DHS technology budget to exceed $1B in 2005.

• Author: Kennedy, Harold

An array of emerging technologies is the key to defending the United States from its enemies, according to Charles E. McQueary, undersecretary of homeland security for science and technology.

Developing those technologies is the mission of the S&T division of the Department of Homeland Security. McQueary has led the division since the Department's founding in March 2003.

Since the division stood up a year ago, the staff has increased from 60 to more than 200 "very capable, professional people, and we're not through yet," McQueary told National Defense.

The S&T budget has grown by $126.5 million--nearly 14 percent--to a requested $1.03 billion in 2005.

With those resources, S&T has accomplished "a great deal in a short amount of time," McQueary said, ticking off these examples:

Creating S&T infrastructure. The division has established a homeland security laboratory system--including national laboratories of the Energy Department, DHS agencies, and other organizations across the country--to research better ways to defeat terrorism.

The division also created an office of weapons of mass destruction operations and incident management to provide scientific and technical support in assessing and responding to threats.

S&T took over management of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center on Long Island, N.Y. The center, which previously had been run by the Agriculture Department, focuses on protecting the nation from "agricultural terrorism," McQueary said. Plum Island scientists conduct research to protect U.S. livestock against potentially disastrous foreign animal illnesses, such as foot and mouth disease, he said.

In February, McQueary convened the first meeting of the homeland security science and technology committee, which was established to provide independent planning advice to the division.

Partnering with industry. During the past year, S&T awarded $6.5 million to 66 small companies in 23 states to fund projects addressing the department's high-priority technological interests.

In April, HSARPA announced that more than a dozen teams had been selected to negotiate for $48 million in contracts to develop next-generation biological detection sensors and systems.

Next-generation scientists. Currently, S&T is reviewing applications for the 2004-2005 class of DHS's scholars and fellows program, McQueary said. Last September 100 students--chosen from more than 2,400 applicants--were named to the inaugural class.

"The program supports U.S. students who...