To ensure the widest possible dissemination of research results, universities focus most of their research on conducting basic research – research intended to be published openly in the scientific literature. There are some instances when universities engage in important defense-related, select agents, or other forms of dual-use research that requires compliance with specific security and/or other information controls. AAU works with its members and the government to ensure that security controls are appropriately applied and that a reasonable balance is maintained between the open dissemination of scientific knowledge and requirements that control scientific information to protect national security and for other reasons.
Body

As lawmakers consider measures related to securing federally funded research data and intellectual property, it is important to understand the current state of play for research security in the country to avoid new requirements that are duplicative, unnecessary, or counterproductive

Summary of relevant research security provisions in the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act.

AAU, AAMC, ACE, APLU, and COGR submitted a memorandum with joint comments to the National Science Foundation yesterday on standardized disclosure forms and materials created by the National Science and Technology Council as part of the Biden administration’s implementation of National Security Presidential Memorandum-33.

The resource list includes links to key terms, documents, and background materials relating to science and security issues.
Search Our Key Issues Library
Browse recent items or search for a specific topic or document.
AAU has joined in endorsing a letter sent by ACE in responding to a U.S. Department of Justice Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking the clarification and modernization of the implementing regulations for the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA).
Side-by-side comparison of provisions of interest in America COMPETES Act (H.R. 4521) and U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (S. 1260).
Analysis | National Science Foundation | Department of Energy | Science & Security | Immigration | Higher Education Regulation | Innovation and Competitiveness
AAU joined ACE and three other higher education associations in sending a letter to several members of Congress opposing Section 818, “Department of Defense (DOD) contractor professional training material disclosure requirements” included in the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act.
AAU joined with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) in submitting comments to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee as the House and Senate Committees work to finalize a conference agreement in the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
The Coalition for National Science Funding, which includes AAU, sent a letter to the directors of OMB and OSTP with a list of policy priorities for NSF funding for Fiscal Year 2023.