Security Center launches grant program for Penn State faculty, researchers

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Center for Security Research and Education at Penn State invites University faculty and researchers to apply to its new grant program to support security-related scholarship and educational programs at Penn State.

Grants up to $15,000 are available to Penn State faculty and research staff to support interdisciplinary, collaborative research efforts or to facilitate educational activities that address the broad range of security challenges confronting society. Applicants may seek funding to address one or more dimensions of the threats currently facing individuals, families, physical and electronic infrastructure, food and water supplies, public health, or the natural environment, as well as the implication from society’s responses to these threats on economic well-being, civil liberties, and culture.

Though all University faculty and researchers are eligible for grants, preference will be given to proposals that originate or include substantial participation from CSRE member units, which include the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Applied Research Laboratory, the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, the Institute for CyberScience, the Penn State Institutes for Energy and the Environment, Penn State Harrisburg, the College of Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs, the College of the Liberal Arts, and the Social Science Research Institute.

Preference will also be given to proposals that clearly reflect the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary security challenges, describe the objectives to be achieved, and include cost-sharing from additional Penn State units. Additionally, applicants who have previously received CSRE funding should provide evidence of positive outcomes from the prior award.

For research grants in particular, projects that may lead to additional, external funding and that involve junior faculty and/or students will be given preference. Educational program grants that promote awareness of security issues or enhance the curricular experience of Penn State students are also preferred.

Complete details on the CSRE grant program, including award levels, criteria, allowable expenses, reporting requirements, and the grant application are available on the CSRE website.

Launched this fall, the Center for Security Research and Education at Penn State promotes research, teaching, and public outreach programs in the field of security. CSRE brings scholars from diverse disciplines together to pursue comprehensive solutions to security challenges. CSRE also works to promote public discussion on the critical security issues of the day.