Princeton University
Project Title
For core support of the Science and Global Security Program
Date
Dec. 11, 2025
Duration
24 months
Description
The global landscape of nuclear dangers is rapidly shifting, driven by accelerating technological advances, emerging security rivalries, and the erosion of long-standing arms control agreements. Scientific and technical research is critically necessary to analyze these developments, assess and guide the policies states propose in response, and design new approaches to monitor nuclear activities and verify potential future arms control and disarmament agreements. In tandem, education and training are essential to ensure there is a next generation of nuclear scientists and scholars equipped to address these challenges. With renewed funding, Princeton’s Program on Science and Global Security (SGS) will continue research to develop practical policy options and expand its training of emerging experts on technical areas including verification of arms control agreements, nuclear weapon effects, and the nuclear security implications of space-based technologies.
Project Title
For one time funding for a project to evaluate the capabilities of key emerging technologies for the future of nuclear deterrence dynamics as part of a Request for Proposals on "Emerging Technologies and Nuclear Weapon Risks"
Date
Sep. 11, 2025
Duration
24 months
Description
Rapidly advancing emerging and disruptive technologies (EDTs) have serious implications for nuclear security. New space-based sensors, artificial intelligence, quantum detectors, and advanced missile defense systems could make nuclear weapons more visible, vulnerable, or easier to target. This could push nuclear-armed states toward more aggressive nuclear postures and increase the risk of nuclear escalation and conflict. To address these dangers, the Program on Science & Global Security at Princeton University will conduct an independent assessment of how these technologies may impact the survivability of nuclear forces. The project will analyze the technical capabilities and limitations of EDTs related to nuclear stability, explore how current destabilizing nuclear dynamics may be exacerbated by EDTs, and identify policy options for reducing future nuclear dangers.
Project Title
For core support of the Science and Global Security Program
Date
Jun. 06, 2024
Duration
24 months
Description
The unraveling of U.S.-Russian nuclear arms control and China’s nuclear buildup have set the stage for unrestricted nuclear modernization, increased proliferation threats, and heightened instability. Scientific and technical research is critically necessary to analyze these issues, examine the policies states propose in response, and develop new mechanisms for assessing nuclear developments and verifying arms control agreements. In tandem, education and training are necessary to ensure there is a next generation of nuclear scientists and scholars to address these issues. With renewed funding, Princeton’s Program on Science and Global Security (SGS) will continue research and training activities with the aim of identifying policy options and educating emerging scholars on such technical aspects of nuclear weapons as arms control verification, the effects of nuclear weapons, and space-based capabilities.
Project Title
For improving diversity in the study of nuclear security
Date
Sep. 15, 2022
Duration
36 months
Description
Calls for greater diversity resonate across the sectors of American society, including in the field of nuclear security. Addressing this challenge requires strengthening the pipeline of individuals entering the field as practitioners and creating opportunities for diversifying tenure-track scholars in academia. With these goals, a project at Princeton University’s program on Science and Global Security will recruit, mentor, and train a research assistant from a diverse background aiming for admission to competitive PhD programs or policy-relevant careers in the field of nuclear security. Corporation support will enable the university to host a research assistant through the provision of a fellowship.
Project Title
For reducing nuclear risks through research, policy analysis, training, and engagement
Date
Dec. 02, 2021
Duration
30 months
Description
Technical expertise on nuclear weapons and materials is essential for preventing nuclear weapons use and proliferation. The Program on Science and Global Security (PSGS) at Princeton University is home to some of the leading independent analysts on nuclear security issues. With Corporation support, the program will continue to train doctoral students and conduct rigorous policy-relevant research on verification, proliferation, force posture, and ballistic missile defense. PSGS also serves as the secretariat of the International Panel on Fissile Materials, a coalition of global experts that analyzes the technical basis for efforts to secure, consolidate, and reduce stockpiles of highly enriched uranium and plutonium.
Project Title
For engaging and activating the U.S. physics community in nuclear threat reduction
Date
Mar. 05, 2020
Duration
42 months
Description
Physicists have long played a special role in nuclear threat reduction but are less engaged with these issues today. In partnership with the American Physical Society, Princeton University seeks to reconnect with physics communities across the country about the threat posed by nuclear weapons. The joint effort will entail a variety of activities, including lectures, discussions, and workshopsdesigned to highlight risks and identify practical threat-reduction measures. This effort will also generate outreach materials to further increase awareness among physicists and concerned citizens about nuclear threats, and the steps that can be taken to mitigate them.
Project Title
For reducing nuclear risks through research, policy engagement, and training
Date
Dec. 05, 2019
Duration
24 months
Description
Technical expertise on nuclear weapons and materials is essential for preventing nuclear weapons use and proliferation. The Program on Science and Global Security (PSGS) at Princeton University is home to some of the leading independent analysts on nuclear security issues. With Corporation support, the program will continue to train doctoral students and conduct rigorous policy-relevant research on verification, proliferation, force posture, and ballistic missile defense. PSGS also serves as the secretariat of the International Panel on Fissile Materials, a coalition of global experts that analyzes the technical basis for efforts to secure, consolidate, and reduce stockpiles of highly enriched uranium and plutonium.
Project Title
For research, policy engagement, and training to reduce nuclear risks
Date
Dec. 07, 2017
Duration
24 months
Description
The Princeton Program on Science and Global Security (PSGS) is home to some of the leading independent technical analysts working on nuclear security issues. They have provided advice to policymakers on a range of issues, from managing fissile material to nuclear modernization to the Iran deal. With Corporation support, PSGS will continue its policy research and its training for doctoral and masters students. Their work over the next two years will focus on force posture and war plans, nuclear verification, ballistic missile defense, and the intersection between nuclear energy and proliferation risk. PSGS also serves as the secretariat of the International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM), and coalition of experts from around the world that analyzes “the technical basis for practical and achievable policy initiatives to secure, consolidate, and reduce stockpiles of highly enriched uranium and plutonium.”
Project Title
As a final grant for core support to the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination
Date
Sep. 08, 2016
Duration
75 months
Description
The Corporation has been supporting Princeton University’s Lichtenstein Institute on Self-Determination (LISD) since the early 2000s for its work addressing. A number of substantive issues of concern to the International Peace and Security Program (IPS). Under the direction of Princeton’s Wolfgang Danspeckgruber, LISD’s Track II dialogues have attracted key policymakers, during, before, and after their assumption of high-ranking positions. In addition to his high-level contacts in Lichtenstein, Danspeckgruber has developed especially strong ties with the Austrian and German foreign ministries, as well as with the UN, the Vatican, the Syrian Orthodox Church, and a global network of some of the world’s most accomplished academics. A major part of LISD’s work has involved Princeton students, several of whom have gone on to important official positions and continue to participate in its activities. We are recommending a final core support grant to assist LISD’s efforts to build on the work we have long supported and to help diversify its funding base.