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  1. Science and Technology
  2. Partnerships
  3. University Programs

Office of University Programs

20 Years of Academic Excellence

S&T’s Office of University Programs and others reflect on how the DHS Centers of Excellence have impacted the nation.

Join Us in Celebrating Two Decades of Innovation

Investing in the Future with HS-POWER Interns

Celebrating 100 talented students and their mentors who are making a positive impact across DHS.

Learn More About HS-POWER

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Office of University Programs (OUP) streamlines access to the expertise of the nation’s colleges and universities by providing innovative research, development and education to address pressing homeland security needs. View our OUP fact sheet to learn more.

S&T's Office of University Programs Harnesses the Intellectual Power of America's Universities

  • Centers of Excellence

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    Engaging experts within multidisciplinary academic consortia to conduct groundbreaking research on threats facing the homeland.

  • Workforce Development Initiatives

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    Enabling DHS Centers of Excellence to engage with and cultivate the next generation of homeland security professionals and provide opportunities for the current workforce.

  • Minority Serving Institutions

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    Providing opportunities that foster and cultivate a diverse university-based research capability and talented workforce and prepare motivated students to launch successful homeland security-related careers.

Funding and Partnership Opportunities for Students and Academic Institutions

The Office of University programs offers a number of opportunities for engagement, including paid programs for undergraduate and graduate students, and requests for information and proposals for college and university research programs.   

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  • Undergraduate and graduate Students -The Homeland Security Professional Opportunities for Student Workforce to Experience Research (HS-POWER) program aims to promote long-term relationships between students, researchers, DHS personnel, and research facilities to develop a diverse, educated, and skilled pool of STEM professionals. The program provides undergraduate and graduate students paid opportunities to participate in quality homeland security-related research experiences. 
  • Undergraduate and graduate students and early-career faculty - The Summer Research Teams (SRT) program places MSI teams made up of early-career faculty, undergraduate and graduate students for ten weeks to conduct full-time collaborative research at a DHS Center of Excellence.
  • College and Universities – Throughout the year, many DHS Centers of Excellence issue requests for information and calls for proposals on topics of importance to the homeland security mission. Visit S&T’s Funding and Partnership Opportunities web page to view current announcements. 

Follow @dhsscitech on your preferred social media platforms for news about opportunities and events from the Office of University Programs.

Last Updated: 01/06/2025
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