Research

Research Security and Integrity Working Group

National Security Presidential Memorandum–33, or NSPM-33, was signed into action on January 14, 2021.

In conjunction with the implementation of NSPM-33, the Subcommittee on Research Security of the Joint Committee on the Research Environment, or JCORE, released “Recommended Practices for Strengthening the Security and Integrity of America’s Science and Technology Research Enterprise,” known as the JCORE report. This document contains 21 recommended practices, which provide guidance on how research institutions can meet the requirements of NSPM-33.

NSPM-33 directs actions by federal funding agencies to strengthen protections of U.S. government-supported research and development against foreign government interference and exploitation within 12 months through:

  • Strengthening disclosure requirements, processes, investigation capabilities, and sanctions related to conflicts of interest and commitment, as well as other support reporting.
  • Requiring heads of funding agencies to ascertain that research institutions receiving federal science and engineering support in excess of $50 million per year certify to the funding agency that the institution has established and operates a research security program.
    • Such institutional research security programs should include elements of cybersecurity, foreign travel security, training on foreign government talent recruitment programs, insider threat awareness and identification and, as appropriate, export control training.

The president's cabinet has tasked the newly formed Research Security and Integrity Working Group, or RSIWG, to review NSPM-33 and the JCORE recommendations, conduct a gap analysis and update and/or develop standard operating procedures, processes and training to meet any gaps in existing processes.

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