The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has announced the selection of The University of Alaska to lead a consortium of U.S. academic institutions and other partners for the new ADAC-ARCTIC Center of Excellence (COE) for Homeland Security in the Arctic. S&T will provide ADAC-ARCTIC with $46 million over a 10-year cooperative agreement period.
“The ADAC-ARCTIC COE will affect major DHS mission priorities by focusing on critical research needed to prepare for and implement effective responses to challenges facing the Arctic domain,” said Dr. Dimitri Kusnezov, DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology. “The Arctic’s dynamic ecosystem has proven to be an extraordinary challenge, and DHS is fortunate to leverage the expertise of academia to meet operational requirements.”
The COE will lead a consortium of academic, industry, government, laboratory, and local and indigenous community partners to help provide access to rigorous research and education resources for DHS, and broader homeland security stakeholders.
Working closely with DHS operational components, the ADAC-ARCTIC research portfolio will conduct research and develop multidisciplinary solutions focused on natural and man-made disasters, ice melt and communications infrastructure. Vital insights gained from academic-led innovative research will help the Department adapt operational missions to the complex, evolving Arctic domain.
In addition to conducting research, the ADAC-ARCTIC COE will also lead training and education efforts for students and faculty, as well as for the DHS workforce.
The Alaska delegation of U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and U.S. Representative Mary Peltola applauded the selection of UAA as the new location for the Center in its press release noting, “The University of Alaska Anchorage has a deep knowledge of the Arctic’s interests and concerns and is extremely qualified to research, innovate, strategize, and lead in the Arctic region.” We are honored by this endorsement, as well as their support leading up to the selection.
For more information about S&T’s COE program, visit www.dhs.gov/st-oup.
Source: Science and Technology (S&T)
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