Research Security Menu
ORP Menu
Research Security Components
Disclosure Management
A Research Security Review is a process to evaluate international scholarly activities (such as collaborations, co-authorship, agreements, funding/support, data/material transfers) to identify and manage potential risks. The goal is to protect your research, the University, and U.S. interests, such as national security and economic competitiveness, from undue foreign influence, theft, or misuse.
Outside Activities and Interests
Other Support / Current & Pending Support
Most federal sponsors require disclosure of Other Support or Current & Pending Support in grant and contract applications. Information may be disclosed in a proposal, during the Just-In-Time process, in a progress report, or at any time deemed appropriate by the sponsor.
Most Federal sponsors are taking an expansive view of what should be disclosed. For example, if you are hosting a visiting scholar who receives funding from their home institution, you may need to disclose this as other support.
- Resource: See the Office of Sponsored Programs webpage: Other Support/Current & Pending Support for more information and sponsor specific guidance
- Resource: NSF Pre- and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support Table
The Office for Research Protections (ORP) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) work together to support the disclosure process and are available to answer questions as needed.
Travel Security
International Travel Reporting: Faculty, staff and students traveling for University purposes (regardless of the funding source) must record international travel in the Global Safety Network database at least 30 days prior to departure as outlined in the University’s International Travel Requirements Policy TR01. This includes travel for international research, conferences, and internships.
Traveling with Electronic Devices: Caution should be taken when traveling with laptops and other electronic data devices, as there is an increased risk that your devices may be compromised especially when traveling internationally. Government authorities may ask you to provide access to electronic devices when entering or exiting a country. It is a best practice to limit the number of devices and use a “clean” laptop with only what is needed for any presentations.
Review the following websites for more information.
- Review Penn State Globals’s webpage on Travel Safety Tips.
- Review Penn State Global’s webpage on Electronic Devices and Mobile Phones Abroad
Foreign Travel Security Training: Covered individuals will soon be required to complete foreign travel security training prior to international travel. This training must be completed once every six years. Through the coordination of the NSTC Subcommittee on Research Security, a foreign travel security training module will soon be made available by the federal government.
Learn More: For more information and assistance with planning and conducting international travel, please visit Global Program’s website.
Guidance for International Activities
Building Successful International Collaborations
Embarking on international research collaborations opens doors to new discoveries and impactful solutions. While the Penn State supports international collaborations, it is important to navigate these collaborations thoughtfully and carefully in order to protect your work, ensure compliance, and maintain the integrity of the University’s research enterprise.
Are you considering partnering with individuals or institutions abroad? Will your project involve signing agreements, sharing data or materials, or hosting international visitors? Understanding the potential risks, especially when interacting with entities in “countries of concern,” and knowing the steps to ensure compliance with U.S. regulations and University policies is paramount.
Learn More: Building Successful International Collaborations
Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
The U.S. government has highlighted concerns about certain foreign government-sponsored programs designed to acquire U.S. scientific and technological advancements improperly. “Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs” (MFTRPs) can pose significant risks to national security, economic security, and your research integrity, potentially creating serious conflicts of interest and commitment.
Participation in MFTRPs is prohibited for individuals receiving U.S. federal funding and by University policy. But what exactly constitutes an MFTRP? How can you identify one, and what are your obligations regarding disclosure and reporting?
Learn More: Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
Export Controls
The Export Control Program maintains responsibility for establishing, implementing, and enforcing University-wide export compliance policies, procedures, and guidelines designed to meet or exceed the requirements of the various federal laws governing the export of goods, technology, and information, including compliance with ITAR, EAR, and OFAC regulations.
Foreign Visitors
A process for reviewing visitors to Penn State is part of the comprehensive approach to research security outlined in NSPM-33. The Visiting Scholars process is composed of reviews by a number of University offices to ensure that our esteemed visitors comply with regulatory requirements.
NOTE: Hosts of Visiting Scholars should be aware that effort from Visiting Scholars who have support from their home institutions may need to be disclosed as Other Support.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is an expansive and complex area and its scope extends well beyond research. For purposes of research security, the following resources are helpful starting points.
Research taking place under government contracts may be subject to additional security controls. For assistance with this type of research, please email the Office of Information Security (OIS) at security@psu.edu.
Office for Research Protections
Address
200 Innovation Blvd.
Suite 110
University Park, PA 16802
The Office for Research Protections (ORP) ensures that research at the University is conducted in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines that protect human participants, animals, students, and personnel involved with research.