Wisconsin Security Research Consortium | UW–Madison 5th in national research ranking, surpasses $1.93B in research expenditures

UW–Madison 5th in national research ranking, surpasses $1.93B in research expenditures

WSRC Admin — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 20:09:29 +0000

Driven by a 29.4 percent increase in Department of Defense expenditures, University of Wisconsin–Madison now ranks 5th in the United States for its university research expenditures, its highest ranking since 2014.

UW-Madison wants to conduct more research with the Department of Defense

WSRC Admin — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:00:55 +0000

By Sabine Martin
Wisconsin State Journal

As the pot of federal funding for research at universities and colleges continues to shrink, UW-Madison’s campus leaders are positioning the university to grow its work with the Department of Defense.

That doesn’t mean UW-Madison researchers will be at the forefront of developing new bombs, said Vice Chancellor for Research Dorota Grejner-Brzezińska.

“Looking at the capabilities that this university has versus DOD needs is just to me a complete no-brainer how we really should be more competitive and start working with them,” she said.

Grejner-Brzezińska says UW-Madison would be part of “dual-use” defense research — some of which is already happening on campus.

A team from UW-Madison’s College of Engineering leads a project for the Department of Defense studying the prevention and detection of traumatic brain injuries. Other research, with a $11 million defense grant, studies a lung disease that’s a leading cause of death.

“We need more presence,” Grejner-Brzezińska said. “When we are not at the table, we are on the menu.”

UW-Madison’s shift for more Department of Defense funding comes amid uncertainty and federal cuts to research at universities and colleges across the country.

While federal research agencies, like the National Science Foundation, have terminated millions in research grants under the Trump administration, defense funding has survived widely unscathed.

Nearly half of UW-Madison’s $1.7 billion in research spending comes from federal awards from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

UW-Madison in 2023-24 had the largest defense research funding haul in over a decade at $67.4 million.

But Grejner-Brzezińska, who just marked at year at UW-Madison, thinks it should be larger.

“I don’t want to create an impression that next year we’re going to present $100 million in DOD funding,” Grejner-Brzezińska said. “It’s going to be two, three years at least as we build relationships and as our faculty learn how to speak DOD.”

Grejner-Brzezińska during her more than two-decade scientific career was fully sponsored with defense funding, she said.

“I was able to afford 12 Ph.D. students at the time, two research scientists and a couple of post docs because once you establish a relationship and start delivering, DOD will come back and ask you again to solve the problem,” she said.

Strategic hires

Working with the Department of Defense to secure more research involvement for UW-Madison is “extremely relationship based,” Grejner-Brzezińska said.

A delegation from U.S. Cyber Command visited UW-Madison to tour labs and meet researchers on campus studying cybersecurity areas like quantum computing and cryptography.

Those connections with the U.S. Cyber Command brought a group of UW-Madison researchers to attend a White House briefing on quantum defense research, Grejner-Brzezińska said.

“The next meeting that is going to happen will have to be at the classified level,” Grejner-Brzezińska said.

UW-Madison also made two recent hires to help lead the defense effort.

The university in August named Dave Schroeder to be UW-Madison’s first director of national security initiatives to build federal relationships and identify national security research opportunities.

Elizabeth Hill in August also joined UW-Madison as its director of federal relations for research. Based on D.C., Hill represents the university in conversations with federal lawmakers and agencies.

Grejner-Brzezińska said she and Schroeder have obtained the highest level of security clearance to have conversations about classified information.

UW-Madison has also hired D.C. lobbying firm Lewis-Burke Associates to teach faculty about pitching research and getting connected with Department of Defense officials.

“We need to, as I always say, give faculty new tools in their toolboxes because it’s a different type of an agency to develop relationships,” Grejner-Brzezińska said.

Original article

UW fostering closer research ties with federal defense, cybersecurity agencies

WSRC Admin — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:00:34 +0000

“The strategic growth of UW–Madison’s DoD portfolio will strengthen our standing as a world-class university that trains tomorrow’s leaders and solves today’s problems.”

Dave Schroeder named UW–Madison’s Director of National Security Initiatives

WSRC Admin — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 17:00:54 +0000

Dave Schroeder has been named UW–Madison’s Director of National Security Initiatives, continuing more than 30 years of service to UW–Madison.

UW–Madison hosts DHS Corporate Security Symposium

WSRC Admin — Sat, 09 Aug 2025 16:10:01 +0000

The University of Wisconsin–Madison and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Private Sector Engagement, hosted the Madison Corporate Security Symposium (CSS) on August 7, bringing together more than 150 security professionals from across Wisconsin’s public and private sectors.

Held at the Fluno Center for Executive Education, the event underscored the critical role that partnerships between academia, industry, government, and non-profits play in protecting communities, infrastructure, and our economy. Attendees engaged with experts on topics spanning cybersecurity, physical security, critical infrastructure protection, quantum threats, artificial intelligence, and more.

A Full Day of Insight and Collaboration

Robert Medina, Division Executive Officer, Central Region, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Craig Thompson, Vice Chancellor for University Relations at UW–Madison, opened the event and set the tone for the day with one clear theme: the power of partnerships.

