The National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska collaborates with the University of Nebraska Medical Center to bring forward the campus's capabilities, researchers and students to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The NSRI team is proud of our accomplishments together and looks forward to more opportunities throughout 2025!
Our Purpose
Mission: Provide novel research, technology, training and expertise to improve the U.S. capability to deter, interdict and respond to strategic threats.
NSRI carries the DOD designation of University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) on behalf of the University of Nebraska System. NSRI's designation is sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska. NSRI is one of only 15 DOD UARCs in the country. It was established in 2012.
OSD director visits NSRI, NU
Valarie Hall, director of University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers for the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD R&E), visited NSRI and UNMC to gain a deeper understanding of the UARC's research and operations.
Read Summary ReleaseActive Projects
UNMC researchers can leverage the UARC IDIQ contract vehicle through NSRI to quickly get on contract with DOD agencies for projects in NSRI's mission area. They can also tap into NSRI staff expertise and networks to connect their research and ideas to DOD needs. Following are the active projects UNMC researchers and students contributed to throughout 2024.
Defense Health Agency
$24.5 million
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
$5 million | Established 2023
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University of Nebraska Collaboration Initiative
$97,755 | Established 2023
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
$10.3 million | Established 2020
University of Nebraska Collaboration Initiative
100,000 | Established 2024
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Targeted Aacquisition of reference materials augmenting capabilities (TARMAC) initiative
JPEO-CBD
$10 million | Established 2018
University of Nebraska Collaboration Initiative
$150,000 | Established 2023
NSRI Fellows
In 2025, 11 UNMC faculty joined the NSRI Fellows program, bringing UNMC’s total participants in the program to 59 faculty.
NSRI Fellows aim to apply their expertise to national security challenges across NSRI's research portfolio. They are nominated by their peers, confirmed by NSRI leadership and endorsed by campus research offices.
Fellows have formed eight working groups to create purposeful technical conversations and position expertise to pursue opportunities. Three UNMC faculty lead working groups of fellows to catalyze technical discussions and project proposals — Eric Carnes, biological defense; Gurudutt Pendyala, food, agriculture and environment security; Becky Deegan, medical countermeasures.
Fellows also lead and attend the annual NSRI Fellows Conference to engage with each other, current and former government sponsors and NSRI staff.
Search our publications database!
Curated to feature publications from NSRI Fellows
News
Features
Aug 04, 2025
Cutting-edge resource for molecular level, game-changing discoveries at the University of Nebraska Medical Center
Jun 18, 2025
Dr. Mara Jana Broadhurst, associate professor of pathology, microbiology & immunology, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Mentions
Jun 06, 2025
UNMC Newsroom | James Lawler
May 06, 2025
MedPage Today | James Lawler
Apr 30, 2025
UNMC Newsroom | Shaun Cross
NSRI At A Glance
$293 Million
Total awards
since 2012
190
Total contracts and grants
since 2012
44
NU principal investigators leading projects through NSRI since 2012
22
Current, active projects
contracted through NSRI
Connect With NSRI
As the DOD-designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) of U.S. Strategic Command and the University of Nebraska System, the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) delivers solutions for strategic deterrence and CWMD mission requirements gaps. Our rapid-response capabilities and efficient contracting vehicle can help federal government program managers meet critical research and development needs. Connect with us to learn more.
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