Military funding boosts centre of excellence

New funding from DND will help establish scholarships and internships for candidates pursuing a host of graduate studies in security and defence issues

By Derek Sankey

When it comes to security and defence matters, the University of Calgary’s Centre for Military and Strategic Studies has proven it can go head-to-head with the best in the world.

The latest vote of confidence for CMSS comes in the form of another round of funding from the Canadian government’s Department of National Defence, to the tune of $780,000 over the next five years.

“It means we’ve got more resources to build a truly world-class, internationally-recognized centre here in Calgary,” said Dr. David Bercuson, the centre’s director.

Provided by the DND’s Security and Defence Forum (SDF), this latest award represents an increase of $20,000 per year, and is the maximum eligible amount handed out.

Aaron Hywarren, director of public policy and manager of the SDF at National Defence headquarters, said the funding acknowledges the tremendous efforts of those working at the CMSS.

“Calgary is a vibrant member of the SDF community, ” says Hywarren.

The Security and Defence Forum is a $2.5 million program to encourage scholarship, research, publications and outreach on security and defence issues. CMSS will receive $140,000 annually and is eligible to receive up to $11,000 per year for graduate students to present at international conferences. An additional $5,000 may be awarded to attend conferences domestically.

The centre got a major boost two years ago when it received two major donations of $1 million each from the private sector—one from an anonymous donor and the other from the Arthur J. Child Foundation. The U of C provides CMSS with $230,000 annually.

The new funding will help establish scholarships and internships for candidates pursuing master’s, doctoral and post-doctoral studies in security and defence-related issues. It will also be used to support research and publications on security and defence management topics.

“ We’re very well-situated for the next five years,” says Bercuson. Among the centre’s plans are a joint archival project with the U of C and the Museum of the Regiments, as well as more money for student activities and to expand research.