DHS chooses Stevens Institute of Technology for maritime research

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate has selected Stevens Institute of Technology as the lead institution for the establishment of a new Center of Excellence for Maritime Research (CMR).

As part of the selection, Stevens will also receive $2m in funding per year for about five years.

Stevens Institute of Technology School of Engineering and Science Feiler chair professor and dean Michael Bruno said: "This award comes after a nearly year-long competition that challenged our researchers and education staff to demonstrate the impact of their present work, and to articulate their vision for the next five years.

"We are proud that the Department of Homeland Security has chosen our team to take on the serious technical and policy challenges faced on a daily basis by the Department and in particular by our primary customer, the U.S. Coast Guard."

The new centre will comprise other partner institutions, including MIT, University of Miami, Rutgers University, University of Puerto Rico and Elizabeth City State University, in addition to new partners including LSU, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Connecticut.

The centre will develop new ideas and research to detect better ways to develop transparency in the maritime domain along coastal regions and inland waterways, as well as incorporating data and intelligence among stakeholders.

The research carried out at the CMR will assist the US in dealing with challenges in the maritime domain, amid the generation of new security challenges and risks, in addition to the potential for rising clashes among maritime users, stakeholders, and interests

Bruno added: "The funding is a significant boost to Stevens’ R&D efforts in maritime security and ocean observations.

"Importantly, the centre designation affords us the ability to secure additional funding through DHS member agencies to pursue new but related research."

Further, CMR will chip in towards the education of both university learners and mid-career professionals positioned in maritime security.

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Image: Stevens Institute of Technology will lead the new Center of Excellence for Maritime Research (CMR). Photo: courtesy of Stevens Institute of Technology.