Undue Foreign Influence: Risks and Mitigations

In this introductory module, learners explore key concepts related to claims of undue foreign influence on the U.S. academic and research environment, including publicly voiced concerns of federal funding agencies, federal law enforcement, and Congress. The module begins with an overview of the significance of openness in the academic environment. It then provides a brief overview of U.S. government concerns about issues at the intersection of research integrity, national security, international collaborations, and open scientific inquiry. It concludes with a review of specific areas of concern to federal funding agencies, federal law enforcement, lawmakers, and regulators

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 20161 (English)
Author(s): Marci Copeland, MBA - University of California; Wayne Mowery, Jr, Esq - University of Alaska

U.S. government lawmakers, federal agencies, and media have highlighted with increased frequency concerns about undue foreign influence directed at the U.S. research enterprise. In response to these U.S. government-driven concerns and actions, federal grant making agencies and U.S.-based universities have begun revisiting their policies that address reporting obligations, research security protocols, and conflict of interest and conflict of commitment practices. Reporting, transparency, and accountability are among the chief themes of federal and university strategies to minimize the risks of inappropriate non-U.S. threats that can distort and compromise the U.S. research enterprise. In this module, learners will explore reporting requirements for researchers, institutions, and federal agencies to manage undue foreign influence risk. In addition, they will learn about: the concept of research integrity and how undue foreign influence conflicts with its principles; research integrity violations and consequences of harmful behaviors attributed to foreign influence; and U.S. government actions and effective university practices that address undue foreign influence.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 20162 (English)
Author(s): Allen A. DiPalma, MBA - The University of Pittsburgh

Most, if not all research is stored or processed on computers connected to the world through the internet. While advancements in computing have led to rapid scientific breakthroughs, these powerful tools also represent a significant vulnerability. Cyber-adversaries, especially state sponsored actors, have recognized this vulnerability and sought to exploit it. The federal government, recognizing these risks, has set new and more specific cybersecurity requirements on research awards to protect the investment of taxpayer dollars in scientific research. In this module, learners will explore these topics and identify cybersecurity practices that can help them protect their research. Critical to compliance, the module also covers key federal security and control regulations and data privacy laws applicable to federally funded research activities.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 20163 (English)
Author(s): Mary Duarte Millsaps, CRA, ECoP® (ITAR & EAR) - Purdue University

When developing strategies to address the risks of undue foreign interference within the academic research environment, personnel at educational and research institutions should be mindful of potential unintended consequences for the diverse, globalized communities of students, scholars, and scientists. In particular, they should guard against steps that might constitute inappropriate discriminatory measures or behavior. Such steps contradict the principles of mutual respect and openness central to the university culture of free inquiry, are destructive to healthy workplace norms, and could result in formal legal liabilities. In this module, learners will explore the occasional tension between nondiscrimination goals or laws and certain technology control and security requirements. To that end, the module presents key laws governing disparate or discriminatory treatment in educational and employment settings and outlines potential strategies to ensure that compliance with citizenship- or nationality-based control requirements does not create unexpected conflicts with nondiscrimination laws.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 20164 (English)
Author(s): J. Patrick Briscoe, BA, JD - University of Minnesota