The symposium featured a threat briefing by Madison-based DHS Senior Intelligence Officer Robert Kelley, followed by a series of panels and presentations from leaders in cybersecurity, emergency management, law enforcement, and private industry.

Notable sessions included:

Cyber Threats Mitigation and Response — Featuring the FBI Milwaukee Cyber Division, Promega, and Rockwell Automation, moderated by Dr. Eric Franco of Wisconsin Emergency Management
Emerging Threats: Quantum Attacks — Led by UW–Madison Computer Sciences Professor Rishab Goyal and KPMG’s Dr. Aaron Kemp.
Critical Infrastructure Protection — Presented by CISA’s David Melby and American Family Insurance’s Becki Slater.
The Power of Collaboration: Intelligence and Information Sharing — Highlighting partnerships between the FBI, Wisconsin Statewide Intelligence Center, Madison Gas and Electric, and Northwestern Mutual.
Special Topic Briefings
- Insider threats with UW–Madison lecturer and retired FBI Special Agent Josh Mayers
- Pandemic-cybersecurity connections with WSRC Advisor and CALS Professor Molly Jahn and Rock County’s Patrick Singer
- AI-related security risks with Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Kassem Fawaz

A Wisconsin-Centered Security Network

The Madison CSS brought together representatives from organizations such as Madison Gas and Electric, Northwestern Mutual, American Family Insurance, Rockwell Automation, the County of Rock, Promega, KPMG, Wisconsin Emergency Management, CISA, the FBI, multiple UW–Madison colleges and research centers, and other universities in Wisconsin.

WSRC Research Director Dave Schroeder emphasized the importance of cross-sector relationships in today’s security environment. “The security challenges we face today demand coordinated action. When academia, government, and industry come together, we break down silos, share expertise, and strengthen the capabilities needed to protect our communities, state, and nation.”

The symposium also underscored the historic role of academic institutions and in advancing national security — a tradition and legacy stretching back to World War II. By fostering an environment for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration, events like the Madison CSS position Wisconsin as a leader in addressing complex and emerging security challenges.

About the Wisconsin Security Research Consortium

The Wisconsin Security Research Consortium (WSRC) enhances Wisconsin’s position to attract and retain research and development grants from federal government agencies for the purpose of conducting sensitive academic and business research and related development work. This research contributes to the health, safety, and security of the people of Wisconsin and the citizens of the United States, regardless of where they live.

WSRC facilitates R&D projects involving academic research institutions and companies in Wisconsin in concert with the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other federal agencies. WSRC works with Wisconsin companies and academic institutions to secure federal and research dollars.

UW-Madison computer science prepares to relocate, meet ‘AI moment’

WSRC Admin — Thu, 22 May 2025 20:25:56 +0000

WSRC advisor Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau talks with The Capital Times about how UW-Madison CDIS is rising to meet the “AI Moment”, establishing the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a global leader in this domain, which extends far beyond computing.

Protecting against cyberattacks

WSRC Admin — Wed, 14 May 2025 20:17:35 +0000

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is taking its cyber leadership to the next level by creating new partnerships with industry and government throughout Wisconsin and the country. Learn about our efforts in the special Fueling Discovery series in the Wisconsin State Journal.

UW-Madison research is $1.7B operation ready to grow

WSRC Admin — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 21:43:44 +0000

Dorota Grejner-Brzezińska, UW–Madison’s Vice Chancellor for Research, sees big opportunities for DOD research, and talks about UW’s designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research, and engagement with U.S. Cyber Command. Read the full story in the Cap Times.

Michael T. Ertmer, 1970–2024

WSRC Admin — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:27:34 +0000

We are saddened to share news of the passing of our friend and Special Advisor, Michael Ertmer. He leaves us with memories and his passion for national security innovation and entrepreneurship in Wisconsin.

Michael T. Ertmer
May 21, 1970 — December 12, 2024
Green Lake

Michael T. (Mike) Ertmer of Green Lake passed away on December 12, 2024 at the age of 54. Mike was born to the late John and Mary (Hennessey) Ertmer in LaCrosse on May 21, 1970.

Mike graduated from Onalaska High School in 1988, where he played on the golf team among many activities. He graduated from Marquette University in 1992 and participated in Army ROTC, and was then commissioned into the US Army where he served for 10 years and retired as a Captain.

Mike traveled extensively & enjoyed playing golf and watching & rooting for all of the Wisconsin pro teams as well as Marquette basketball.

Mike is survived by his brother Timothy (Jodi) Ertmer, uncle Jim Ertmer, aunts Sue Ertmer and Rita Stadler, nephew Samuel Ertmer as well as numerous cousins.

A Mass of Christian burial will take place at noon on Monday, December 23, 2024 at St. Jude Parish-St. Vincent Site, 1225 Oregon Street, Oshkosh, with Fr. Louis Golamari officiating. Visitation will take place from 11 until time of service. Full military honors will take place after service. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in the late spring or early summer.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael T. Ertmer, please visit our flower store.

How might pulsed microwaves harm the brain? New ONR research at UW-Madison leads the search for answers

WSRC Admin — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 17:13:45 +0000

An interdisciplinary, multi-institutional research initiative led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison will be the first program in the world to comprehensively investigate how pulsed microwaves might injure the brain.