Resources
National Science Foundation
Learn more about research security from the National Science Foundation.
Find resources at The SECURE Center, the non-government, independent entity formed to address foreign government interference, support security-informed decision-making, and serve as a conduit that connects research community stakeholders with one another and with U.S. government (USG) agencies via NSF
National Security Presidential Memorandum
The National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM-33) was issued on January 14, 2021 to “strengthen protections of United States Government-supported R&D against foreign government interference and exploitation” while “maintaining an open environment to foster research discoveries and innovation that benefit our nation and the world.” NSPM33 is directed at funding agencies and departments and requires that they:
- Develop standardized disclosure requirements for institutions.
- Require institutions to utilize digital persistent identifiers.
- Develop guidance for administering consequences for the violation of disclosure requirements.
- Provide clarity regarding circumstances when agencies may share information regarding violations and potential violations.
- Provide clarity on what constitutes a research security program, which institutions will be required to implement. Program elements will include:
Guidance for implementing NSPM-33 focuses on the key elements of a research security program:
- Cybersecurity
- Foreign travel security
- Research security training
- Export Control training
CHIPS and Science Act
CHIPS in Science Act. Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act. The CHIPS Act was signed into law on August 9, 2022, and is designed to boost US competitiveness, innovation, and national security in science and technology. The law aims to catalyze investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity. It invests $280 billion to bolster US semiconductor capacity, catalyze R&D, and create regional high-tech hubs and a bigger, more inclusive STEM workforce. NSF will also be establishing a research security and integrity information sharing and analysis organization in an effort to help universities and researchers alike. The CHIPS Act requires NSF to take a number of actions related to research security affecting institutes of higher education, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Prohibits recipients of federal funding from participating in “malign” foreign talent recruitment programs;
- Expands responsible conduct in research (RCR) training and includes a requirement for research security training;
- Requires researchers to report foreign financial support of $50,000 and above;
- Prohibits working with persons or entities of concern; and
- Requires NSF to develop to identify research areas supported by NSF that may involve access to controlled unclassified or classified information, including in the key technology focus areas.