Research Security Program

Sculpture in Chicago
JASON  |  March 2023  |  JSR-22-08, JASON. 2023. "Research Program on Research Security"

As the only public Carnegie Research 1 institution in the city of Chicago, UIC’s mission is exhibited by our commitment to global engagement in research as we recognize the diversity of our international and domestic scholars who contribute to our scholarly and research excellence.To that end, UIC expects scientists and researchers to be open and transparent in their compliance with University and sponsor guidelines, policies, procedures, and regulations. UIC expects scientists and researchers to take reasonable precautions when traveling internationally to protect themselves and the University. To assist our scientists and researchers, UIC has developed a Research Security Program to meet our internal and external compliance requirements.

Presidential Memorandum on United States Government-Supported Research and Development National Security Policy (January 2021) required that “research institutions [] establish and operate research security programs”. A research security program was described to “include elements of cyber security, foreign travel security, insider threat awareness and identification, and, as appropriate, export control training.”

The National Science and Technology Council (January 2022) released a report, “Protecting the Integrity of Government Science”, outlining the need to improve governmental and institutional implementation of policies and procedures related to research misconduct, research integrity, and research security. The Office of Science and Technology Policy (January 2022) released guidance that included information related to the minimum requirements of a research security program. Similar to the Presidential Memorandum, the guidance described the research security program to include (1) cybersecurity, (2) foreign travel security, including an organizational record of covered international travel and a pre-authorization requirement with security briefings and assistance with electronic device security, (3) research security training, (4) export control training, as appropriate, and (5) designation of a research security point of contact (POC).

The Chips and Science Act of 2022 outlined requirements including the development of a National Science Foundation Office of Research Security, definition of and prohibition in participation in malign foreign government talent and recruitment programs, implementation of research security training, and definition of entities of concern.

The National Science Foundation requisitioned JASON to evaluate Research Security, resulting in the March 2023 ” “Research Program on Research Security” report to clarify the need for Research Security and define this term.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (July 2024) release additional “Guidelines for Research Security Programs at Covered Institutions”. This memo instructs federal agencies of what the requirements of a research security program will be.

UIC OVCR has established programs that meet these minimum requirements, but some programs may need to be revised to address additional guidance that may be released. UIC OVCR will continue to work with Technology Solutions to implement and improve aspects of our cybersecurity infrastructure. Some currently optional programs may need to be required in the future due to the federal mandates.

UIC has and continues to:

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research will update the UIC research community as more federal agencies mandate additional processes and procedures related to research security.

UIC “will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, order of protection status, genetic information, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations.”