This month the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska (NU) celebrates the seventh anniversary of its designation as a University-Affiliated Research Center (UARC).
Established as a UARC by the Office of the Secretary of Defense in 2012, NSRI has dutifully carried forward the designation on behalf of the University of the Nebraska, connecting faculty and students to customers across the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies. NSRI is the only UARC focused on coordinating research and developing solutions for deterring and countering weapons of mass destruction.
This single distinction has placed the University of Nebraska amongst an elite group of well-positioned and well-established universities. The university’s vision was to showcase to the DoD and the world that it is committed to the investments required to deliver research solutions to some of the toughest challenges facing the nation.
In celebration of seven years, here are seven key facts about the Institute.
40+ customers.
NSRI is engaged in a long-term, strategic partnership with its DoD sponsor, United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), providing mission-essential research and development capabilities for USSTRATCOM as well as other DoD components and federal agencies. The scope of NSRI’s relationships with customers is a pride point for the Institute and NU, indicating the capacity of the University to support decisive deterrence and defense.
$155 million in contracts.NSRI, a non-profit UARC, receives funding from project sponsors through contracts generated from sole-source, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts with USSTRATCOM, as well as other direct contract vehicles and grants. Significantly, NSRI’s growth trajectory is impressive, with a 51 percent increase in total contract amount in fiscal year 2019 over fiscal year 2018.
107 contracts.In 2019, NSRI broke the 100-mark for awarded contracts, demonstrating its trusted relationships with leadership and personnel across its customer base. Many of these customers have returned for additional work.
54 employees.After competing for and winning the UARC designation in 2012, the University of Nebraska supported the launch of NSRI nationally. Now, NSRI supports more than 50 employees in Nebraska and across the nation. Joint research appointments with the campuses, personnel traveling the country conducting critical all hazards response training and a leadership team with more than 200 years of combined DoD experience make NSRI possible, productive and reliable.
40 NU principal investigators.NSRI is strengthened by the University of Nebraska’s research capacity. The Institute proudly calls upon more than 350 leading researchers from across the NU campuses to deliver the products and outcomes sought by its customers. In turn, a relationship with NSRI broadens the scope of work for faculty to untapped resources for their work.
15+ facilities.From the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s biocontainment unit to the extreme light laboratory at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and from the dynamic test facility in New Mexico to the secure, multi-purpose high-bay training facility in Maryland, NSRI and the University of Nebraska have not only produced for customers but invested in the future.
7,000+ trainees.In addition to research, NSRI’s team has also increased the capacity of federal and state government agencies, law enforcement, public health and first responder personnel through multidisciplinary training, exercises and scenarios in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive subject areas. Another 800 National Guardsmen and Department of Defense analysts have also been trained through NSRI’s cyber expertise to contribute to the cyber mission and integrate with highly technical cyber operators.
Follow NSRI on Twitter and LinkedIn for opportunities and updates throughout its eighth year!
