UMD gets DHS grant

Homeland Security Department Centers of Excellence

The University of Maryland will receive $12 million during the next three years to study the behavioral and social aspects of terrorism and counterterrorism, Homeland Security Department officials announced today.

Academic and policy experts will focus on the international and domestic dimensions of the sources of terrorism, responses to terrorist acts, psychological impact of terrorism on society and improving the public's preparation and response. They will also try to develop strategies and improve counteractions through understanding terrorists' intent and motivation.

"A critical aspect of fighting terrorism is understanding terrorism, understanding how terrorist groups form and operate, how they grow and sustain themselves, and the social and psychological impacts of terrorist attacks," said DHS Secretary Tom Ridge, who announced the program at a press conference today.

The University of Maryland was chosen out of 27 proposals in a process that began last July within the Science and Technology Directorate's Centers of Excellence initiative. That initiative is funding universities nationwide in an effort to engage the academic community in multidisciplinary research to improve homeland protection.

There are three other Centers of Excellence focusing on risk and economic analysis of terrorist events, food protection and protection against diseases arising from foreign animals.

Major partners within the University of Maryland's initiative