Following the cancellation of the agency’s Science and Technology Directorate’s Centers of Excellence program, which set up partnerships with universities to study a diverse body of national security threats, two of the centers have their planned terminations paused: NCITE at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and ADAC-ARCTIC at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Each center focuses on developing technology solutions to the nation’s most pressing national security issues. In ADAC-ARCITC’s case, recent projects have included expanding drone operations in the Bering Strait, supporting professional residencies dedicated to Indigenous and Native peoples and enabling broader Arctic education.
Senators from both states confirmed that they held private conversations with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to halt termination efforts for their individual Centers of Excellence.
Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Ark., told Nextgov/FCW that he has had “a number of” conversations with Noem about the strategic importance of a DHS S&T center’s presence in the Arctic.
“After Senator Sullivan heard that funding had been cut for the Center, he reminded Secretary Noem of these conversations,” Amanda Coyne, the communications director for Sullivan told Nextgov/FCW. “Senator Sullivan is grateful that the secretary took immediate action to restore the funds.”
The center, housed in the University of Alaska Anchorage, confirmed to Nextgov/FCW that termination of federal funding has been paused as of early April.
“The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) received notice of termination and stop wor ..
Support the originator by clicking the read the rest link below.
