{"id":130606,"date":"2026-03-18T01:58:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T06:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=130606"},"modified":"2026-03-17T15:30:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T20:30:14","slug":"nus-national-strategic-research-institute-awarded-500-million-contract","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/03\/18\/nus-national-strategic-research-institute-awarded-500-million-contract\/","title":{"rendered":"NU’s NSRI awarded $500 million research contract"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska has received a $500 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract from U.S. Strategic Command to deliver innovative research and development solutions that keep U.S. forces safe and maintain America’s technological edge through rapid-response research capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this contract, NSRI also retains its designation from the U.S. Department of War as a University Affiliated Research Center, sponsored by USSTRATCOM and affiliated with NU. There are only 15 University Affiliated Research Centers in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While not a direct funding commitment, an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract establishes that an organization has demonstrated capability and has been vetted, enabling government agencies to rapidly issue funded task orders for specific research without lengthy procurement processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This IDIQ represents far more than a contracting mechanism \u2014 it’s a vote of confidence in the institute’s continued and future execution of critical research to meet national defense requirements,” said Maj. Gen., USAF (Ret.) Rick Evans, NSRI executive director. “With emerging threats such as electromagnetic warfare and engineered pathogens evolving at an unprecedented pace, the DOW is accelerating critical research from concept to capability. This award expands the opportunity for NSRI and the University of Nebraska to meet the demand signal of the Department with proven flexibility, innovation and speed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since it was established in 2012, the National Strategic Research Institute has delivered leading academic research and critical tools across two Department of War missions \u2014 strategic deterrence and countering weapons of mass destruction. Its research portfolio spans the threat spectrum and crosses multiple domains. The institute has provided research, technology, product and strategy development, training, exercises and subject matter expertise to more than 50 federal and state government sponsors, generating hundreds of products, many of which now are in the hands of defense operators and decision makers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Today\u2019s evolving national security threats mean we need mission-critical research solutions faster than ever,” said U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. “I couldn\u2019t be more proud of world-class expertise provided by University of Nebraska\u2019s NSRI, and I look forward to seeing how U.S. Strategic Command and federal agencies will utilize this trusted strategic research organization.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new contract, which consists of a five-year base period and a five-year option period, is the largest in the history of the University of Nebraska System, and the fourth indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract that the National Strategic Research Institute has received from USSTRATCOM \u2014 in addition to $84 million in 2012, $92 million in 2018 and $107 million in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recent initiatives funded by the previous contracts include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n