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 joined ACE and eleven other associations to send a letter to Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Peters of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs with concerns regarding S. 3997, the “Safeguarding American Innovation Act.
Letter from the AAU, APLU, AAMC and ACE sent to Senators Johnson and Peters, Chairman and Member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, regarding “The Safeguarding American Innovation Act” (S. 3997) prior to full committee consideration of the bill.
AAU, ACE, and 8 other higher education associations sent a letter to the seven chairs and ranking member of the House committees in follow up to the letter sent to Secretary DeVos on Section 117.
The FBI Office of Private Sector has put together an Academia Engagement Report (AER) entitled, “China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Continues to Abuse U.S. Intellectual Freedom to Advance Its Military Capabilities.”
An outline of current security control regimes including classified information, export controls, and controlled unclassified information (CUI).