DHS Directorate For Science and Technology - Overview

Overview

The Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&Ts) mission is to improve homeland security by working with the other operating components of the United States Department of Homeland Security, as well as State, local, tribal, and territorial emergency agencies to provide state-of-the-art technology and solutions that help them achieve their missions.

The Science and Technology Directorate has four major program activities:

• Acquisition and Operations Support - Provides expert assistance to entities across the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE) to ensure that the transition, acquisition, and deployment of technologies, information, and procedures improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the operational capabilities across the HSE mission. The five areas within AOS are: Operations Research and Analysis; SAFETY Act; Standards; Technology Transition Support; and Testing and Evaluation.
• Laboratory Facilities - Provides the Nation with a coordinated, enduring core of productive science, technology and engineering laboratories; organizations and institutions, which can provide the knowledge and technology required to secure our preserve national security. ONL executes two programs: Construction and Laboratory Operations.
• Research, Development, and Innovation - Provides state-of-the-art technology and solutions to meet the needs of the operational components of the Department of Homeland Security and other first emergency agencies. Includes customer-focused and output-oriented RDT&E programs that balance risk, cost, impact, and time to delivery. The six areas within RD&I include: APEX Research and Development; Border Security; Chemical, Biological, and Explosive Defense; Counterterrorism; Cyber Security; and Disaster Resilience. This includes the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency.
• University Programs - Supports critical homeland security-related research and education at U.S. colleges and universities to address high-priority, DHS-related issues and to enhance homeland security capabilities over the long term. The three areas within University Programs are: Centers of Excellence, Education Programs, and Minority Serving Institutions.