The U.S. Department of Homeland Security may seek security solutions in blockchain technology

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is looking into blockchain technology through the Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, CoinDesk reported.

The U.S. Cabinet department is currently accepting research proposals from small businesses on 13 topics, including "Blockchain Use in Identity Management" and "Blockchain Use in Homeland Security Analysis."

SBIR is designed to encourage small businesses in the United States to assist federal research. The project is divided into three phases. The first step is to evaluate the merits of the technology and whether the submitted proposals are feasible.

雷金纳德•布拉泽斯, deputy secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, said in a statement:

“It’s important that we cast a wide net to find highly innovative solutions to the challenges we face in protecting our homeland. We know that America’s small businesses are the engines of innovation with a wealth of creativity in solving a wide range of problems, so we hope to draw inspiration from them.”

Proposals that pass Phase 1 will have six months of trial eligibility and will receive a $100,000 award, and proposals that pass Phase 1 and are accepted into Phase 2 will have 24 months of trial eligibility and up to $750,000 in awards.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, "Phase III is a process where proposals previously funded by SBIR continue to be developed, but with additional funding from other investors in addition to the SBIR funding."

In addition, the Department of Homeland Security is planning 10 research projects, including malware research to prevent cyberattacks and real-time data analysis in the field of emergency medical services.

Proposals must be submitted to the DHS SBIR by 2 p.m. ET on January 20, 2016.

Original article: http://www.coindesk.com/department-of-homeland-security-calls-for-blockchain-research/
By Pete Rizzo
Translator: printemps
Editor: printemps
Source (translation): Babbitt Information (http://www.8btc.com/dhs-blockchain)