selecting proposals. Proposals must be submitted by an accredited U.S. institution of higher education that, along with its chosen partners, has the ability and capacity to conduct the required research. An accredited public and private institution of higher education in the United States must be identified as the official lead for proposal submission and subsequent negotiations. COEs may partner with other academic institutions, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and/or other MSIs and institutions in states that are part of the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), public or private sector, and non-profit organizations, including any organizations that meet the definition of nonprofit in OMB Circular A-122, relocated to 2 CFR Part 230. However, nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible to apply. Partnering entities will generally be funded through subawards from the lead institutions. National laboratories funded by Federal agencies may not apply. Refer to Program Guidance. Performance Reports: Refer to program guidance. These audits are due to the cognizant Federal agency, submitted through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, not later than 9 months after the end of the grantees fiscal year. Grant records shall be retained for a period of 3 years from the day the recipient submits its final expenditure report. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later. Grant records include financial and program/progress reports, support documents, statistical records, and other documents that support the activity and/or expenditure of the recipient or sub-recipient under the award. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Refer to program guidance. Awards are subject to the Cash Management Improvement Act for payment and/or reimbursement of expenditures. Refer to announcement/program guidance or the award document. Contact is Rebecca Medina Department of Homeland Security, University Programs, S&T
245 Murray Lane, Building 410, Mail Stop 0205
Washington, DC 20523 US
universityprograms@hq.dhs.gov
Phone: (202) 254-8680 http://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/centers-excellence 70-0803-0-1-999 (Salaries and Expenses) FY 22$36,970,000.00; FY 23 est $38,808,032.00; FY 24 est $39,000,000.00; FY 21$26,313,000.00; FY 20$29,657,026.00; FY 19$23,953,860.00; FY 18$24,731,500.00; FY 17$33,133,563.00; FY 16$33,592,811.00; - Not applicable/available. Not applicable. Not applicable.