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| 97.061 CENTERS FOR HOMELAND SECURITY |
| Centers of Excellence |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Homeland Security Act of 2002, 6 U.S.C. 188(b), Section 1205 of Public Law 110-53, Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriation Act of 2003, Public Law 108-7; and Section 570 of Public Law 110-161. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| Establishment of a coordinated, university-based system to enhance the Nation's homeland security. The Department of Homeland Security Centers are envisioned to be an integral and critical component of the new homeland security complex that will provide the Nation with a robust, dedicated and enduring capability that will enhance our ability to anticipate, prevent, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks. These Centers will also provide a locus to attract and retain the Nation's best and brightest academic scholars in pursuit of homeland security related disciplines. The DHS Centers will complement other programs within the Department (including the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency) and in other Federal agencies that fund projects-focused research aimed at the development and deployment of specific homeland security technologies and capabilities. DHS Centers may also include cooperative center arrangements with other Federal agencies, or national laboratories. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants. |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Universities selected by DHS, may use grant funds for: (1) targeted research areas that leverage the multidisciplinary capabilities of universities and fill gaps in our needed knowledge and our ability to counter terrorist attacks; and (2)involve U.S. undergraduate,graduate, and post-doctoral students who are interested,dedicated and committed to making important contributions in science andtechnology endeavors that will enhance the overall security of the nation. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Eligible applicants are accredited U.S. institutions of higher education. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| Public and private colleges and universities. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| None. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
| Application Procedure |
| Application deadline and other information are contained in the application/program guidance. |
| Award Procedure |
| Applications or plans are reviewed by DHS program and administrative staff for eligibility and responsiveness. Applications will undergo merit review by a panel of subject matter experts which may include federal and non-federal reviewers. Any issues or concerns noted in the application will be negotiated with the successful applicant prior to the award being issued. |
| Deadlines |
| Refer to announcement or application guidance for further information. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Refer to announcement or program guidance document. |
| Appeals |
| None. |
| Renewals |
| Renewals of grant awards are based on performance, program plan, and availability of funds. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| None. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Refer to program guidance. Awards are subject to the Cash Management Improvement Act for payment and/or reimbursement of expenditures. |
| Reports |
| Refer to announcement/program guidance or the award document. Final financial and performance reports are due 90 days after the expiration or termination of grant award. |
| Audits |
| In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards (or receive property, or a combination of both, within the fiscal year) will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular A-133. These audits are due to the cognizant Federal agency, submitted through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, not later than 9 months after the end of the grantees fiscal year. |
| Records |
| Grant records shall be retained for a period of 3 years from the day the recipient submits its final expenditure report. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later. Grant records include financial and program/progress reports, support documents, statistical records, and other documents that support the activity and/or expenditure of the recipient or sub-recipient under the award. |
| Account Identification |
| 70-0800-0-1-999. |
| Obligations |
| FY 07 $23,963,885; FY 08 est $32,000,000; and FY 09 est not available. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| Refer to program guidance. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| Support continues for the existing Centers of Excellence and five new Centers are expected to be funded in FY 2008. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| None. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Department of Homeland Security, University Programs, 245 Murray Drive, Building #410, S.W., Washington, DC 20523. E-mail: universityprograms@dhs.gov. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.sciencetosecurity.org |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| None. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| Information on current DHS Centers of Excellence can be found at http://www.sciencetosecurity.org. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| Refer to the program guidance for information on criteria for selecting proposals. |
|
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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