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Research Security
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Responsible International Research Collaboration

WVU welcomes international partnerships that advance discovery and create global impact. Approach every collaboration thoughtfully—protect your work, follow compliance requirements, and help uphold the integrity of WVU’s research enterprise.

Before You Collaborate

This resource helps WVU researchers establish productive, compliant international collaborations. While global partnerships bring immense opportunity, they also require careful attention to research security. Risks such as export-control violations, conflicts of interest, or heightened federal oversight can jeopardize both compliance and research integrity.

By understanding these risks and following WVU’s research-security and compliance guidance, you can protect your work, your collaborators, and the University’s mission to advance safe and responsible global research.

Pre-Screening

Use this quick checklist to self-screen an international activity:

  • Who are the partners? Any affiliation with countries or entities of concern?
  • What’s being shared (data, materials, software, devices)? Any restrictions or sensitive tech?
  • Are there agreements (MoU, NDA, data/material transfer)? Who signs and reviews?
  • Is there foreign support, appointments, or in-kind resources to disclose?
  • Will you travel internationally or host international visitors at WVU?

When to Contact WVU Research Security

  • Collaborations involving countries/entities of concern or sensitive technologies.
  • Non-U.S. funding, foreign appointments, or unusual agreement terms (e.g., confidentiality, IP, publication limits).
  • Data or materials with access restrictions; remote access to WVU systems from abroad.
  • International visitors, joint labs, or new cross-border centers/consortia.
Request a Research Security Review

Resources

ITA Consolidated Screening List Tool DOD: Foreign Institutions Engaging in Problematic Activities

Disclosures and Reporting

  • Other Support:
    salary, stipends, in-kind resources, lab space, equipment, or personnel from non-U.S. sources.
  • Foreign appointments or affiliations:
    paid or unpaid titles, advisory roles, or commitments.
  • Visiting scholars:
    hosts must ensure applicable support is disclosed as Other Support.
How to disclose foreign support and affiliations

Export Controls

WVU complies with ITAR, EAR, and OFAC. Some collaborations, shipments, software access, and travel require screening or authorization.

  • Pre-travel export screening for embargoed countries and when taking WVU devices or controlled data.
  • Use “clean” laptops abroad; maintain control of devices; avoid public Wi-Fi and USB charging.
WVU Export Control Office

International Travel and Visitors

  • Travel: Register WVU business travel with the Office of Global Affairs at least one month in advance; complete any required security training; enroll in insurance.
  • Visitors: Register international visitors in the International Visitor Registry at least two weeks in advance—this triggers restricted-party screening and visa workflows.
Traveler Screening Visitor Screening Office of Global Affairs WVU International Travel Security Standard

Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRP)

MFTRPs are foreign government–backed programs that seek improper access to U.S. research. Participation is prohibited for individuals with U.S. federal funding and under University policy.

  • Look for unusual clauses: undisclosed payments, secrecy mandates, publication restrictions, or IP transfer requirements.
  • Contact WVU Research Security before signing any agreement that seems suspicious.
About Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs