As a way to harness the greater science and technology
community in support of its mission, the Department of
Homeland Security has opted to fund 66 businesses from 23
states through its Small Business Innovation Research program.
Businesses get around $100,000 to define the scientific,
technical and commercial merit of particular concepts
during a six month period, and if successful, will move on
to phase-II awards for $750,000 over two years to take the
concept to a prototype stage, said DHS.