National Security 
Research Institute

National security encompasses the systems and technologies that keep communities across Minnesota and our nation safe, economies stable, and societies resilient. Across the globe, rapid advances in technology, data, and global connectivity are transforming the way we live and work. These advances also introduce new risks, from cyber threats to supply chain vulnerabilities, pandemics, and climate-related disruptions.

These are human challenges, much like curing cancer or addressing hunger and clean water. Meeting those challenges requires great people, great policy and great technology working together. Public research universities like the University of Minnesota play a critical role in creating the knowledge, innovation and the workforce needed to respond effectively and ethically across the interconnected domains of national security—food security, water security, cyber security, environmental security, and health security, among others.

Through cutting-edge research across these domains, universities are advancing research discovery solutions that safeguard societies while simultaneously fueling economic growth. For example, innovations in resilient agriculture not only enhance food security but also create new agritech industries and sustainable jobs. Water security research drives advancements in purification, distribution, and conservation technologies, strengthening communities and opening global markets. Cyber security research powers new ventures in digital trust, data protection, and artificial intelligence—industries at the forefront of the global economy. Similarly, breakthroughs in environmental and health security shape greener industries, strengthen public health systems, and reduce long-term costs for governments and residents alike.
 

NSRI is a research hub that connects University of Minnesota faculty, researchers, students, and partners to tackle complex basic science questions in various fields including data science & AI, geospatial imaging, microelectronics, hypersonics, material science and medicine. These topics have broad civilian benefits addressing infrastructure resilience, health, food, energy and water security.
 

Discussions surrounding the establishment of an institute that would advance the University of Minnesota’s presence in the national security research space began in earnest in June 2023. There was positive feedback from a range of faculty who felt that it was important for the University to play a role in securing our nation’s future. (NSI Task Force Report from 2023)

The University has nationally recognized expertise and unique infrastructure and resources in place to make a profound impact on national security related scientific challenges, which extend far beyond defense applications. These include, but are not limited to: the nation’s food supply, energy, water resources, climate change, public health, cyber security, and civil, environmental and commercial infrastructure.

December 2024 Board of Regents presentation (watch)

Initial areas of emphasis are data science and artificial intelligence/cybersecurity, geospatial imaging and sensing technologies, microelectronics and advanced manufacturing, hypersonics, advanced materials for extreme environments, medical solutions and bio-innovation.

These research areas were identified based on the University’s existing expertise and federal and industry priorities, and they are expected to evolve as new needs and opportunities emerge.

A goal of NSRI is to expand the University’s portfolio of basic science research that is relevant to national security. The focus on basic research aligns with the University’s goals of “systematic study directed toward greater knowledge and understanding of fundamental aspects of phenomena and observable facts, without specific applications in mind.” This includes scientific study and experimentation aimed at increasing fundamental knowledge in fields related to long-term national security needs. These basic research efforts focus on discovery and knowledge building rather than delivering specific products or systems.

Some good examples of basic research can be found in Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) solicitations (FY2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity):

Example Topic: Energy and Information Processing in Biological Organisms

Example Topic: Principles of Non-reciprocal Quantum Materials and Tunable Superconducting Diodes

Example Topic: Electro-momentum Coupled Piezoelectric Metamaterials for Tunable Acoustic Detection

Example Topic: Turbulent Flow over Soft Fouling & Compliant Surfaces

Example Topic: Fundamental Limits of Distributed Entangled Quantum Sensing

All NSRI research is subject to the University of Minnesota’s rigorous oversight and review processes to ensure compliance with University policies and federal regulations. This is done for all the projects that are conducted at University. We aim to safeguard openness in research while protecting sensitive information where required by the federal laws and sponsor requirements.

NSRI strengthens Minnesota’s economy by attracting federal investment, creating industry partnerships across Minnesota, the nation and world, growing new industry and supporting workforce development. It’s one way that University of Minnesota research contributes directly to solving critical problems that affect people everywhere. It will help in retaining our talented workforce within Minnesota.

Many leading research universities, such as the University of Illinois, Purdue, Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins, Howard, University of Texas at Austin, Vanderbilt, University of Virginia, Penn State, University of Nebraska, UC Santa Barbara, University of Maryland, Virginia Tech, University of Alaska, University of Washington, MIT, and University of Southern California, have operated national security or defense-oriented research centers for decades. Several of these peer institutions are also public, land-grant universities. These institutes help faculty pursue federal funding, expand opportunities for students and trainees, and build partnerships with industry and government. This research has led to some outstanding publications and student theses that are fundamental to the progress of society.

The University of Minnesota’s NSRI is part of this longstanding national effort to serve the country by advancing science, security, resilience, and innovation. By creating NSRI, the University is leveraging our expertise and unique regional strengths to support the nation’s scientific needs, from protecting critical infrastructure, to developing tools with the potential to serve service members, veterans, and rural patients here at home. Collectively, these efforts help ensure a more secure and innovative future for all.

While funding opportunities are important, they are not the goal. They are simply the means by which University of Minnesota faculty, researchers and students contribute meaningfully to the national mission of scientific progress, safety, prosperity and global competitiveness.