DHS Centers of Excellence Congressional Staff Luncheon Briefing

The  invitation only briefing will explain how the DHS Centers of Excellence (COE) play a crucial role in carrying out the DHS Science and Technology Directorate’s mission and serve as the only university research program dedicated to solving critical homeland security challenges. The program is operated by the DHS Office of University Programs through Congressional appropriations.

The briefing will highlight the successes and achievements of the centers. Participants will also discuss how the COE program serves a critical responsibility of advancing our nation’s technical capabilities in protection against terrorism, securing our borders, and responding to natural disasters. It illustrates how COEs bring together universities, industry, and public agencies to generate basic and applied research that can be rapidly developed into innovative technologies for the homeland security community. The COE business model provides DHS, our first responders, and the nation with affordable products and analysis without the longer term costs of conducting the work in-house. The centers also serve as training grounds for the current and next generation of homeland security experts.