Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP)
The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) invests in applied research to secure Department of War (DoW) installations, while its companion program, the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), demonstrates and validates these technologies in operational settings. SERDP tackles key challenges facing military installations, creating innovative approaches that strengthen mission capabilities where they're needed most across more than 800 DoW locations worldwide. The program focuses on cross-Service requirements and pursues solutions to the Department's most pressing installation challenges. To meet these challenges, SERDP develops innovative, scalable technologies that enhance military readiness, improve warfighter capabilities, and strengthen defense infrastructure, prioritizing common sense, cost effective solutions that support operational effectiveness at military installations. SERDP issues solicitations for proposals from government, academia, and industry and employs a competitive selection process to ensure the highest quality research. Through these partnerships, SERDP identifies promising technologies that transition to ESTCP for operational demonstration. This coordination helps reduce duplicative efforts and maximizes research impact. Established by Congress in 1990, SERDP serves as a catalyst for cooperation and collaboration across the Armed Services. The development and application of innovative technologies reduces the costs, risks, and time required to resolve installation challenges while advancing military readiness. Our installations are not simply support structures; they are weapon systems that enable DoW to deliver lethality across the force. These investments ensure military installations can withstand operational threats and environmental hazards both inside and outside the fence line, providing a distinct advantage to our warfighters while ensuring military forces remain combat-ready to deter adversaries and defend the nation.
New projects will examine characterization and treatment of biosolids impacted with PFAS. Ongoing projects will continue to develop rapid, on-site sensors for detecting PFAS in soils and water, and further improve our understanding of the ecological toxicity of PFAS in the environment. Development will continue on advancing our ability…
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work Research funding will continue to decrease as continuing projects conclude and mature technologies are transitioned to ESTCP.
FY2026 to FY2027 change The FY 2026 to FY 2027 decrease of $.39 thousand reflects adjustments to promote Government efficiencies from efficiency in alignment with Executive Order 14222, “Implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative” and a downscaling of efforts in this area as the munitions burial and mobility research concludes and mature technologies are transitioned to ESTCP.
FY2026 plans — current year Research funding needs are decreasing as investigations in munitions burial and mobility conclude, which have significantly advanced site characterization knowledge in dynamic underwater environments. Detection, classification, and localization technologies that achieved success have been transitioned to ESTCP for demonstration and validation.
FY2025 accomplishments The program will facilitate transition to live site environments under ESTCP, further develop acoustic, electromagnetic, and optical sensor systems for UXO detection and classification. Research will continue on improving discrimination between UXO and inert debris and validating established munitions burial and mobility models through ESTCP-funded test sites. A comprehensive summary report of prior research will be developed for distribution to relevant stakeholders.
New projects will be initiated to advance modeling of compounded hazards and their impacts on interdependent systems, including transportation and power systems, that support installations. Additional projects will continue to support understanding of rapid ecosystem transformations (fire, permafrost thaw, invasive species) on…
Read the FY2027 plan →First generation saltwater compatible F3s will be developed and transitioned for demonstration/validation. Projects will identify whether ionic liquids can be used to increase the rate of demilitarization of nitrocellulose-based propellants. Alternative synthesis methods for TNT will be developed to prevent red water formation. PFAS-free…
Read the FY2027 plan →