05/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/07/2024 14:28
The Department of Defense today announced the selection of seven DoD-university faculty teams to pursue fundamental social science research through the FY 2023 Defense Education and Civilian University Research (DECUR) Partnership, a program under the department's Minerva Research Initiative.
DECUR aims to develop collaborative relationships between Defense Professional Military Education institutions and civilian research universities to improve capacities in security-related basic social science research, inform DoD policymakers' understanding of the social and cultural forces shaping U.S. strategic interests globally, train future military leaders in social science methods, and enhance scientific cooperation between civilian and military educational institutions.
DECUR falls within the Minerva Research Initiative, DoD's singular program to connect with the social science community for basic research on areas of particular relevance to U.S. national security. Through its network of faculty investigators, Minerva helps DoD better understand and prepare for future challenges, particularly those prioritized in the National Defense Strategy. The initiative is funded by the Basic Research Office in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), who administers the program jointly with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Army Research Office, and the Office of Naval Research. Minerva also works closely with the Strategy Office in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.
"The DECUR Partnership facilitates exciting opportunities for civilian universities and DoD educational institutions to collaborate, linking researchers and students to create knowledge and methodologies that advance our understanding of national security challenges," said Dr. David Montgomery, director of social science in OUSD(R&E).
The seven projects selected for award are:
Topic 1: Socio-economic Vulnerability to Climate Change
Topic 2: Deterrence in the Future Operating Environment
Topic 3: Russian Speakers in Online Spaces
Topic 4: Power and Influence in the Era of Strategic Competition
For more information on the Minerva Research Initiative, visit here.
About USD(R&E)
The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) is the Chief Technology Officer of the Department of Defense. The USD(R&E) champions research, science, technology, engineering, and innovation to maintain the U.S. military's technological advantage. Learn more at www.cto.mil, follow us on Twitter @DoDCTO, or visit us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ousdre.