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:
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.
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.
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.
- Blog: Building New Bridges
- Feature Article: SAGE Advice—S&T Collaborates with Canada on Emergency Response Best Practices
- News Release: DHS and Republic of Korea Sign Agreement for Homeland Security Research and Development
- News Release: DHS S&T and Israeli Partners Announce Call for Proposals for Advanced Homeland Security Technologies
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!