S&T works with homeland security operators to understand the capabilities they need to do their jobs effectively and efficiently.
Protecting our nation can be complex—from rapidly evolving threats to longer-term efforts that require our attention. To fully understand the needs of our operational components, DHS established Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to coordinate R&D activities across the Department and align R&D efforts to priority mission needs.
The IPTs identify and prioritize technological capability gaps across the core missions to drive DHS technology needs in these areas:
- Securing Aviation
- Protecting from Terrorist Attacks
- Securing Borders
- Securing Cyberspace
- Preventing Terrorism
- Managing Incidents
In addition, S&T worked alongside first responders on the fifth iteration in the Project Responder series of studies. Project Responder 5 identifies, validates and prioritizes capability needs for emergency response to critical incidents, including complex, multi-jurisdictional, large-scale, high-risk, high-probability or high-consequence incidents, or incidents that have important social or economic impacts.
Because many technology solutions exist in the commercial market, S&T developed the Industry Guide to help match industry know-how with the most pressing homeland security challenges. The S&T Industry Guide lays out DHS technology needs, describes S&T’s technical focus areas, and identifies opportunities and tools for industry to work with us. See more from the Industry Guide in the sections below. As a companion to the Industry Guide, our Innovation Programs & Tools booklet provides more detail on our tools for working with industry, including the process, eligibility, timelines, and how to apply.
These priority needs drive S&T’s R&D investments. S&T looks for the following types of solutions:
- Over the horizon, future innovations that will transform the way homeland security operators accomplish their missions.
- Near-term capabilities that will solve current operational challenges and meet the Department’s R&D needs.
- New applications of technologies to respond to emerging threats to the homeland.
S&T is looking for advances in these technologies:
- Sensors, Detection Devices, & Screening Systems
- Data Exploitation, Pattern Recognition, & Analysis
- Communication Systems & Networks
- Information Sharing & Display Environments
- Cyber & IT Monitoring, Vetting, Security Assurance
- Robotics & Autonomous Systems
- Modeling & Simulation
- Biometrics Collection & Utilization
- DHS core missions are identified in the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review.
- DHS established Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to coordinate R&D activities across the Department and align those efforts to mission needs. FY17 Report on Integrated Product Teams for Department of Homeland Security R&D identifies capability gaps and high priority technology solutions across DHS.
- Project Responder 5 identifies the challenges faced by first responders and prioritizes solutions to address those challenges.