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.
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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.
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AAU and APLU have laid out "Principles and Values to Guide Actions Relevant to Foreign Government Interference in University Research."
AAU joined APLU, ACE, and AAMC to send a letter to Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Chairman Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking Member Risch (R-ID) expressing our opposition to Section 138 of the Strategic Competition Act (S. 1169).
Section 223 of the FY21 version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) addresses disclosure of funding sources in applications for federal research and development awards.
AAU joined ACE and 18 other organizations to send a letter to acting Education Secretary Philip Rosenfelt to request a meeting to discuss the requirements for foreign gift and contract reporting under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act.
"AAU, along with the American Council on Education, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and the Council on Governmental Relations, submitted this memorandum to the Office of Science and Technology Policy, requesting a comment period for stakeholders to review the “Presidential Memorandum on United States Government-Supported Research and Development National Security Policy (NSPM-33)” and “Recommended Practices for Strengthening the Security and Integrity of America’s Science and Technology Research Enterprise."