The document outlines recent updates and forthcoming priorities regarding research security initiatives spearheaded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), as presented by Sara Barber, Science Policy Advisor at the Office of the Chief of Research Security, Strategy, and Policy. Key developments include the rollout of standardized disclosure forms in May 2024, a Foreign Financial Disclosure Requirement (FFDR) commencing July 2024, and ongoing efforts such as research security training modules, oversight of Confucius Institutes, and the establishment of comprehensive research security programs. Major enforcement mechanisms under way include pilot projects on risk assessment (TRUST) and monitoring of dual-use research. The NSF's SECURE program aims to fortify the U.S. research ecosystem through ambitious multi-institutional efforts, notably the SECURE Analytics and SECURE Center awards, intended to provide tools, analytics, shared virtual environments, and best practices for the community.
A significant emphasis is placed on compliance with the Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (MFTRP), now barring individuals involved in such programs from key NSF proposal roles and instituting annual certification requirements for principal investigators (PIs) and co-PIs. The FFDR implements structured reporting windows and privacy safeguards for sensitive financial disclosures. Additionally, the NSF is fostering research on research security via its Research on Research Security (RoRS) initiative, promoting new scholarly disciplines, collaborative working groups, and international cooperation. Work is ongoing, in coordination with interagency partners, to finalize centralized standards for institutional research security programs, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity, foreign travel, and export control. These actions collectively reflect a proactive stance by the NSF to address evolving risks and uphold integrity across the U.S. and global research landscapes.
