Research Security

Research at Northern Illinois University thrives through collaboration, innovation and the open exchange of ideas.

Research security helps protect the research enterprise while supporting responsible collaboration and compliance with federal requirements. It promotes transparency, safeguards research integrity and helps researchers navigate requirements related to disclosures, international activities, foreign influence and export controls.

The Office of Research Compliance, Integrity and Safety provides guidance and resources to help researchers conduct research safely and compliantly.

What Is Research Security?

Research security is the effort to protect research and scholarly activities from inappropriate foreign influence, theft of research, loss of intellectual property and other activities that may threaten the security and integrity of research. Research security programs help institutions meet federal requirements while maintaining an open and collaborative research environment.

Research security touches many aspects of research, including:

• Research disclosures and transparency requirements
• International collaborations and partnerships
• Foreign affiliations and outside activities
• Export controls
• International travel
• Research security training

As federal requirements continue to evolve, researchers play an important role in helping ensure compliance and protecting their work.

Why Does Research Security Matter?

Federal agencies expect institutions and researchers to provide complete and accurate information about research activities, collaborations and sources of support. These requirements help promote transparency and accountability while protecting the nation's research enterprise.

Research security helps:

• Safeguard data, information and intellectual property
• Support compliance with sponsor and regulatory requirements
• Promote transparency in research activities and collaborations
• Enable responsible international engagement and partnerships

NIU supports a research environment that is open, collaborative and welcoming to scholars from around the world while complying with applicable federal requirements.

What Can I Do to Protect My Research?

Researchers can help support research security by taking a few simple steps throughout the research lifecycle.

Complete Required Training

Stay informed about federal research security requirements and complete any required training associated with your research activities.

Keep Disclosures Current

Ensure outside activities, affiliations, collaborations, appointments and sources of support are disclosed as required by sponsors and university policies. Accurate and up-to-date disclosures are an important part of research transparency.

Researchers should review applicable disclosure requirements related to:

• Outside consulting and other professional activities (Office of the Provost: Outside Consulting)
• Conflict of Interest (COI) disclosures (Office of Ethics and Compliance: Conflicts of Interest)
• Conflicts of Interest involving research
• Proposal submissions and sponsor disclosure requirements (Sponsored Programs Administration: Proposal Resources)
• Biosketches, Current and Pending Support and other proposal-related documentation (Sponsored Programs Administration: Training Resources)

Researchers are encouraged to review sponsor requirements carefully and update disclosures whenever circumstances change.

Consider International Activities Early

International research collaborations provide valuable opportunities for innovation and discovery. Before beginning a new international collaboration, consider any sponsor requirements, disclosure obligations or compliance considerations that may apply. 

Plan Ahead for International Travel 

NIU faculty, staff and students traveling internationally on university-related business or traveling with university owned property are required to register their travel through the university's travel registration system. Additional information regarding travel requirements, registration, safety resources and travel guidance is available through the Division of International Affairs Travel Information and Resources page. 

Ask Questions

Research security requirements can be complex and may vary by sponsor, project or activity. If you are unsure whether an activity requires disclosure or review, contact the Office of Research Compliance, Integrity and Safety for assistance.  

Countries of Concern

Certain federal laws and regulations identify countries that may require additional review or compliance considerations when conducting research activities or developing collaborations.

Depending on the applicable regulation, countries of concern may include, but are not limited to: 

• China
• Iran
• North Korea
• Russia

Different federal agencies and programs may use different definitions or lists. Researchers involved in activities with individuals, organizations or entities connected to countries of concern are encouraged to seek guidance early in the planning process.

NIU supports lawful international collaboration and opposes discrimination, prejudice and xenophobia in all forms. Research security requirements should be applied consistently and objectively in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and sponsor requirements.

Research Security Requirements

Research security requirements originate from a variety of federal laws, regulations, sponsor requirements and university policies.

Understanding these requirements helps researchers maintain compliance throughout the lifecycle of a project and supports the integrity of NIU's research enterprise.

Examples include:

• National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33)
• CHIPS and Science Act of 2022
• Federal Agency Disclosure Requirements
• Research Security Training Requirements
• Export Control Regulations
• Sponsor-Specific Terms and Conditions
• NIU Policies Related to Research Disclosures and Conflicts of Interest
• NIU's Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program Policy

As federal agencies continue implementing new requirements, NIU will provide updated guidance and resources to support the research community. 

Questions?

The Office of Research Compliance, Integrity and Safety is available to assist researchers with questions regarding research security, international collaborations, disclosures, export controls and sponsor requirements. 

Office of Research Compliance, Integrity and Safety
researchcompliance@niu.edu