The Center for National Security Training and Research (CNSTAR), located at Florida State University´s Learning Systems Institute, is a cross-disciplinary team of human performance technologists, educators, evaluators, cognitive scientists, and learning theory researchers. All of CNSTAR´s resources are focused on human performance improvement in the field of national security.

The mission of CNSTAR is to enhance national security by conducting research on learning and instruction, applying principles of performance technology, and designing, developing, and evaluating innovative training solutions.

Through affiliations with governmental and private partners, the Center´s staff gathers data, teams with subject matter experts, analyzes performance needs, and then designs, develops, implements, and evaluates appropriate training and performance support for a wide variety of duties and tasks.

The Center´s primary project is the development of training for those entrusted with protecting and securing the nation´s seaports. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office for Grants and Training (OGT), has awarded CNSTAR a two-year, $6.2 million grant to design, develop, and implement training for port security guards, first responders, and other port personnel. The purpose of the training is to enhance capabilities to prevent, detect, deter, defend, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks.