New research agency unveiled for Homeland security

Aug 6, 2003 12:00 PM

In an effort to examine and research the possible technologies that will bolster its defenses, the Department of Homeland Security has formed the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA). Much like the Pentagon's DARPA, the agency will seek out and research innovations that will assist in protecting U.S. soil from terrorist threats or national disasters.

Headed by Deputy Director Jane Alexander with an operating budget of $1 billion, the three-person staff has already begun reviewing more than 3,000 proposals and has funded fewer than 100 so far. The agency is expected to grow to a staff of more than 20 people that will be able to fund more than 1,000 projects a year.

HSARPA is focusing on projects that would be able to come to fruition within six to 24 months, rather than projects that would unfold over years of research. The group will also consider projects that could benefit the other various agencies that are under DHS, such as the Coast Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

HSARPA's projects have three broad criteria:

*the technology must be relatively low in cost;

*the technology must carry zero risk for false positives if it is designed to detect terror attacks; and

*technology must be adaptable to different infrastructures and procedures across state lines and within local governments.

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