Colorado Homeland Defense Alliance Announces National Security Innovation Competition 2011

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, December 30, 2010 (Press-News.org) The fifth annual National Security Innovation Competition (NSIC) is making a call for academic research papers and interested sponsors, according to organizers for the 2011 event.

The Colorado Homeland Defense Alliance (CHDA) and the Colorado Springs Technology Incubator will host the competition on April 29, 2011 at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Scholarship prizes are awarded to the top three finalists selected from a national level set of judges. More than $35,000 dollars have been awarded with the most ever dollars planned for the 2011 competition.

"The Competition draws the best and brightest US and Canadian undergraduate and graduate level students conducting national and homeland security-related research," said Mark Volcheff, CHDA Executive Director.

January 26, 2011 is the deadline for students to complete an application to compete. The application is simple to complete and is located at the CHDA website. Students that are interested in competing should consult the CHDA website at http://www.coloradohda.org or contact the competition program director, Dr. Ronald Scott at 719.685.7877, ext 112.

"The purpose of the competition is to stimulate college undergraduate and graduate student interest to address national security problem solving by exposing their university-sponsored projects to a broad audience including industry, academic, and government organizations involved in aerospace, defense, security, and first responder activities," Scott said.

All submissions will be included in post-event Proceedings and circulated among federally funded research centers, industry, and government offices. "This is really a unique offering and we hope that it will attract more competitors," Scott said.

There is still time for interested companies to partner or sponsor the competition. "Now is an important time to recognize science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent within our universities and colleges," Volcheff said. "We have some great sponsors but are always looking for more companies or agencies who are just now hearing about this prestigious event and want to participate."

For more information about sponsorship contact CHDA at 719-685-7877. 
Fax: 719-685-7878. 
Email: info@coloradohda.org

Past year winners include the University of Ottawa, the University of Connecticut, Arizona State University, U.S. Air Force Academy, University of Notre Dame and Colorado School of Mines.

Dozens of universities and colleges across the United States and Canada have participated in past years including Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Buffalo, University of Arizona, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, University of Denver, Penn State, University of Alabama, University of Washington, Colorado State University and Virginia Tech. "We expect the number of universities to continue to increase due to the value that this activity brings to students, professors and the schools," Volcheff said.

The competition involves two rounds. The first round involves a peer-review of white papers. The review then leads to the selections of up to 10 teams for oral presentations to a panel of national level judges on April 29.

"These judges represent chief scientists or technologists," said Scott.

Traditionally, judges represent the Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology, the Defense Department's Deputy Director for Research and Engineering, the National Laboratories, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United Stated Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) "We also invite a Fortune 50 defense and security company to judge," Volcheff said.

"Representatives from venture capital firms will also observe and be available for start-up company discussions," Scott said.

Topics can cover the full scope of national security. Previous entrants have introduced innovations in biometrics, UAVs, cyber security, infrastructure security, border security and first responder support systems.

About CHDA: Considered unique with strategic potential, the CHDA, as a nonprofit, is positioned to serve as a powerful engine for innovation by serving as a nexus among academia, the government, and industry. "The Alliance continues to build a strong network of forward thinking individuals committed to advancing security and prosperity in a world growing increasingly complex," said Volcheff. Visit http://www.coloradohda.org for more information.

For more information about the annual National Security Innovation Competition visit http://www.coloradohda.org

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