The DSCU mission is to improve the quality and professionalism of security cooperation through evidence-based research, analysis, and application of lessons learned.
DSCU is calling for one-page white paper submissions for funding on a rolling basis until 7 August 2024. Selected white papers will be invited to submit full technical proposals.
Topics of Interest include:
- what are effective strategies for using security cooperation as an instrument of statecraft to advance national defense and foreign policy priorities?
- what approaches work best to execute security cooperation strategies and achieve defense and foreign policy objectives?
- are existing security cooperation tools fit for purpose and sufficient for performing the task?
- cyber operations
- information and influence operations
- resistance movements and occupation
- proxy warfare
- strategic competition below the threshold of war
Grant awards are typically made at one of three levels:
Category A
- up to USD$800,00 per year for 12 or 24 months
- deliverable of major book-length report
- produce special long-term research studies that cannot be generated effectively by in-house DSCU researchers
Category B
- up to USD$50,000 per year for 12 or 18 months
- deliverable of scientific-quality manuscript submitted to a peer-review journal
- for IWC funded projects, provide policy-relevant policy-relevant empirical or theoretical advances in our understanding of irregular warfare and gray zone competition broadly conceived
Category C
- up to USD$25,000 over 12 months
- aimed at students/non-PhD researchers
- Projects in this category might contribute to individual student thesis or course requirements, or teams of two to four students might develop short-term research that answers current, relevant questions in the irregular warfare or security cooperation communities
Documentation
- Notice of Funding Opportunity: DSCU Research Grants – HQ003423NFOEASD17
- dscu-research-agenda
