Many sponsors are implementing research security requirements for applicants and awarded researchers.
Always confirm that the information below aligns with the sponsor’s latest requirements before submitting a proposal or annual certification.
Table of Contents
- DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- DOD – Department of Defense
- DOE – Department of Energy
- NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- NIH – National Institutes of Health
- NSF – National Science Foundation
- USDA – United States Department of Agriculture
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Agency Guidance
DAPRA Risk Assessment Model: Fundamental Research Risk-Based Security Review Process (pdf) and DARPA Countering Foreign Influence Program (pdf)
Department of Defense (DOD)
Agency Guidance
DOD Risk Assessment Model: Countering Unwanted Foreign Influence in Department-Funded Research at Institutions of Higher Education (pdf) and DOD Controlled Unclassified Information Guidance
Department of Energy (DOE)
Research Security Training
See the Research Security Training Policy for sponsor-specific training requirements.
Agency Certifications and Disclosures
Pre-Award:
Post-Award:
- If information submitted on TFC has changed, submit an updated document.
- Some awards require TFC as part of continuation application.
WashU Proposal Certifications
- WashU General Assurance Statement
- WashU’s DOE 142.3b Foreign National Certification Form
- WashU’s DOE 486.1a FGTRP Certification Form
Prior Approval Guidance & Prohibitions
Foreign Government Sponsored Or Affiliated Activities and FAQs, Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities: Individuals are prohibited from participating in Foreign Talent Programs of a Foreign Country of Risk
Unclassified Foreign National Access Program: requires prior approval for foreign national requests for access to DOE sites, information, or technologies
Agency Guidance
- DOE Office of Science Laboratory Policy Research Security
- DOE Directive on Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs
- DOE Directive on Unclassified Foreign National Access Program
- DOE Request for Unclassified Foreign National Access
- DOE Risk Assessment Model: DOE Approach to RTES Risk
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Prior Approval Guidance & Prohibitions
Special Restrictions for Non-U.S. Organizations – see section 2.2.1: In general, research with foreign organizations shall not be conducted through grants or cooperative agreements; and according to section 526 of PL 117-103, NASA is prohibited from funding any work that involves the bilateral participation, collaboration, or coordination with China or any Chinese-owned company.
WashU Proposal Certifications
Agency Guidance
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Research Security Training
See the Research Security Training Policy for sponsor-specific training requirements.
Certifications
Effective for for application due dates and RPPR submissions on or after January 25, 2026.
Pre-Award: Each senior/key personnel member must certify that they are not party to a malign foreign talent recruitment program. This is collected on Biographical Sketch.
Post-Award: Every year at the time of RPPR, senior/key personnel must upload a statement in Section G.1 that certifies participation or non-participation in a malign foreign talent recruitment program.
Sponsor requirement: NIH’s Implementation of Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2026 (NOT-OD-26-018)
Review the MFTRP section on the Guidance for Foreign Talent Programs page for more information on MFTRPs.
Prior Approval Requirements
Applications with Foreign Components: any activities that meet the definition of a foreign component, need prior approval
Agency Guidance
- NIH Guidance on Investigator Disclosures of Foreign Financial Interest (NOT-OD-18-160)
- NIH Foreign Interference
- NIH Risk Assessment Model: NIH Decision Matrix (pdf)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Research Security Training
See the Research Security Training Policy for sponsor-specific training requirements.
Certifications
Pre-Award: Each senior/key personnel member must certify that they are not party to a malign foreign talent recruitment program.
Post-Award: PIs and Co-PIs on awards made on or after May 20, 2024 must complete an annual certification about involvement in a malign foreign talent recruitment program.
Agency Guidance
- NSF Research Security
- NSF Report on Fundamental Research Security
- NSF Report Safeguarding the Research Enterprise
- NSF Risk Assessment Model: NSF TRUST Risk Assessment/Mitigation Framework
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Research Security Training
See the Research Security Training Policy for sponsor-specific training requirements.
Certification and Disclosures
Pre-Award
- Research security training has been completed no more than one year prior to application date.
- Not party to malign foreign talent recruitment program.
- Many other certifications and disclosures are required by the USDA. Review the sponsor requirement for full details.
Post-Award
- Annual certification required to confirm they are not party to a malign foreign talent recruitment program.
- Annual update of additional certifications and disclosures.