International Partnerships
Homeland security has an inherently international dimension. The activities essential to secure the United States are not limited to the territory of the United States and involve causes and effects generated beyond U.S. borders. To further the international aspects of homeland security, Congress established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) International Cooperative Programs Office (ICPO) in 2007. ICPO oversees S&T's international activities and is responsible for the development of partnerships with foreign governments and international organizations in support of the Homeland Security Enterprise.
To promote the most innovative research and development opportunities, S&T strives to promote global security and anti-terrorism through international activities by partnering with:
Mission
DHS S&T’s international engagement strategy is aimed at both enhancing U.S. and partner capabilities and establishing enduring relationships to provide DHS S&T and the DHS Components with greater access to global research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E). Engagement objectives emphasize foreign relationship management (i.e. right-sizing partnerships), developing high-quality cooperative activities, and sustaining global science and technology awareness.
ICPO identifies international engagement opportunities for homeland security research, monitors scientific research relevant to existing and emerging homeland security challenges, and addresses DHS and its Components requirements while facilitating access to unique capabilities, resources, or data in foreign test beds, laboratory facilities, or university networks to improve the execution of research and development projects.
S&T's International Partners
ICPO manages relationships with 13 bilateral partners and with the European Commission. At any given time, ICPO oversees 100-plus international cooperative activities for S&T, DHS Components, and other government agencies. S&T leverages foreign research infrastructure and benefits from foreign partners’ technical expertise throughout project life-cycles, from requirements identification through project execution.
Multilateral Partnerships
In addition to bilateral partnerships, S&T works within multilateral fora to support DHS and its Components, and advance science and technology developments. S&T’s multilateral partners include the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Five Research and Development (5RD) Council, the European Commission (EC), and the International Forum to Advance First Responder Innovation (IFAFRI).
S&T, in coordination with the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, formed the Five Research and Development (5RD) Council to exchange information and coordinate research, as needed, on issues of concern to Home Affairs and Interior Ministries such as aviation security, biosecurity, border security, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, emergency management and resiliency, and technology foresighting. The 5RD is a part of the broader Five Eyes alliance, which facilitates the sharing of intelligence and security information with partner countries on a range of global issues.
Impact of International Work
- News Release: DHS S&T and Israeli Partners Announce Call for Proposals for Advanced Homeland Security Technologies
- News Release: U.S., Republic of Korea to Partner in Science, Technology, and Information Communication Technology
- Snapshot: S&T Joins with International Partners to Establish Latest Emergency Response Best Practices
- Snapshot: S&T, Israel Tackle Cargo Shipping Security
- News Release: DHS S&T Hosts Five Eyes Security Partners to Discuss Multilateral RDT&E
- Press Release: U.S. – Canada Partnership to Enhance Paramedic Decision Making Through Artificial Intelligence
- Snapshot: S&T Explores Wildland Fire Innovation with Federal and Global Partners
- 8 Finalists Announced in $1.55m Challenge for New Solutions to Detect Opioids in International Mail
- News Release: DHS S&T Awards $1.6M to Improve X-ray Scanning Capabilities
- S&T and Israeli Partners Announce Call for Proposals
- S&T Robot Test Standards Adopted for Fukushima Cleanup
- DHS S&T, Dutch Partners Award $2.5M for Cyber R&D
- S&T is Creating a Market for Affordable International Responder Tech
- Israeli Morphisec Gets $200K for Cybersecurity Tech
- DHS S&T Invites First Responder Industry to Stakeholder Summit
- DHS S&T to Host Stakeholder Summit for First Responder Industry, August 9
- U.S. Canada Kick off Artificial Intelligence Initiative
- DHS S&T Awards $190K to London Startup
- CAUSE V Digital Op Team Responds to Tacoma Train Derailment
- Israel & US: A Unique Partnership in Science, Technology and Business
- S&T and Israeli Partners Call for Proposals on Advanced First Responder Technologies
- S&T helps create the next USCG Cutter Polar Ice Breaker
- U.S.-Canada Demonstrate Communications Interoperability Among First Responders
- U.S.-Canada to Test Cross-border Communication for Disaster Response
- S&T Testing Provides a Better Understanding of How Chlorine Spreads
- DHS S&T to Participate in NATO Exercise
- NRC team with USCG & DHS to Advance Icebreaking Tech
- S&T and Sweden Celebrate 10 Year Anniversary
- NATO adapts NICS for first responders
- New Report Highlights Key Lessons Learned During Cross-Border Experiment
- NICS, A Communication Platform For First Responders, Now Available Worldwide
- CAUSE IV Lessons Learned from the US Canadian Cross Border Experiment
- DHS, Canadian Partners to Run Cross-Border Emergency Response Experiment
- CAUSE IV Tests Binational Mutual Aid Planning App
- US Canada CAUSE IV Experiment Interoperability LTE Technology
- Base Ensemble Offers Greater Protection for First Responders
- Responder News US Canada CAUSE IV Experiment
- Forum Fosters Global Collaboration
- S&T to Collaborate with Australia on Emergency Info Sharing
- S&T, Canada, USDA Partner to Develop a Car Wash that Could Protect Food Supply
Contact Us!
For more information, contact us via email at SandT.InternationalPrograms@HQ.DHS.GOV.
Check out our International Engagement Strategy for more information on S&T's international activities!