The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has awarded a $1.86 million grant to Cornell University's Peace Studies Program to provide additional research and training in science and security studies.

The grant is part of nearly $8 million awarded to Cornell, Carnegie Mellon and Princeton universities and the Georgia Institute of Technology to increase the number of faculty positions and researchers working on projects where science and security policy meet. These grants are a part of the foundation's $50 million Science, Technology and Security Initiative.

This effort aims to expand the pool of independent experts in the United States and internationally who can provide objective technical analysis of international security issues. The grant "will increase Cornell's traditional strength in the training of natural scientists to take on advisory roles in international security issues," said G. Peter Lepage, dean of Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences.

A major goal of MacArthur's grant-making in international peace and security is to reduce the dangers posed by nuclear and biological weapons. To do this, the foundation supports policy research and engagement, strengthening independent scientific and technical advice on security policy, and developing new approaches in cooperative security.

"The number of specialists providing independent analysis of nuclear and biological weapons dangers falls far short of the international community's needs, especially as the threat of terrorism has grown," said Jonathan F. Fanton, president of the MacArthur Foundation. "The diffusion of nuclear weapons material and expertise, and the emerging dangers from biotechnology and cyberspace pose new and profound threats to international peace and security."

The grant to Cornell will support graduate fellowships, postdoctoral researchers and a senior research associate position. The researchers will study security issues relating to missile defense, weapons in space and biological weapons. "We aim to create an enduring capacity for the training of future generations of scientists who can contribute to the public discussions of technically related security issues," said Judith Reppy, acting director of the Peace Studies Program.