The document provides an in-depth examination of how research institutions in the United States are addressing and managing the complex issues related to foreign influence on research activities. The panel, comprising senior research administrators from universities such as the University of California, Davis, the University of Chicago, Duke University, and the University of Florida, discusses the evolving regulatory landscape, including recent presidential proclamations, NIH and NSF policy updates, and Department of Energy directives aimed at enhancing transparency, reducing IP theft, and mitigating export control violations. The discussion highlights institutional challenges in complying with increasingly stringent government expectations regarding disclosure of foreign support, potential conflicts of interest, and safeguarding intellectual property.
Through selected case studies, including detailed overviews of processes at the University of Florida and UC Davis, the document illustrates practical institutional responses such as centralized and digitized disclosure systems (e.g., UFOLIO), enhanced risk assessments for international activities, proactive education and communication strategies, and strengthened collaboration across compliance, research, legal, and administrative units. The University of Chicago’s efforts underscore policy clarification, operational changes, team expansion, and faculty engagement in mitigating risks. Overall, the document emphasizes the necessity of cross-cutting institutional cooperation, ongoing education, robust policy infrastructure, and continuous adaptation to regulatory shifts to ensure responsible research conduct and safeguard national interests in an increasingly global research environment.
