The Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) aims to enhance the quality and professionalism of security cooperation through evidence-based research, analysis, and the application of lessons learned. It focuses on sponsoring and concluding research projects that substantively align with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Learning and Evaluation Agenda for Partnerships framework and the DSCU Research Agenda, in collaboration with researchers, educational institutions, and policy-centered research organizations.
The grant program focuses on supporting evidence-building activities that contribute to the knowledge base on security cooperation, aiming to produce research that yields actionable lessons for the practice of security cooperation. This follows the broader goals of developing allied and partner security capabilities and capacity, providing the Armed Forces of the United States with peacetime or contingency operation access, and building relationships that advance U.S. security interests. Applicants are required to submit white papers on a rolling basis, subject to categorization based on the expected award date, to pre-determine the effort's merit before inviting a full technical application submission.