DHS DHS-23-ST-061-ARCTIC: 2023 Center of Excellence for Homeland Security in the Arctic

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The DHS S&T Office of University Programs (OUP) is requesting applications from accredited U.S. colleges and universities to lead a consortium of universities for a Center of Excellence for Homeland Security in the Arctic. The Center of Excellence (COE) for Homeland Security in the Arctic will conduct research and education to support homeland security mission goals in the Arctic, including those described in the 2022 National Strategy for the Arctic Region which seeks an Arctic region that is peaceful, stable, prosperous and cooperative; the 2021 DHS Strategic Approach for Arctic Homeland Security, which provides a strategic alignment and vision to protect the homeland and secure prosperity in the region; and the 2019 U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Strategic Outlook, which reaffirms United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) commitment to leadership in the Arctic region.

The U.S. Arctic is dynamic; evolving environmentally, operationally, and strategically. A challenging landscape and seascape, combined with the sheer vastness of distance from the mainland United States, austere communications, and limited infrastructure, exacerbate the harshness of Arctic operations. This new operating environment will not only require additional maritime security presence but will also necessitate new operational capabilities and additional resources to perform cyber and infrastructure security missions, trade and travel facilitation, and natural disaster response in the near term; and inevitably, additional mission sets.

For example, as changing conditions such as receding sea ice increase access to waters and land across the region, the homeland security mission in the Arctic is expanding.6 This includes furthering collaborative efforts to strengthen security and resilience with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities; private and non-profit industry; and communities and individuals. This will also involve efforts to ensure the resilience of the Arctic infrastructure necessary for basic and surge operations as well as lifeline functions against a range of natural and man-made threats; the advancement of situational awareness in the Arctic; the ability to respond to and recover from adverse events; identification of best practices, actions, technologies and policies that could prevent or help plan and prepare for adverse events; and fostering collaborative efforts via interagency and international fora to address areas of mutual interest.

The COE for Homeland Security in the Arctic will conduct interdisciplinary basic and applied research, education, and technology transition to inform those efforts and support DHS components having an operational presence in the Arctic, including the USCG, FEMA, CBP, CISA and other HSE entities in coordination with partner agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of State (DoS), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Areas of Interest

Theme Area One: Advance All-Domain Situational Awareness

Topic 1A. Impacts of Emerging Technology on Operations
Topic 1B. Technology Suitability and Adaptability for the Operational Environment
Topic 1C. Trend Analysis of Dynamic Human and Non-Human Systems in a Changing Environment

Theme Area Two: Improve Understanding of Risks and Potential Impacts

Topic 2A: Foundational Risk Assessment and Analysis for Operations
Topic 2B: Risk Management for Crisis Response

Theme Area Three: Enable Adaptation for Resilience

Topic 3A: Operational Adaptation for Security (multiple problem statements)
Topic 3B: Planning and Analysis for Future Conditions
Topic 3C: Advanced Technologies and Tools for Remote and Harsh Operating Conditions
Topic 3D: Building Capacity to Adjust to Future Conditions

Theme Area Four: Expand Collaboration and Cooperation across the Homeland Security Enterprise