Research Security
What is Research Security?
Research Security is a federally-mandated, institution-wide program designed to safeguard the research enterprise against undue foreign interference and/or the misappropriation of research and intellectual property. This program applies to many institutional functions, including but not limited to research activities.
Under National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 and the CHIPS + Science Act (2022), entities which accept federal research funding must develop and implement a Research Security program which includes:
- an export control program,
- federal research agency disclosure management,
- a foreign travel security program,
- a cybersecurity program to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI),
- a research integrity program, and
- Research Security training.
The GW Research Security Office is working to build out an effective Research Security program. If you have questions related to Research Security and/or foreign influence prevention, please contact our office at rsec
gwu [dot] edu (rsec[at]gwu[dot]edu).
What Is Foreign Influence?
The term “Foreign Influence” is generally used to characterize a situation wherein an international entity (e.g., a sponsoring or collaborating institution, industry partner, donor, or other international entity with a direct or indirect relationship to the university) positions itself to gain access to the university’s Intellectual Property (IP) and/or export controlled information; or to covertly influence or steer the course of federally-funded research in a manner that benefits said foreign entity.
While international collaboration is vital to academic progress and global scientific advancement, it must be conducted transparently, ethically, and in compliance with federal, state/district, and agency regulations.
Federal agencies and sponsors have implemented multiple requirements related to the identification, review, and reporting of interactions that may result in inappropriate foreign influence.
GW Research Security Training
Federal agencies are mandating that Covered Individuals (e.g., PI, PD, Co-PI, Co-PD, or other individuals “who contribute in a substantive, meaningful way to the development or execution of the scope of work”) included on research and development (R&D) projects and/or applications must complete Research Security training.
Review a comprehensive list of Research Security training requirements, and a link to our easy-to-use training platform.
GW Research Security Resources
Federal Funding Agency Requirements: Details on how specific funding agencies are implementing Research Security requirements, including requirements from the National Science Foundation (NSF), effective May 20th, 2024, and the Department of Defense (DoD), effective August 9th, 2024.
Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs: Includes information on what does AND what does not constitute a "Malign" Foreign Talent Recruitment Program.
Request Training or Additional Guidance
To request training or additional guidance on these requirements, or for any other inquiries related to Research Security, please contact GW's Office of Research Security at rsecgwu [dot] edu (rsec[at]gwu[dot]edu).