RESEARCH SECURITY

Research security refers to a set of institutionally coordinated practices designed to protect the integrity of the research enterprise while supporting open, collaborative scholarship. These practices are intended to reduce risks related to foreign interference, inappropriate influence, theft of intellectual property, misuse of sensitive research information, and other activities that could harm national or economic security.

Universities conduct research in an increasingly global environment. While international collaboration is essential to scientific advancement, some foreign governments, institutions, or organizations may seek to improperly influence research activities or obtain access to non‑public research data, proprietary information, or advanced technologies. Research security helps institutions and researchers understand these risks and take appropriate, proportionate steps to manage them.

Increased attention to research security by federal agencies and the State of Texas has resulted in several evolving expectations across the higher‑education research community, including:

• Transparency in research relationships and activities. Researchers are expected to disclose relevant foreign affiliations, collaborations, outside professional activities, and sources of support as required by sponsor and institutional policies.

• Restrictions related to malign foreign talent recruitment programs. Federal law and Texas statutes prohibit participation in certain foreign talent recruitment programs that pose national security concerns.

• Enhanced risk review by funding agencies. Sponsors may conduct more detailed assessments of research proposals, institutional controls, and researcher disclosures prior to making awards.

• Sponsor‑specific research security requirements. Grant and contract terms may include research security provisions such as data protection measures, training requirements, or risk‑mitigation plans, depending on the funding agency.

• Increased emphasis on cybersecurity. Protecting research data, systems, and devices from unauthorized access is a critical component of safeguarding the research enterprise.

Together, these efforts are intended to support responsible research practices while maintaining the openness and integrity that are central to the academic mission.

Research security is important because both the federal government and the State of Texas have identified risks associated with inappropriate foreign influence and unauthorized access to sensitive research information, intellectual property, and advanced technologies. In some cases, foreign governments or affiliated entities have attempted to improperly obtain non‑public research information or influence research activities to gain economic or national security advantages.

These risks may result in a range of adverse outcomes, including inappropriate information sharing, data security incidents, noncompliance with sponsor or contractual requirements, ethical concerns, and potential national security implications. As a result, federal and state funding agencies have increased their attention to the international interests, relationships, and activities associated with federally and state‑funded research.

Research security is also a component of responsible and ethical conduct of research. It supports transparency in research relationships, good stewardship of public research funding, and the integrity and reliability of research outcomes. Addressing research security considerations throughout the lifecycle of a research project helps institutions and researchers manage risk effectively while continuing to benefit from appropriate and productive international collaboration.

When research involves sensitive information, specialized technologies, or heightened sponsor requirements, early awareness of research security considerations enables potential risks to be identified and mitigated in a proportionate and informed manner.

Research security considerations are integrated across applicable institutional policies and oversight processes to support compliant and responsible research activities.

While most international research collaborations and affiliations do not present a research security concern, both the U.S. federal government and the State of Texas have identified certain countries and entities that pose elevated risks of foreign interference, intellectual property theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive research information. These risks may arise through espionage, cyber activities, undisclosed relationships, or other inappropriate attempts to influence research activities, including through seemingly routine collaborations.

At the federal level, research security risk assessments are conducted using a risk‑based approach that considers the nature of the research activity, the involvement of specific foreign institutions, companies, or programs, and applicable sponsor requirements. Federal agencies may refer to certain jurisdictions as “countries of concern” in guidance or award terms, but evaluations typically focus on specific activities or entities, not nationality alone.

At the State of Texas level, certain requirements apply to entities defined as “foreign adversaries” under federal law (15 C.F.R. § 791.4), as incorporated by Texas law and executive action. As of this time, the U.S. Department of Commerce identifies the following countries as foreign adversaries:

Foreign Adversary Countries

• China
• Cuba
• Iran
• North Korea
• Russia
• Venezuela

Research‑related activities involving entities or interests associated with foreign adversaries may be subject to additional review, restrictions, or sponsor‑specific requirements depending on the nature of the activity and applicable law. Texas State University encourages researchers to consult with Research Integrity & Compliance (RIC) early when planning international collaborations, travel, gifts, or other research activities involving higher‑risk jurisdictions so potential issues can be identified and addressed proactively.