Office of Research Integrity and Assurance

Federal Agency Updates

Federal Agency Updates

Federal agency research security guidance continues to evolve. This page will be updated periodically with updates to agency requirements that affect George Mason University’s research community.

If you are preparing a proposal for a federal sponsor and have questions about current research security requirements, please consult your college pre-award research administrator or GMU OSP for guidance to ensure that all applicable requirements are met prior to your submission deadline.

For other questions on research security guidelines, please contact the RSP team at [email protected].

Department of Defense

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.
  • 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].  
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