Research | Homeland Security

The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) fosters the tools, technologies, and knowledge products needed to secure our nation.

S&T's research and development is driven by the Department of Homeland Security's core mission areas. Our program managers, scientists, engineers, technology specialists, and subject matter experts work directly with DHS component agencies, first responders at all levels, emergency management and public safety personnel, and operators in the field to understand their unique needs and challenges.

We are in the business of identifying and developing innovative solutions. Some, cultivated by our Technology Centers, may be commercially-available or nearly market-ready. In other cases, we collaborate with partners from a broad network of federal, state, local, tribal and territorial governments; our national laboratories; industry innovators; academia and international agencies to pinpoint capability gaps and build technologies and publish guidance to address them.

Throughout the entire research and development lifecycle, we strive to connect partners with end-users across the nation to ensure our products can be transitioned to the commercial market for operational use.

Check out the Securing our Homeland with Science and Technology infographic to learn more.

Border Security

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Focuses on securing the nation’s borders on land, sea, and sky, while deterring illegal trafficking of goods and people into the United States.
Chem, Bio & Explosive Defense

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Supports prevention and protective strategies, as well as surveillance and detection of chemical, biological and explosive threats.
Counter Terrorist

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Advances research and development technologies, methods, and procedures to counter terrorist attacks.
Cybersecurity / Information Analysis

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Supports research, development, test and evaluation, and the transition of advanced cybersecurity and information assurance technologies to secure the nation’s cyber and critical infrastructures.
First Responder / Community and Infrastructure Resilience

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Supports DHS Components and regional partners to identify hazards, assess vulnerabilities, and develop strategies to manage risks.
Food and Agriculture Defense

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Conducts and coordinates research, development, test, and evaluation of technologies, techniques, procedures, and capabilities necessary to protect the food and agriculture systems of the United States.
Physical Security & Critical Infrastructure Resilience

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Invests in technologies, methods, and procedures to enhance the physical security of the nation’s critical infrastructure, including our air travel and transportation systems and soft targets.
S&T's COVID-19 Response

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Research-based, mission-driven resources for decision makers and frontline workers to contribute to the nation’s comprehensive COVID-19 response efforts.