CBTS Summer Research Institute

A paid, hands-on opportunity in research for solutions to DHS mission needs

The Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense, CBTS, Summer Research Institute is a 10-week paid internship program for promising junior and senior undergraduate majors in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Institute is an opportunity to develop hands-on technical skills and conduct research to support missions of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, DHS. The program allows participants to focus their research activities on one of two areas, biothreat defense or cybersecurity. Activities for each focus area will take place in-person at a primary location, with travel to a secondary location, and field trips.

Two research focus areas

The CBTS Summer Research Institute allows participants to focus their time on one of two research areas, biothreat defense or cyber security. Each focus area offers the benefits and experiences outlined above. Choose one of the options below to learn more about each focus area and apply.

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Program activities

In addition to hands-on work in the laboratory, students will participate in weekly meetings about undergraduate topics of interest. The meetings will welcome guest speakers to present on different research topics and job opportunities in their fields. They will provide lessons on how to read research papers, how to conduct responsible and ethical research, how to competitively apply to graduate school, and how to improve scientific communication skills such as giving “elevator” or “back of the envelope” pitches about research. 

The program will include:

• Ten weeks of hands-on research with a faculty mentor
• Laboratory meetings and check-ins
• Guest lectures 
• Stakeholder engagements
• Final research presentations and papers

Program purpose

The CBTS Summer Research Institute in biothreat defense supports the White House National Security Memorandum-15, NSM-15, the National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan for Countering Biological Threats, Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness, and Achieving Global Health Security. The memorandum outlines objectives for countering the spectrum of biological threats.  The DHS response to NSM-15, discusses mitigation to reduce pathogen spillover. The goal for the CBTS Summer Research Institute in biothreat defense is to host two faculty members and up to six students in its first year. 

The CBTS Summer Research Institute in Cybersecurity supports the goals of the May 2022  Executive Order 14028, “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity”  and the objectives of the DHS Cybersecurity and Information Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Talent Management System. The goal for the CBTS Summer Research Institute in Cybersecurity is to host two faculty members and up to eight students in its first year.

Questions?

Click the button below to send us an email inquiry about the CBTS Summer Research Institute.