Research Security is a program for safeguarding the University of Arizona's research enterprise against the misappropriation of research and development to the detriment of national or economic security, related violations of research integrity, and foreign government interference.
Should I contact Export Control or Research Security?
Export Control primarily focuses on preventing the transfer of sensitive technology to foreign entities, including foreign nationals within the U.S. With that in mind, contact export control for:
- Export control determinations related to research involving regulated technologies, information, or materials, including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
- Submitting government licenses
- Investigating potential violations of export control regulations
- Implementing and ensuring compliance with Technology Control Plans (TCPs) and CUI requirements
Research Security, on the other hand, has a broader scope, addressing risks such as foreign influence, conflicts of interest in research, and data breaches. Contact research security for:
- Research collaborations, proposals, and subawards
- Contracts, agreements, and memorandums of understanding
- Purchases from foreign entities
- Designated Campus Colleague worksheets
- Visiting scholars
- Employment offers to foreign nationals from Countries of Concern
- Requests for international travel
- Visa sponsorships
- Material Transfer Agreements and Intellectual Property licensing agreements
The Research Security team works with the UArizona community to strengthen protections of research and development against foreign government interference and exploitation while maintaining an open environment to foster research discoveries and innovation that benefit our nation and the world.
Research Security Point of Contact: Taren Ellis Langford
Research Security Incidents must be reported to the Research Security Point of Contact. A Research Security Incident is an action regarding Federal science and engineering support, such as failure to disclose information that could pose financial conflicts of interest or conflicts of commitment; misappropriation of research data or knowhow; and diversion of intellectual property; among others, due to improper foreign influence.
Learn about Foreign Components that must be disclosed.
Learn about Foreign Interests that must be disclosed.
Learn about Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs.
Learn about Foreign Affiliations that must be disclosed.
What should you do to protect R&D?
- Verify all Outside Interests, Outside Activity and Foreign Affiliations that are included in your disclosure to a research sponsor (e.g., current & pending, other support, foreign components) have been disclosed in your most recent certification in eDisclosure.
- Ensure you have disclosed all Foreign Interests, Foreign Components and Foreign Affiliations in eDisclosure.
- Ensure you have disclosed all Foreign Components to sponsoring agencies within either the proposal submission or through a post-award prior approval request. For more information on federally required disclosures, visit this disclosure table NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance Pre- and Post-award Disclosures Relating to the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support.
- Ensure you have disclosed all outside research as an Outside Commitment in eDisclosure. More information is available here: When is Research an Outside Commitment?
- Follow all requirements for uploading foreign contracts and agreements in eDisclosure.
- Complete Information Security Awareness training in EDGE Learning.
- Complete Information Security: Insider Threat Awareness training in EDGE Learning.
- Comply with the University of Arizona's International Travel Safety and Compliance Policy (interim).
- Register Official Travel (as defined in the International Travel Safety and Compliance Policy (interim)) in the University of Arizona's International Travel Registry.
- Complete export control training as required by the Export Control Program.
Learn more about NSPM-33 and the background of Research Security and Undue Influence here.
Contact Information
Research Security Program | ResearchSecurity@arizona.edu
Taren Ellis Langford, Senior Director | tmellis@arizona.edu or (520) 626-8266
Brian Hillegonds, Assistant Director | brianhillegonds@arizona.edu or (520) 621-3511
Teresa Saeed, Program Coordinator | tsaeed@arizona.edu or (520) 621-2610