What is Research Security?

What is Research Security? 

First, the official definitions….

Research security, as defined in National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33), is “safeguarding the research enterprise against the misappropriation of research and development to the detriment of national or economic security, related violations of research integrity and foreign government interference.” (NSPM-33)

In this context, and as cited by NSF, research integrity is “the use of honest and verifiable methods in proposing, performing and evaluating research; reporting research results with particular attention to adherence to rules, regulations and guidelines; and following commonly accepted professional codes and norms.” (OECD/G7)

What does this mean in practical terms?  The Federal Government is concerned about the compromise of government-sponsored, taxpayer-funded, research and the potential for that compromise to harm the U.S. economic and national security.  To address this concern, a number of actions have been undertaken by both the executive and legislative branches.  Those actions most directly affecting universities are found in NSPM-33, the CHIPS Act, and Implementing Guidance.   

The Council on Government Relations (COGR) maintains a matrix of current and upcoming federal research security requirements which can be found here. 

In practice, Federal government grants and awards are increasingly tied to risk evaluations assessing the potential for foreign influence or compromise which are being conducted by funding agencies of the universities and the Principal Investigators and other key personnel and intramural researchers.