Auburn University awarded $24M in largest canine detection research grant in Auburn history

Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine has recently been awarded a five-year, $24 million contract by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). Read more on how this grant will further advance detection canine research.

Largest research grant in Auburn history

Auburn has received its single largest research contract award. Allotted by the US Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, this grant will allow Auburn to expand its canine detection research.

This award is impressive because Auburn will become the primary academic resource for DHS S&T’s research on canine sciences. Other academic institutions and national laboratories will be involved, but Auburn is essentially becoming the information and research hub.

You can expect Auburn researchers to improve upon the best practices for training and breeding detection canines.

Why Auburn?

For over 30 years, Auburn’s Canine Performance Sciences (CPS) program has been internationally recognized as a leader in detection canine research. They spend their studies developing the dogs’ olfactory abilities to detect anything from disease to drugs.

Their expertise was a key factor in DHS S&T’s decision to collaborate.

“Auburn has long been recognized for its world-class detection canine sciences research, and this funding from the Department of Homeland Security will allow significant enhancement and expansion of this critically important work.”

James Weyhenmeyer, vice president, Auburn Research and Economic Development

Canine detection research

Since canines are useful tools for countering security threats, detector dogs have been widely deployed to various military and municipal organizations.

Because the dogs are so useful, there has been a high demand for government and academic collaboration to advance canine detection research.

In response to this demand, Auburn University created Detection Canine Science, Innovation, Technology and Education Program (DCSITE). According to College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Calvin Johnson, these are some of the science-based and science-driven goals they’ll develop:

• Analytical chemistry
• Genetics and genomics
• Reproduction
• Veterinary
• Sports medicine
• Olfactory neuroscience
• Behavior and cognition
• Metrology
• Engineering to advance detection canine sciences

We’re excited to see the world-class College of Veterinary Medicine develop this research that will benefit so many people and institutions.

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