Safeguarding Discovery Through Responsible Global Engagement

The U.S. federal government requires all research institutions that receive more than $50 million per year in federal science and engineering funding to operate a comprehensive Research Security Program.

Research Security Components

At WVU, the Research Security Program works to protect the University’s research enterprise and the national interest by safeguarding data, intellectual property, and researcher integrity. The program includes the following core components:

Disclosure Management

WVU faculty and staff must disclose outside activities, financial interests, and foreign collaborations to identify and manage potential conflicts of interest before they affect research integrity.

International Activities

WVU provides guidance for travel, data sharing, and partnerships with foreign institutions to ensure compliance and safeguard intellectual property.

Cyber/Data Security

Protecting research data starts with strong cybersecurity. WVU researchers must follow University IT and data-security standards for any system that handles research data, including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Export Control

Export controls regulate sharing certain research materials or data with foreign persons or outside the U.S. Check with Research Security before shipping equipment, hosting collaborators, or traveling with research devices.