Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation Homeland Security Awards

2011 Homeland Security Awards

The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, is now accepting Nominations for four 2011 $25,000 Homeland Security Awards to be presented by the Foundation and AgustaWestland North America, a Finmeccanica company, one of the largest helicopter manufacturers in the world.

The United States and the world have moved into a new era which necessitates tighter and more vigilant security in all areas. The Foundation and AgustaWestland are doing their part by awarding four $25,000 Homeland Security Awards to American individuals or companies who are making measurable and constructive contributions related to basic or advanced research in the area of homeland security which will result in significant and positive benefits to society.

The mission of the awards is to promote and encourage “cutting edge” innovation in the vast arena of homeland security, including but not limited to the detection, prevention, or response to threats to the United States. A $25,000 Homeland Security Award will be presented in each of the following four fields:

1) Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Chemical and Explosive Attacks - Including utilities (air, water, telephone), aviation, business vulnerabilities, sensors, and lack of situational awareness.

2) Border and Transportation Security - Airport security, trucks, rail, and containers authorization, certification and tracking.

3) Cyber Security and Information Sharing - Cyber security, vertical and horizontal (Federal, State and private) communications, ways to encourage information sharing, privacy issues, and criminal and terrorist watch lists.

4) Emergency Response to Natural and Man-made Disasters - Interoperability, emergency command centers, mobile devices (PDAs, cell phones, pagers, Internet.)

Nomination

This is a competition NOT a grant application.

The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation invites nominations for the Homeland Security Awards from the general public. Nominees must be United States citizens or companies. Nomination materials must consist of an official Nomination form available only online. The Nomination form describes the Nominee and the innovative work. If a Nominee is selected as a semifinalist, the Nominator will be asked to submit additional background material and three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the innovation.

All materials must be complied in a single package sent to the Foundation. Nominations are available at www.ccolumbusfoundationawards.org.

The deadline for Nominations Tuesday, June 14, 2011.

Selection Process
The Foundation's Board of Trustees selects the semifinalists from among the Homeland Security Awards nominations received. The semifinalists are sent for ranking to a national Evaluation Committee composed of prominent individuals representing diverse fields of human endeavor. The Foundation's Board and AgustaWestland ultimately select the Homeland Security Awards Columbus Scholars.
Evaluation Committee
Each year the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation is honored to have the assistance of distinguished individuals serving on the Homeland Security Award Evaluation Committee. Each year's committee is listed on the page linked to that specific year.
Award Ceremony
From 2003-2005 the Homeland Security Awards were presented in each of the four fields annually at a luncheon in conjunction with the Frank Annunzio Awards in October on Columbus Day in Washington , D.C. In 2006-2007, the Homeland Security Award was presented at a breakfast ceremony sponsored by The Hill, in September and October respectively in Washington, D.C. In 2008 and 2009, the Homeland Security Awards were presented at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The 2010 Homeland Security Awards will be presented at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on a date to be determined.

History of the Awards

From 2003-2005 Homeland Security Awards were presented in each of four fields: 1) Biological, Radiological, Nuclear - including utilities, (air, water, telephone), aviation, business vulnerabilities, sensors, and lack of situational awareness: 2) Border/Transportation Security - Airport security, trucks, rail and containers authorization, certification and tracking; 3) Emergency Response - Interoperability, emergency command centers, mobile devices (PDAs, cell phones, pagers, Internet); 4) Information Sharing - Cyber security, vertical and horizontal (Federal, State and private) communications, ways to encourage information sharing, privacy issues, and criminal and terrorist watch lists.

In 2008 and 2009, the Foundation partnered with AgustaWestland North America, Inc., one of the world's largest helicopter manufacturers, to present one $25,000 award. Nominations were characterized in five fields: Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Chemical and Explosive Attacks; Border and Transportation Security; Cyber Security and Information Sharing; Emergency Response to Natural and Man-Made Disasters; and Other.