Building on years of growing engagement and collaboration with the defense, homeland security and intelligence communities, Purdue University is creating the Purdue Institute for National Security, a new interdisciplinary institute purposely structured to attract worldwide talent, advance national security and grow the defense ecosystem at and around the West Lafayette campus.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on Oct. 7, the institute is the latest component of Purdue’s Next Moves, a series of initiatives and a corresponding five-year investment launched in April 2021 that will ensure Purdue remains amongst the world’s top research and teaching universities.
“At Purdue, we see supporting the national security of our nation as central to a public university’s duties,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said. “The dramatic expansion of defense research is a source of pride and a fitting extension of Purdue’s historic contributions in this area.”
The institute will provide strategic access to Purdue’s full spectrum of national security and defense research capabilities, talent and world-renowned facilities. This will enhance Purdue’s visibility and streamline engagements with key stakeholders. Its initial purview will include the topical areas of hypersonic and space systems, energetic materials, and secure microelectronics. All are considered top-priority technologies for the United States and necessary to broaden its advanced defense capabilities and ensure its economic security.