Omaha, Nebraska — The National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska (NU) has received a $500 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract from U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) to deliver innovative research and development solutions that keep U.S. forces safe and maintain America's technological edge through rapid-response research capabilities.
With this contract, NSRI also retains its designation from the U.S. Department of War (DOW) as a University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), sponsored by USSTRATCOM and affiliated with NU. There are only 15 UARCs in the country.
While not a direct funding commitment, an IDIQ establishes that an organization has demonstrated capability and has been vetted, enabling government agencies to rapidly issue funded task orders for specific research without lengthy procurement processes.
"This IDIQ represents far more than a contracting mechanism — it's a vote of confidence in the institute's continued and future execution of critical research to meet national defense requirements," said Maj. Gen., USAF (Ret.) Rick Evans, NSRI executive director. "With emerging threats such as electromagnetic warfare and engineered pathogens evolving at an unprecedented pace, the DOW is accelerating critical research from concept to capability. This award expands the opportunity for NSRI and the University of Nebraska to meet the demand signal of the Department with proven flexibility, innovation and speed."
Since it was established in 2012, NSRI has delivered leading academic research and critical tools across two DOW missions — strategic deterrence and countering weapons of mass destruction. Its research portfolio spans the threat spectrum and crosses multiple domains. The institute has provided research, technology, product and strategy development, training, exercises and subject matter expertise to more than 50 federal and state government sponsors, generating hundreds of products, many of which are now in the hands of defense operators and decision makers.
"Today’s evolving national security threats mean we need mission-critical research solutions faster than ever," said U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. "I couldn’t be more proud of world-class expertise provided by University of Nebraska’s NSRI, and I look forward to seeing how U.S. Strategic Command and federal agencies will utilize this trusted strategic research organization."
The new contract, which consists of a five-year base period and a five-year option period, is the largest in the history of the University of Nebraska System, and the fourth IDIQ NSRI has received from USSTRATCOM — in addition to $84 million in 2012, $92 million in 2018 and $107 million in 2020.
Recent initiatives funded by the previous contracts include:
- Electromagnetic operations analysis across the Joint Force: Rigorous technical reports to help draw precise, accurate and relevant conclusions regarding the performance of platforms, systems, tactics, techniques and procedures.
- Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) prophylactic: Development of a first-of-its-kind therapeutic to help protect U.S. troops entering environments with high levels of radiation.
- Infectious aerosol risk study: Findings and conclusions from the study demonstrated how the Navy and Military Sealift Command protect medical staff and patients from aerosolized pathogens on the only two hospital ships in the fleet.
- Emergent gamma radiation technologies study: Assessment to help the DOW leverage existing and next-generation capabilities for shielding from and delivering medical countermeasures against gamma radiation effects.
- CBRN assessments, readiness and training frameworks and exercises: Comprehensive chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) solutions to support U.S. and allied partners.
"Defending the American homeland requires the best minds working on our most pressing challenges," said Congressman Don Bacon. "This IDIQ vehicle ensures NSRI, and the University of Nebraska’s four campuses, can rapidly deploy leading research towards nuclear deterrence challenges and emerging technologies. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I'm pleased that Nebraska continues leading the way in translating academic innovation into operational defense capabilities that protect American lives."
To accomplish its many efforts, NSRI's team of experienced scientists collaborates with hundreds of researchers and students across NU's campuses, including an academic medical center in Omaha and a Big Ten Academic Alliance institution in Lincoln, as well as other national premier academic and research institutions. These partnerships demonstrate in real time the UARC mission — connect university innovation with military requirements to deliver operational capabilities at the speed of relevance.
The specialized expertise NU faculty and student researchers provide to the DOW is backed by a comprehensive, four-campus state-wide research infrastructure. Facilities and centers across NU providing unique expertise and instrumentation include but are not limited to:
- Biological Processing Development Facility, University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL)
- Biomechanics Research Building, University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO)
- Cyber-Physical Networking Lab, UNL
- Global Center for Health Security, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)
- iExcel, UNMC
- Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, UNL
- National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center, UNO
- Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, UNMC
- Nebraska Drug Discovery & Development Pipeline, NU
- Nebraska Intelligent Mobile Unmanned Systems Lab, UNL
"This new contract continues our immediate national impact, and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity," said NU President Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold. "Our infrastructure, combined with faculty who've spent decades supporting military missions and students eager to serve, creates a powerful force: a university system where academic excellence meets operational urgency to address our nation's most critical defense needs."
Researcher Perspectives
Dr. Rebecca Oberley-Deegan, professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, is a long-time contributor to the development of the ARS prophylactic funded by the Defense Health Agency through NSRI. She has authored more than 20 publications in radiation-induced toxicity, including a recently published article in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences for the ARS project, which has been awarded a total of $35 million through NSRI by the Defense Health Agency.
"My background was purely academic until NSRI brought me onto this project," Dr. Oberley-Deegan said. "Being a part of NSRI has allowed my research to have a more direct focus and impact on helping the mission to protect our military men and women for accidental radiation exposures."
Dr. Mehmet Can Vuran, Dale M. Jensen Chair Professor in Computing at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, contributes to projects through NSRI for joint electromagnetic spectrum operations. He brings forward 20 years of R&D experience that includes more than 90 publications and more than 21,000 citations in the areas of wireless communications, AI/ML-based networking and the Internet of Things (IoT).
"The wireless spectrum is increasingly congested and contested," Dr. Vuran said. "We're developing cutting-edge AI technologies specifically designed for electromagnetic signals to help ensure our forces superiority in spectrum operations. Through NSRI's IDIQ vehicle, we can rapidly test these innovations using unique infrastructures like our city-scale wireless NEXTT testbed in Lincoln, ensuring solutions are field-ready to be deployed."
Dr. Krista Forrest, professor of psychology at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, grounds her research in legal psychology and group dynamics, focusing on how threats like chemical, biological and nuclear attacks "start and end with people." Acknowledged as one of the leading scholars in false confession research, Dr. Forrest has provided expert testimony and police training in better interrogation techniques across the country. Her work examines information salience as it is used, shared and adapted into decisions made within groups of varying sizes.
"National security threats ultimately come down to human decision-making," Dr. Forrest explained. "My research helps identify the psychological factors that influence critical choices during crisis situations—from individual decision-makers to group dynamics in high-pressure environments. Through this IDIQ vehicle, we can rapidly apply behavioral science insights to strengthen deterrence strategies and improve decision-making processes when it matters most."
Dr. Dustin White, associate professor of economics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, leads data analytics projects supporting USSTRATCOM's strategic deterrence mission. Through NSRI, Dr. White has worked with multiple USSTRATCOM teams to improve database efficiencies and organize personnel data to anticipate problems proactively. Recently named research director of the Koraleski Commerce and Applied Behavioral Lab, Dr. White specializes in game theory, data analytics and strategic decision-making.
"The best part of partnering with NSRI is the immediate real-world application," Dr. White said. "Our behavioral modeling and decision-making tools don't just advance academic knowledge—they directly support strategic deterrence and enhance decision-making capabilities. This IDIQ vehicle means we can respond even faster to urgent analytical needs, ensuring our research has maximum impact when defense professionals need it most."
