International Collaboration, Research, and Study

Transcript:International Collaboration, Research, and Study:
International Collaboration, Research, and Study Issues and concerns related to Export Compliance INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY Conflict of Interest in Research Invention Reporting Visiting Scholars Identify Foreign Components Specific Sponsor Requirements Travel Policy Conflict of Commitment Restricted Party Screenings Exports Controls Sponsor Disclosure Requirements Outgoing Subaward Prior Approval Other Support Recent coverage: Statement by: Christopher Wray Director Federal Bureau of Investigation July 2020 Professor at a U.S. university received $50,000 per month and living expenses from Wuhan University of Technology and a contract to work 9 months a year. U.S. government employee signed an undisclosed talent program contract with a foreign institution. Researcher founded a U.S. company and applied for DOE and NSF grants to fund research; some research had already been completed in China, including via researcher’s own “Satellite Lab.” Student was a lieutenant in the People’s Liberation Army and sent research documents and information to China. Scientist stole 21 vials of biological research and attempted to smuggle to China. Risks Integrity of the Research Enterprise Violations of responsible and ethical conduct of research Actions that undermine peer review and grant award processes National Security Hidden diversions of research and/or resources that threaten U.S. leadership in emerging science and technology Economic Security Hidden diversions of research and/or resources that weaken the innovation base and threaten economic competitiveness “This important [JASON] report underscores the need for a robust, coordinated approach to strengthen the integrity and security of the U.S. research enterprise.” - OSTP Director Kelvin Droegemeier in a news release: NSF releases JASON report on research security, December 11, 2019. National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Joint Committee on Research Environments (JCORE) created new Subcommittee on Research Security (SRS) whose, “focus [is] on coordinating Federal efforts to effectively communicate and provide outreach to academic and research institutions, develop guidance and best practices for academic and research institutions, and standardize conflict of interest and commitment disclosure requirements and enforcement.” White House science advisor Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier has sought nation-wide visits to leading universities and research institutes to discuss research security and development of more uniform guidelines and rules across all federal funding agencies NSF Director France Cordova’s letter stressed new agency emphasis on full and complete disclosures of all foreign interests and affiliations by investigators seeking NSF funding Dr. Thomas Butler was Vanderbilt-trained physician and infectious disease scholar at Texas Tech Medical School Had over 170 published peer-reviewed papers and book chapters Widely