Researchers across four universities will collaborate to investigate technical challenges in software supply chain security and help build a diverse workforce for the software industry.

North Carolina State University (NC State) is the lead institution on a $9 million, multi-institution National Science Foundation grant, which will establish the Secure Software Supply Chain Center (S3C2), bringing together researchers, industry partners and government agencies to develop scientific tools, metrics, data formats and methods to reduce risks with software. Other university partners include Carnegie Mellon University, The George Washington University and the University of Maryland College Park.

Through education, outreach and training, the project will also foster a diverse workforce of technical leaders and practitioners capable of problem-solving in software supply chain models. Summer programs and course modules will prepare current and future technical leaders and practitioners to build more secure software.