Center of Excellence (COE) Center for Explosives Research (CER) Center Partner | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

This Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding opportunity (DHS 13 ST 061 COE 001B) supports the creation of a university-based Center of Excellence focused on explosives research by funding a small number of university partner projects that will plug into a larger Center for Explosives Research (CER). It is specifically the "Center Partner" competition and is tied to a separate, concurrently posted solicitation for the "Center Lead" (DHS 13 ST 061 COE 001A). In practical terms, DHS is looking for U.S. colleges and universities to propose a single, well-defined research project that can become part of the CER portfolio under the eventual Lead institution, assuming the proposal clears both scientific merit review and a DHS mission-relevance review.

The purpose of the CER is to strengthen the nation’s technical ability to prepare for, characterize, and detect explosive threat materials associated with terrorist attacks, with a clear emphasis on needs tied to real operational environments like mass transit modes and public venues. DHS expects the research to be rigorous and grounded in strong science and engineering, while also being forward-looking enough to produce genuinely new knowledge and enabling technologies. A major theme running through the announcement is that research outputs should not sit in isolation: findings should be suitable for integration into broader screening ecosystems that may combine multiple sensors, sensor systems, and advanced algorithms. The end goal is to help future screening system developers and other government customers build better tools for detection and characterization of explosive threats.

In addition to research, the CER is expected to have a meaningful education and workforce development role. The Center is expected to develop curricula and learning content relevant not only to degree-seeking students, but also to mid-career professionals who need updated technical understanding of explosive threats and the evolving detection and mitigation landscape. DHS frames this as building a pipeline of well-trained people with the skills the country needs to anticipate and counter explosives-related risks over the long term, not just produce one-off research results.

DHS also places strong emphasis on interdisciplinary teamwork and on moving ideas toward real-world use. Partner projects are expected to contribute to a multidisciplinary portfolio that could involve chemists, mathematicians, physical scientists, and engineers working together on new detection approaches, enabling technologies, and potentially sensor system concepts that can be designed, developed, and demonstrated. Just as important, applicants are expected to think about technology transition from the start by describing feasible pathways for moving results into implementation, whether through government channels, private-sector partnerships, or other practical mechanisms. This reflects the broader DHS Science and Technology Directorate approach, which spans everything from fundamental research through applied technology development, and the CER is expected to complement that full-spectrum R&D program managed by the DHS S&T Explosives Division.

Because the CER is part of the DHS S&T University Network, applicants must also plan to collaborate, share, and coordinate. The Network is described as a consortium of DHS Centers of Excellence that share resources and data and work jointly on complex homeland security problems. CER partner proposals are expected to leverage and complement existing COE work rather than duplicate it, and applicants are encouraged to propose a coherent research plan that matches the personnel and resources they realistically have. DHS notes that proposals do not need to cover every topic in a theme area; what matters more is that the project is scientifically sound, relevant, and well positioned within the broader CER and COE ecosystem.

A notable operational requirement is that proposed research must be conducted in an unclassified academic environment, and applicants should clearly identify any unique lab or testing facilities needed to conduct the work safely. Safety and oversight are treated as core program requirements, not add-ons. Successful applicants will be required to convene a subject matter expert panel to review planned Homemade Explosives (HME) research activities at academic partners and advise the Center Lead on what level of work with actual HME mixtures or compounds is appropriate. In addition, partner institutions must demonstrate a comprehensive researcher safety program that meets or exceeds DHS Office of University Programs requirements, underscoring DHS concern about responsible handling of sensitive and hazardous research topics.

From an administrative standpoint, the award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which typically signals substantial DHS involvement during performance, such as coordination on research direction, milestones, transition planning, or integration with broader DHS efforts. DHS anticipated making about two awards under this partner solicitation, with an award ceiling of $500,000 and no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Eligible applicants are U.S. public, state-controlled, and private institutions of higher education. DHS also clarifies an important constraint: institutions already included as partners under a Center Lead application cannot submit under this Partner FOA for single research projects, which is meant to avoid duplicate or overlapping partner selections.

Key dates listed in the posting show it was originally posted August 27, 2012, with an application closing date of November 27, 2012, and an archive date of December 27, 2012. The CFDA program identifier is 97.061 (Centers for Homeland Security). The administering office is DHS Office of Procurement Operations, Grants Division, and the point of contact listed for access issues is Jacqueline Greely, Grants Technician (202-447-0724).

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