Federal Agency Updates

DoD Research Security Guidelines

DoD implemented new guidelines to evaluate risk and establish risk mitigation measures for fundamental research projects. Under these guidelines:

• Researchers’ eligibility for DoD funding may be impacted or require mitigation if they have certain international collaborators or co-authors.
• Equipment from certain international organizations may be prohibited on DoD project.

What does this mean for DoD researchers?

DoD prohibits:

• Certain collaborations: Collaboration on DoD fundamental research projects with an institution (or their employees) on any Prohibited Entity List. The Prohibited Entity Lists are published and updated by DoD.
  • Contact [email protected] for assistance screening potential collaborations.

• Certain equipment: DoD funding used to conduct fundamental research in collaboration with or using equipment from any entity named on a Prohibited Entity List.
  • A question has been added in RAMP (at both pre-award and award) regarding equipment for DoD projects.
  • If you are planning to purchase or use any supplies or equipment (excluding basic office equipment such as computers, laptops, printers), contact the research security team at [email protected] for assistance.

DoD requires mitigation measures if:

• Within the past five years, a covered individual’s co-authors on publications in science and engineering journals are affiliated with an entity on any Prohibited Entity List at the time of review.
• Within the past five years, a covered individual’s co-authors on publications in science and engineering journals are participating in a malign foreign talent recruitment program as defined by the CHIPS & Science Act.

To assist George Mason’s DoD research community:

• The research security team will proactively review publication histories of George Mason researchers funded by DoD or who apply for funding to assist with identifying restricted co-authors or funding in publications.
  • This will enable researchers to be aware of what DoD is reviewing and will help preemptively address any questions related to proposals that may be raised by DoD.
• The research security team will follow up with individual researchers if they have any questions or need clarification on a collaboration.
• The research security team will work with researchers to draft Mitigation Plans if they are required for a particular DoD project.

The research security office is committed to serving as a collaborative partner to assist researchers in navigating evolving DoD requirements. If you have any questions, please contact the research security office at [email protected].  

The research security office is sharing information on a recent NSF Dear Colleague Letter regarding prohibitions on collaborations with restricted entities. The Dear Colleague Letter details new restrictions that NSF intends to implement on October 1, 2026. These upcoming NSF research security rules may affect your eligibility for NSF funding if you have certain international collaborators, co-authors or foreign appointments.

The new restrictions include:

• NSF funds cannot be used if the purpose is to conduct research in collaboration with entities, or their employees, on various U.S. restricted party lists.
• Senior/key personnel are prohibited from collaborating with a restricted entity, or their employees, on NSF-funded projects.
• Senior/key personnel are prohibited from holding an appointment or position with, or receiving research support from, a restricted entity for the duration of the NSF award.

What does this mean for NSF researchers?

At the time of proposal submission, senior/key personnel will be required to certify that they are complying with this prohibition.

To assist George Mason’s NSF research community, the university’s research security team will begin proactively reviewing publication and affiliation histories of George Mason researchers currently funded by NSF (including those with pending proposals) to assist with identifying restricted collaborations or affiliations. This will enable researchers to be aware of what NSF will be reviewing and will help preemptively address any questions that may be raised by NSF. The research security team will follow up with individual researchers if they have any questions or need clarification on a collaboration or appointment.

The research security office will continue to monitor guidance from NSF and will provide any updates as they are announced. We remain committed to serving as a collaborative partner to assist researchers in navigating evolving NSF requirements. Please contact the research security office at [email protected] with any questions.