The JASON report, commissioned by the National Science Foundation (NSF), addresses the challenge of safeguarding the U.S. research enterprise from national security risks while preserving the openness and collaborative spirit foundational to scientific advancement. The report highlights the changing context of research security, emphasizing factors such as the growing intersection between national security and commercially-relevant civilian research, the globalization of science, and strategic competition with countries like China—particularly regarding issues such as China’s Military-Civil Fusion policy and increased incidents of technology misappropriation. Recent U.S. legislation, including the CHIPS and Science Act, underscores the need for clear guidance on identifying and managing sensitive research, especially research with potential national security implications.
JASON reaffirms prior recommendations that fundamental research, as defined by NSDD-189, should remain as open as possible and that formal controls, such as designating research as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), could have unintended negative consequences for scientific progress, workforce development, and U.S. competitiveness. The report recommends a dynamic, project-level approach to identifying sensitive research, with the principal investigator (PI) and NSF program officer collaborating early in the proposal stage to assess potential risks. It suggests that risk mitigation should be proportional to identified threats and should favor mitigations preserving the fundamental research exclusion whenever feasible. The involvement of universities is emphasized, with calls for ongoing dialogue and awareness-building around research security. Proactive steps such as international collaboration with like-minded partners, investment in key technical areas, and strategies to address STEM pipeline challenges are also advocated. Ultimately, the report advises NSF to proceed cautiously with new controls, balancing the benefits of protection against the risks of stifling research innovation and collaboration.
