Federal and state governments have implemented research security requirements to protect the integrity of research, safeguard sensitive technologies, and promote transparency in international collaborations. Faculty, staff, students, and research personnel may be required to complete training, disclose external affiliations and support, comply with travel and cybersecurity requirements, and avoid participation in prohibited foreign talent recruitment programs.

What Researchers Need to Know
Depending on the nature of their research activities, researchers may be required to:

  • Complete research security and export control training;
  • Disclose outside appointments, affiliations, collaborations, and sources of support;
  • Comply with foreign travel reporting requirements;
  • Follow cybersecurity and data protection requirements;
  • Avoid participation in prohibited foreign talent recruitment programs; and
  • Consult with the Research Security Office regarding international collaborations, foreign engagements, and other activities that may present regulatory or security considerations.
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  •  NSPM-33 

    National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) establishes a government-wide framework to strengthen research security across federally funded research institutions. NSPM-33 requires certain research organizations to implement research security programs addressing cybersecurity, foreign travel security, research security training, and export control training while promoting transparency in foreign collaborations and research support.

    How This Affects Texas State Researchers
    Researchers involved in federally funded research may be required to:

    • Complete Research Security Training;
    • Complete Export Control Training when applicable;
    • Comply with institutional foreign travel requirements;
    • Accurately disclose appointments, affiliations, collaborations, and support;
    • Follow institutional cybersecurity and data protection requirements; and
    • Support institutional certification requirements related to research security compliance.

  • CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT  

    The CHIPS and Science Act includes research security provisions designed to protect federally funded research from undue foreign influence and to enhance transparency in research activities. The law establishes requirements related to foreign talent recruitment programs, disclosures, certifications, and research security training for individuals participating in federally funded research.

    How This Affects Researchers

    • Researchers participating in federally funded research projects should be aware that:
    • Participation in a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (MFTRP) is prohibited for covered individuals;
    • Certain certifications may be required during proposal submission and award acceptance;
    • Foreign affiliations and research support must be disclosed accurately and completely;
    • Institutions are required to provide research security training; and
    • Noncompliance may affect proposal eligibility, award administration, or continued participation in federally funded projects.

  • S.B. No. 1565 (Texas)  

    The law set forth by the state of Texas requires each institution of higher education to establish a policy framework that promotes secure academic research at the Institution while mitigating the risk of foreign espionage and interference. It requires the governing board of the university system to establish a separate research security policy framework for each institution of higher education under the governing board's management and control.  

    The policy framework must address:  

    • achieving the highest level of compliance with applicable ethical, legal, regulatory, contractual, and system standards and requirements for securing and protecting the institution's research portfolios;  
    • promoting within the institution an organizational culture of compliance with federal requirements to ensure the institution maintains eligibility for federal funding; and  
    • designating a person to serve as a research security officer responsible for maintaining classified information, maintaining controlled unclassified information, conducting foreign influence reporting, and addressing other issues at the institution associated with the goals of the policy framework. 

  • GA-48 (Texas)  

    Executive Order GA-48 was issued by Governor Greg Abbott on November 19, 2024, and establishes additional security requirements applicable to Texas public institutions of higher education and other state agencies. The Order addresses activities involving countries designated as foreign adversaries under 15 C.F.R. § 791.4, currently including China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela.

    How This Affects Texas State Researchers
    Researchers and other university employees should be aware that:

    • Professional travel to a foreign-adversary country may be restricted or prohibited under state requirements.
    • Employees may be required to provide notification and reporting related to personal travel to foreign-adversary countries.
    • Acceptance of gifts from entities associated with foreign-adversary countries may be prohibited.
    • Participation in foreign recruitment programs sponsored by a foreign-adversary nation is prohibited for employees of Texas public institutions of higher education.
    • Certain foreign gifts, contracts, affiliations, collaborations, and international activities may require institutional review and reporting.
    • Researchers should consult RIC prior to engaging in activities involving foreign-adversary countries, foreign government entities, or other activities that may raise research security concerns.

  • House Bill 127 established the Higher Education Research Security Council and created additional research security requirements for Texas institutions of higher education. The law addresses research security governance, international activities, foreign influence risks, international travel, foreign engagements, student organizations, educational software review, and other institutional compliance obligations. Texas State University implements these requirements through its research security program, institutional policies, review processes, training, and oversight activities.

    How This Affects Texas State Researchers
    Researchers may be required to:

    • Comply with institutional research security policies and procedures;
    • Participate in required research security training and compliance activities;
    • Provide information necessary for institutional review of international collaborations, foreign engagements, and foreign support;
    • Comply with university requirements related to international travel and travel risk management;
    • Support institutional certification, disclosure, and reporting obligations; and
    • Consult with the Research Security Office regarding activities involving foreign entities, foreign affiliations, international partnerships, or other research security considerations.