Research Security
Research Security is broadly defined as “safeguarding the research enterprise against the misappropriation of research and development to the detriment of national or economic security, related violations of research integrity, and foreign government interference.” It refers to the protection of sensitive research data, intellectual property, and scientific discoveries from theft, interference, or exploitation by unauthorized entities.
Required Compliance Trainings:
- Ethics and Compliance Briefing for Researchers training (UC Learning Center)
- Research Security at the University of California training (UC Learning Center)
Research Security Training under NSPM-33 requires UC ANR to ensure that all applicable federally funded researchers complete research security training and receive insider threat training. Covered Individuals who plan to apply for new funding from the agencies listed below must complete the training prior to proposal (application) submission. Failure for Covered Individuals to complete this required training could impact your proposal/application from being submitted or delays in accepting new awards.
Research security training requirements by federal agency:
Agency | Effective | Covered Individuals | Completed by when |
| DOE/NNSA | 5/1/2025 | Covered Individual means an individual who (a) contributes in a substantive, meaningful way to the development or execution of the scope of work of a project funded by DOE or proposed for funding by DOE, and (b) is designated as a covered individual by DOE. At a minimum, PI/PD, Co-PI/Co-PD, project manager, and any other individual functionally performing as any of the above, as well as anyone else identified in a specific NOFO. | Proposal stage: complete within the 12 months immediately preceding the application submission date Award stage: new Covered Individuals must complete within 30 days of joining the project. |
| NSF | 10/10/2025 | Senior/key personnel include individuals designated by the proposer/recipient organization and who contribute in a substantive, meaningful way to the scientific development or execution of a research and development project proposed to be carried out with a research and development award. | Proposal stage: complete within the 12 months immediately preceding the application submission date |
| NIH (fulfills NIH Other Support training requirement) | Other Support Training: 10/1/2025 Research Security Training: 5/25/2026 | Senior/key personnel listed on the application | For Other Support Training: Required at the Just-in-Time (JIT) phase. For Research Security Training: Proposal stage: complete within the-12 months immediately preceding the application submission date. |
| DOD | TBD | ||
| NASA | TBD | ||
| USDA | TBD |
Disclosure Requirements
UC ANR researchers must provide accurate and detailed disclosures of foreign affiliations, funding, and participation in foreign talent programs. This transparency helps the government assess potential risks. Failure to transparently disclose foreign engagements in current and pending support and biosketches can have serious consequences.
To promote transparency, UC ANR researchers must follow disclosure requirements regarding research security. These disclosure requirements apply to:
- Participation in Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
- Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRP)
- Research Disclosures
- Conflicts of Interest (including financial conflict of interest)
- Conflicts of Commitment
- Current and Pending Support
- Foreign Financial Transactions and Gifts