Research Security Definitions
Covered Individual – means an individual who – (A) contributes in a substantive, meaningful way to the scientific development or execution of a research and development project proposed to be carried out with a research and development award from a Federal research agency; and (B) is designated as a covered individual by the Federal research agency concerned. (See: 42 USC § 19237(1)).
Foreign Country of Concern – means the People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or any other countyr determined to be a country of concern by the Secretary of State. (See: 42 USC § 19237(2)).
Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program – Below is the statutory definition of a “Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program” or “MFTRP” as defined in § 10638 (4) of the CHIPS and Science Act (42 USC § 19237 (4)).
The term "malign foreign talent recruitment program" means—
(A) any program, position, or activity that includes compensation in the form of cash, in-kind compensation, including research funding, promised future compensation, complimentary foreign travel, things of non de minimis value, honorific titles, career advancement opportunities, or other types of remuneration or consideration directly provided by a foreign country at any level (national, provincial, or local) or their designee, or an entity based in, funded by, or affiliated with a foreign country, whether or not directly sponsored by the foreign country, to the targeted individual, whether directly or indirectly stated in the arrangement, contract, or other documentation at issue, in exchange for the individual—(i) engaging in the unauthorized transfer of intellectual property, materials, data products, or other nonpublic information owned by a United States entity or developed with a Federal
research and development award to the government of a foreign country or an entity based in, funded by, or affiliated with a foreign country regardless of whether that government or entity provided support for the development of the intellectual property, materials, or data products;
(ii) being required to recruit trainees or researchers to enroll in such program, position, or activity;
(iii) establishing a laboratory or company, accepting a faculty position, or undertaking any other employment or appointment in a foreign country or with an entity based in, funded by, or affiliated with a foreign country if such activities are in violation of the standard terms and conditions of a Federal
research and development award;
(iv) being unable to terminate the foreign talent recruitment program contract or agreement except in extraordinary circumstances;
(vi) being required to apply for and successfully receive funding from the sponsoring foreign government’s funding agencies with the sponsoring foreign organization as the
recipient;
(viii) being required to not disclose to the
Federal research agency or employing institution the participation of such individual in such program, position, or activity; or
(ix) having a conflict of interest or conflict of commitment contrary to the standard terms and conditions of the Federal
research and development award; and
(B)a program that is sponsored by—(ii) an academic institution on the list developed under section 1286(c)(8) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (
10 U.S.C. 2358 note;
Public Law 115–232); or
(iii) a foreign talent recruitment program on the list developed under section 1286(c)(9) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (
10 U.S.C. 2358 note;
1 Public Law 115–232).
