The Homeland Security Act of 2002 granted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority to create university-based Centers of Excellence (COEs). The centers are authorized by Congress and chosen by the DHS' Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) through a competitive selection process.

"The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, shall designate a university-based center or several university-based centers for homeland security. The purpose of the center or these centers shall be to establish a coordinated, university-based system to enhance the Nation's homeland security." – as amended  

The COEs bring together leading experts and researchers to conduct multidisciplinary research and education for homeland security solutions. Each Center is led by a university in collaboration with partners from other institutions, agencies, laboratories, think tanks, and the private sector.

These Centers are directly aligned with the DHS S&T’s six divisions creating linkages between DHS and other customers as well as providing enduring cross-cutting technology and basic research needs for DHS and the Nation.