The timeline below demonstrates significant milestones and deliverables from NSRI and the University of Nebraska System to U.S. Department of Defense sponsors since the institute was established in 2012. This is not a comprehensive list. For extended details, please explore the other areas of our site such as Innovative Capabilities, Publications and News.
2012
The University of Nebraska (NU) competes in a national open call for and is selected as a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) designated by the United States Office of the Secretary of Defense. NU establishes NSRI as an affiliated but independent 501(c)3 organization to carry the UARC designation.
U.S Strategic Command awards NU/NSRI its first indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle representing future projects worth $84 million. NSRI begins convening NU researchers with federal agency customers to accomplish deliverables.
2013
With $600,000 NU startup funding, NSRI lands contracts for 22 task orders. The task orders total $9 million — a significant accomplishment for a UARC’s inaugural year. This validates the demand for national defense support and confirms the value of NU’s and NSRI’s research capabilities across chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive domains.
2014
NSRI serves its 10th customer. Projects demonstrate the breadth of NU’s capabilities and capacity. Through a key project, “Low-Dose Radiographic System,” University of Nebraska–Lincoln physicists eventually will demonstrate that laser-produced X-rays can penetrate steel much thicker than cargo container walls and detect an even smaller amount of uranium than the minimum required by inspection standards.
2015
NSRI and NU complete their 25th research project for Department of Defense (DOD) and federal agency customers, while conducting 20 additional projects. In total, 24 NU researchers have participated as principal investigators on projects through NSRI since 2012. Projects include immunomics unit research support ($5.3 million), traffic-calming elements for entry-control facilities to delay and contain threats ($1 million) and a next-generation sequence training module ($1 million).
2016
Total contract awards since 2012 surpass $42 million, with $18.3 million awarded in 2016 alone — the highest one-year total to date. NSRI and NU have provided deliverables on 60 task orders, contracts and grants. NSRI scientists with extensive DOD experience are brought on board and begin work on a $9.3 million, 3-year contract involving biological field and laboratory support.
2017
NSRI begins expanding its physical footprint beyond Nebraska to better support defense customers. The NSRI National Capital Region Laboratory and Conference Center opens in Annapolis Junction, Md., and the NSRI Fredericksburg Field Office & Laboratory opens in Fredericksburg, Va. A cross-campus partnership of UNMC and UNL launches the Nebraska Drug Discovery Pipeline through a $7.3 million DOD contract. The pipeline will go on to assist in development of drugs to mitigate and/or counteract effects of Acute Radiation Syndrome.
2018
NSRI has facilitated 83 contract awards from 24 sponsors, totaling $61 million. More than 240 NU researchers and students have participated in projects. In this year alone, five contract awards total more than $8 million each. Several projects enter a second phase, including, “En Route Care Acute Respiratory Distress System (ARDS) Mitigation Using Oxygenated Microbubbles” and “Medical Countermeasure Drug Discovery and Development.” To keep pace with demand, USSTRATCOM awards the second IDIQ to the University of Nebraska through NSRI. This one for $92 million.
2019
NSRI and NU experience the most significant year-over-year contract growth to date — a 51% increase over 2018. Since 2012, NSRI has facilitated $155 million in contracts, with an estimated NU ROI of $3.30 for every $1 invested. By 2019, NSRI has served more than 40 defense customers. NSRI’s employee numbers surpass 50, and the institute expands its leadership team.
2020
The University of Nebraska and NSRI respond rapidly to evolving COVID-19 mitigation efforts, quickly adapting existing defense data, skills, tools and personnel to support the nation’s most immediate need. NSRI is awarded its third IDIQ contract from USSTRATCOM, another $92 million for application to ongoing defense initiatives, and the institute opens the new Space Coast Field Office in Melbourne, Fl.
2021
NSRI strategic deterrence interns after their brief
to Lt. Gen. Thomas Bussiere (center) at U.S. Strategic Command.
NSRI launches the NSRI Fellows program to continue to build multidisciplinary teams across the University of Nebraska System focused on developing solutions for complex problems across the spectrum of CBRNE threats. The Collaborative Biosecurity Laboratory opens to provide foresight in the areas of food, agriculture and environment. NSRI and NU welcome new customers, such as Tripler Army Medical Center, and continue to deliver pharmaceutical advancements to the Defense Health Agency and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Seven undergraduate students brief their NSRI internship experience and the resulting online wargame to the deputy commander of USSTRATCOM.
2022
As part of the launch of a new award for CBRNE response training, several collaborators visited the One World Trade Center and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
NSRI brings on additional leaders to maximize performance within its chemical and biological defense programs and establish support to USSTRATCOM for joint electromagnetic spectrum operations. The institute opens a new research office at USSTRATCOM headquarters, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska. Nearly 50 NU faculty join the institute as NSRI Fellows. Fourteen projects launch, including a collaboration with Johns Hopkins APL for a biomedical device, a $1.5 million contract for CBRNE response training and drone swarm enhancements for U.S. Army.
2023
Dr. Neal Woollen, NSRI associate executive director, speaks at the podium during an NSRI-hosted faculty workshop to launch the institute's new food, agriculture and environment Security focus area. University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, March 2023.
University of Nebraska researchers lead the way on several key projects through NSRI including, a $24.5 million award from the Defense Health Agency for acute radiation syndrome prophylactic development, continued development for U.S. Transportation Command from the UNL Midwest Roadside Safety Facility and electromagnetic spectrum R&D from the UNL Cyber-Physical Networking Lab. NSRI staff deliver USSTRATCOM a mission planning and analysis system through a new $4 million contract. Continuing to bring forward thought leadership, NSRI presents nuclear strategy and policy to National Academies environmental study, incorporates MINion device into training courses and launches a new focus area within its research portfolio – food, agriculture and environment security.
2024
NSRI research team sets up testing equipment for particle dispersal research onboard USNS Mercy in February 2024. Conducting this research in the complex and turbulent shipboard environment while underway allows the team to quantify existing risks and optimize mitigation strategies. Photo credit: ENS Lacy Burkett, assistant public affairs officer.
NSRI surpasses $150 million in research revenue and reaches $293 million in total awards on 188 projects since 2012. University of Nebraska faculty continue to join the NSRI Fellows program with nearly 160 members involved and participating in eight technical working groups. The institute delivers on several projects including an aerosol risk study onboard USNS Mercy for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and limited nuclear conflict wargames with leadership from the National Nuclear Security Administration.
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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