Federal Research Agencies Tighten Safeguards Against Foreign Interference

Federal research agencies are expanding efforts to protect taxpayer-funded research from foreign interference. 

Officials from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy and National Institutes of Health outlined on Wednesday new policies, oversight tools and risk-based reviews designed to prevent research and technology theft.  

“Democrats, Republicans, scientists, and researchers and every American agrees that we need to protect research security. Our cutting-edge research cannot be weaponized by the People’s Liberation Army or dual use entities — not quantum, not sensitive AI, not the breakthroughs that keep America safe,” said U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna during the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.  

National Science Foundation Expands Research Security Framework 

Rebecca Kaiser, acting chief of staff and chief of research security strategy and policy at NSF, said the agency has significantly expanded its research security efforts through new policies, mandatory training requirements and enhanced oversight. 

Kaiser said NSF recently published a “dear colleague” letter notifying the research community of the agency’s intent to implement a policy next year, which prohibits the use of NSF funds to support research collaboration with entities named on restricted entities lists. Under the policy, institutions will be responsible for ensuring funds are not used to support prohibited collaborations and for maintaining appropriate oversight to identify and address potential noncompliance before funds are paid.

The proposed policy also prevents funds from being used by senior or key personnel with active positions with or funding from these restricted entities. It will still need to go through a public comment period before it can be enacted. 

“This work is a matter of protecting American competitiveness and national security, and requires continued vigilance, culture change and accountability,” Kaiser told lawmakers. 

 Researchers must also certify they have taken research security training in order to apply for agency funding.  

Energy Department Strengthens Layered Protections 

Jeremy Ison, chief of staff to the undersecretary for science at the Energy Department, said the department continues to build on a strong security foundation with “more specific tools for the threats we face today.” 

“I have seen how foreign governments try to exploit research environments, and I recognize the importance of disciplined, targeted and executable responses,” Ison said. 

Among DOE’s recently updated tools is its Science and Technology Risk Matrix, which helps laboratory officials identify and protect unclassified areas of science and technology where breakthroughs could have significant national security or economic security implications. Ison said it gives decision makers a common way to think about the sensitivity of the work before access decisions are made.  

The department also strengthened policies governing foreign government-sponsored activities, expanded disclosure requirements and enhanced reviews of foreign affiliations.  

Through its Office of Research, Technology and Economic Security, the department now evaluates research security risks before and after awards are issued — as risks change — and can impose mitigation requirements or deny funding when risks cannot be adequately managed. 

“The goal is not to close off American scientists,” he said. “It is to make sure that collaboration is transparent, accountable, mission-aligned, protected.” 

NIH Increases Research Security Training

Patricia Valdez, chief extramural research integrity officer at NIH, said they are working to protect both security and openness though clear disclosure requirements, risk-based oversight and close coordination with federal partners. 

“Safeguarding federally funded biomedical research from foreign interference helps protect America’s scientific leadership, economic competitiveness and national security,” she said. “NIH is committed to protecting the U.S. biomedical research, while recognizing that appropriately managed international scientific collaborations remain essential to scientific progress and U.S. competitiveness.” 

Valdez said NIH has updated its disclosure requirements regarding foreign funding support, conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment. They have also implemented mandatory research security training and enhanced the institute’s ability to identify potential disclosure noncompliance and foreign interference.  

Most recently, NIH has replaced traditional foreign subawards with linked foreign subprojects. Meaning, foreign collaborators receive separate, directly linked awards, which gives NIH greater oversight into foreign research activities and improved tracking of federal funds. NIH also reviews disclosures submitted with grant applications throughout the award lifecycle to identify potential concerns.