Our Work

Our Work

Science and Technology Infographic. Securing our homeland with Science and Technology 63% improvement for border agent performance (Sign Cutting and Tracking Training), Over 18,000 garments made available (Wildland Firefighter Gear), 1,173 accounts receiving free virtual active shooter training (EDGE), $1.55 million opioid detection global prize competition held, 211 explosive canine teams’ performance evaluated (REDDI), 90-minute turnaround for identity verification (Rapid DNA), 475 victims saved from child sex trafficking (CHEXIA), 140 assessments conducted for 732 commercial products (SAVER), 15% increase in imposter detection (Eye-Dentify), 1,050 SAFETY Act applications approved, and $2.3 million awarded through U.S. and Israeli collaboration (BIRD). U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology seal and logo. S&T’s website address (scitech.dhs.gov). S&T social media logo (Face Book, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube & Instagram, handle dhsscitech)As the research and development (R&D) arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) focuses on providing the tools, technologies, and knowledge products the nation’s Homeland Security Enterprise needs today and tomorrow. That means S&T constantly works to bridge industry and end-user communities around the nation. S&T’s R&D focus areas cover DHS’s core mission areas and use our network of industry, national laboratory and other partners to seek solutions for capability gaps and define topics for future research.

Established by Congress in 2003, S&T strives to enable effective, efficient, and secure operations across all homeland security missions by applying scientific, engineering, analytic, and innovative approaches to deliver timely solutions and support departmental acquisitions.

Across all DHS mission areas, S&T helps integrate innovative technology into everyday use. S&T works directly with operators in the field to understand their unique needs and challenges. From there, S&T partners with U.S. and international government, industry and academia to create and test solutions that help the nation’s homeland security officials prevent, respond to and recover from all hazards and threats. Our goal is to provide real world solutions in a realistic timeframe.

S&T supports DHS by creating the technologies and solutions needed to strengthen the Homeland Security Enterprise. Working with innovators in federal, state, local, tribal and territorial agencies; private industry; and academia, S&T helps identify, develop or adapt R&D efforts to address strategic needs. The driving force behind all of these efforts is an understanding of the role technology can play in helping the nation’s homeland security officials stay ahead of evolving threats.

We understand the ever-changing threat environment, and our relationships with the men and women who combat those threats every day make the organization an effective catalyst for improving the security and resilience of our nation.

Our DHS Focus Areas 

  • A helicopter

    Borders and Maritime Security

    DHS S&T works closely with border and immigration officials to understand how technology can help support their missions and overcome challenges.

  • OUP campus building image.

    Centers of Excellence and Academia

    We partner with a host of academic, national laboratory and research organizations across the nation to address specific homeland security topics and threats.

  • Digital images of chemical or biological agents

    Chemical and Biological Detection

    DHS S&T partners with authorities across the nation to address chemical and biological threat prevention needs through technological innovation and future-focused research.

  • A training passing through a train station

    Critical Infrastructure and Resiliency

    We coordinate with public and private sector partners to help strengthen the security and resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructure through technical innovation.

  • Digital image of a cybersecurity

    Cybersecurity

    DHS S&T supports the full spectrum of cybersecurity research and development.

  • Computerized image of a person wearing an explosive protection body suit.

    Explosive Detection and Aviation Security

    Being at the forefront of explosive detection and mitigation research and development helps us create new approaches to help protect American citizens and infrastructure.

  • A first responder searching in a fire.

    First Responders Technologies

    In close partnership with first responders at all levels, S&T identifies, validates, and facilitates the fulfillment of needs through the use of existing and emerging technologies, knowledge products, and standards.

  • A drone.

    Air & Space Technology

    DHS S&T is tackling unmanned aerial systems challenges by researching ways to protect against threats and ways to make them more usable for the Homeland Security Enterprise

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