Federal Sponsor Research Security Reviews

Federal agencies have implemented research security programs to promote transparency, safeguard federally funded research, protect research integrity, and strengthen the security and resilience of the U.S. research enterprise. While these programs share common principles established under NSPM-33 and related federal requirements, each sponsor implements research security through its own policies, proposal requirements, and award terms and conditions.

The Office of Research Security (ORS) has developed sponsor-specific guidance to help investigators understand agency expectations throughout the proposal and award lifecycle. These resources summarize common research security considerations, disclosure requirements, international collaboration expectations, and activities that may require institutional review or sponsor notification.

ORS assists investigators in identifying and addressing research security considerations before proposal submission and throughout the life of an award, helping to support compliant, collaborative, and internationally engaged research.

Looking for sponsor disclosure requirements?

This guidance summarizes each agency's research security expectations throughout the proposal and award lifecycle. For detailed information on sponsor disclosure documents (e.g., Biographical Sketches, Current and Pending Support, Other Support, Foreign Components, and Common Forms), visit the Federal Sponsor Disclosure Requirements page.

Why Federal Agencies Conduct Research Security Reviews

Research security reviews are intended to:

• Promote transparency in federally funded research
• Protect research integrity
• Safeguard sensitive research data, technologies, and intellectual property
• Ensure compliance with sponsor requirements
• Identify and manage research security risks
• Protect the fairness and integrity of the federal funding process
• Support responsible international collaboration while protecting U.S. research and innovation

Common Areas Reviewed by Federal Sponsors

Although review requirements vary by sponsor and type of activity, federal agencies commonly evaluate several categories of information when assessing research security considerations.

Nature of the Activity

Sponsors may consider:

• Research collaborations
• International travel
• Visiting researchers
• Foreign appointments
• Foreign sponsors
• International agreements
• Conferences and professional activities
• Research services and testing

Research Relationships

Sponsors may evaluate the individuals and organizations involved, including:

• Foreign collaborators
• Foreign institutions
• Subrecipients
• Visiting scholars
• Industry partners
• Government laboratories
• International research organizations

Research Activities

Depending on the project, sponsors may consider:

• Fundamental research
• Controlled research
• Export-controlled activities
• Sponsor restrictions
• Publication restrictions
• Technology development
• Prototype development
• Access to sensitive facilities

Research Data, Materials, and Technology

Reviews may include consideration of:

• Controlled-access research data
• Sensitive technologies
• Biological materials
• Software and source code
• Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
• Sponsor cybersecurity requirements
• Data protection requirements

Personnel and Institutional Considerations

Federal sponsors may also evaluate:

• Professional appointments
• Affiliations
• Current and Pending Support
• Conflict of Commitment
• Organizational Conflict of Interest
• Research Security Training
• Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
• Restricted party screening

Sponsor-Specific Considerations

Questions/Concerns contact the Research Security Program

Schedule a Meeting with a Research Security Professional