The National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska collaborates with the University of Nebraska at Kearney 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.
NSRI Fellows
In 2024, four UNK faculty joined the NSRI Fellows program, bringing UNK’s total participants in the program to 14 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. They also lead and attend the annual NSRI Fellows Conference to engage with each other, current and former government sponsors and NSRI staff.
Latest Feature
Dr. Chris Exstrom
Why are you interested in supporting national security?
A citizenry cannot thrive when there is uncertainty regarding its safety. There is a wide variety of pathways for research to support national security, including deterrence of outside threats, military personnel safety and energy and infrastructure sustainability. Also, our country has a long tradition of national security related research evolving into applications and benefits for society at large.
Medical Countermeasures
Dr. Terry Thiem, NSRI director for medical countermeasures, presented "Developing Medical Countermeasures for the Warfighter" to more than 100 attendees at the University of Nebraska at Kearney in September 2024. He highlighted that the development of medical countermeasures for the warfighter is often not significantly different than that for the civilian population. Gunshot wounds and traumatic brain injury are examples of areas where medical research is common to both sectors. Operational environments such as chemical, biological and nuclear battlefields, however, are unique to the warfighter and where NSRI is tasked to provide expertise in developing medical countermeasures. He addressed those unique environments and presented current and proposed research to address some of the most difficult medical issues facing the warfighter today.
NSRI Medical CountermeasuresEngage on LinkedInSearch our publications database!
Curated to feature publications from NSRI Fellows
News
Features
Mentions
Mar 28, 2025
UNK News | NSRI Fellows Scott Darveau, Joseph Dolence, Jody Herchenbach & Allen Thomas
Mar 05, 2025
UNK News | NSRI Fellow Kim Carlson
Sep 12, 2024
UNK News | NSRI director of medical countermeasures Dr. Terry Thiem
NSRI At A Glance
$293 Million
Total awards
since 2012
188
Total contracts and grants
since 2012
44
NU principal investigators leading projects through NSRI since 2012
27
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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