Why Research Security Matters
The U.S. federal government has raised increasing concerns about undue foreign influence and the exploitation of federally funded research.
Federal agencies have identified cases where researchers failed to disclose outside affiliations, appointments, or support from foreign entities—actions that can compromise research integrity and threaten U.S. competitiveness.
Failure to disclose such relationships can jeopardize future funding eligibility and damage both individual and institutional reputations.
To address these risks, the federal government has issued directives, legislation, and guidance to strengthen research security at institutions across the nation. WVU’s Research Security Program aligns with these expectations to protect our research enterprise, our researchers, and our role in the global research community.
Regulatory Background
Federal research security requirements are based on policies and directives developed to safeguard the integrity of U.S. research while maintaining an open academic environment.
Learn more about the regulatory framework
Navigating Research Security at WVU
The federal government’s growing focus on research security brings important implications for universities and researchers. Protecting the integrity of WVU’s research means understanding potential risks and maintaining transparency in every aspect of scholarly activity.
This national focus translates into:
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Greater scrutiny of international interests and collaborations
Researchers must be transparent about all foreign affiliations, collaborations, funding sources, and outside financial interests. -
Prohibition on Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRPs)
Federal regulations and WVU policy prohibit participation in any program that attempts to inappropriately influence or divert research activities. -
More rigorous risk assessments
Federal sponsors now evaluate potential security risks before issuing awards, requiring full and accurate disclosure of all support and affiliations. -
Stricter grant requirements
Grant agreements may include new security clauses, data-protection expectations, or mandatory training provisions tied to federal research security standards. -
Increased emphasis on cybersecurity
Researchers must actively safeguard sensitive and controlled data, systems, and intellectual property from unauthorized access or cyber threats.
By understanding these expectations and staying compliant, WVU researchers help preserve both the openness of academic inquiry and the trust of our federal research partners.