Providing Practical Homeland Security Solutions

The DHS S&T Centers of Excellence (COEs) develop multidisciplinary, customer-driven, homeland security science and technology solutions and help train the next generation of homeland security experts. 

The COE network is an extended consortium of hundreds of universities conducting groundbreaking research to address homeland security challenges. Sponsored by the Office of University Programs, the COEs work closely with the homeland security community to develop customer-driven, innovative tools and technologies to solve real-world challenges. COE partners include academic institutions; industry; national laboratories; DHS operational components; S&T divisions; other federal agencies; state, local, tribal and territorial homeland security agencies; and first responders. These partners work in concert to develop critical technologies and analyses to secure the nation.

DHS S&T Centers of Excellence

• Center for Maritime, Island and Remote and Extreme Environment Security (MIREES), co-led by the University of Hawaii and Stevens Institute of Technology, focuses on developing robust research and education programs addressing maritime domain awareness to safeguard populations and properties in geographical areas that present significant security challenges.

  Center for Visualization and Data Analytics (CVADA), co-led by Purdue University (visualization sciences – VACCINE) and Rutgers University (data sciences – CCICADA), creates the scientific basis and enduring technologies needed to analyze large quantities of information to detect security threats to the nation.

  Center of Excellence for Awareness and Localization of Explosives-Related Threats (ALERT), led by Northeastern University, develops new means and methods to protect the nation from explosives-related threats.

  Center of Excellence for Zoonotic and Animal Disease Defense (ZADD), co-led by Texas A&M University and Kansas State University, protects the nation’s agriculture and public health sectors against high-consequence foreign animal, emerging and zoonotic disease threats.

  Coastal Hazards Center of Excellence (CHC), co-led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Jackson State University, performs research and develops education programs to enhance the nation’s ability to safeguard populations, properties and economies from catastrophic natural disasters.

  National Center for Border Security and Immigration (NCBSI), co-led by the University of Arizona and the University of Texas at El Paso, develops novel technologies, tools and advanced methods to balance immigration and commerce with effective border security.

  National Center for Food Protection and Defense (NCFPD), led by the University of Minnesota, defends the safety and security of the food system by conducting research to protect vulnerabilities in the nation’s food supply chain.

  National Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE), led by the University of Southern California, develops advanced tools to evaluate the risks, costs and consequences of terrorism.

  National Center for the Study of Preparedness and Catastrophic Event Response (PACER), led by Johns Hopkins University, optimizes the nation’s medical and public health preparedness, mitigation and recovery strategies in the event of a high-consequence natural or man-made disaster.

  National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), led by the University of Maryland, provides policy makers and practitioners with empirically grounded findings on the human elements of the terrorist threat and informs decisions on how to disrupt terrorists and terrorist groups.

  National Transportation Security Center of Excellence (NTSCOE) was established in accordance with H.R.1, Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, in August 2007. NTSCOE is a seven-institution consortium focused on developing new technologies, tools and advanced methods to defend, protect and increase the resilience of the nation’s multi-modal transportation infrastructure. The consortium is comprised of the following academic institutions:

  • Center for Transportation Safety, Security and Risk at Rutgers University
  • Connecticut Transportation Institute at the University of Connecticut
  • Homeland Security Management Institute at Long Island University
  • Mack-Blackwell Rural Transportation Center at the University of Arkansas
  • Mineta Transportation Institute at San José State University
  • Texas Southern University
  • Tougaloo College

   

  Center for Advancing Microbial Risk Assessment (CAMRA), co-led by Michigan State University and Drexel University and established jointly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fills critical gaps in risk assessments for mitigating microbial hazards.

Learn More

• Check out the COE Virtual Showcase.
• Search the COE project database and learn about ongoing efforts at www.hsuniversityprograms.org.
• Contact the Office of University Programs by emailing universityprograms@hq.dhs.gov.

Mandate

From the Homeland Security Act of 2002:

“The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, shall establish … a university-based center or centers for homeland security. The purpose of this center or centers shall be to establish a coordinated, university-based system to enhance the nation’s homeland security.”