Home
Research Security Assurance

Research Security Assurance

Research Security Assurance Mission

The Research Security Office seeks to assure faculty, staff, students, sponsors of research and other creative activities, and other stakeholders (collectively, the "Research Community") of a research environment free from threats of those who wish to exploit IU's open and inclusive academic research environment.

RSO carries out this mission by:

engaging with the Research Community on topics related to research security;
monitoring for research security concerns;
and suggesting appropriate mitigation measures to the Research Community and IU leadership.

RSO seeks to be a trusted advisor to the Research Community and IU leadership. RSO does not approve or disapprove faculty/staff hiring, projects, collaborations, publications, proposals, travel, or the like.

Resources

Research Security Assurance Plan
(Includes footnotes)

Research Security Reviews and Risk Indicators

What Does RSO Review?

RSO reviews and provides input in a number of instances, including, but not limited to:

recruitment and visa sponsorship for both visiting scholars and faculty/staff (e.g., J-1, H-1B);
international travel;
sponsored awards;
potential conflicts of interest/commitment; and
international engagement.

Research Security Risk Reviews

A "research security risk" means an increased likelihood that research and development efforts or results will be misappropriated to the detriment of to the detriment of national or economic security, as well as related violations of research integrity and foreign government interference. RSO conducts reviews in various situations to mitigate research security risks. RSO seeks to work with the Research Community to mitigate research security risks in a way that maximizes the scope and impact of research and creative activities by the Research Community.

Visiting Scholars

When an IU faculty or staff member seeks to sponsor a J-1 visa for a visiting scholar through IU, RSO is notified by the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs (OVPIA) and conducts a review for research security risks.

Faculty/Staff Hires

RSO serves as a resource to hiring managers, school leadership, and other University stakeholders recruiting faculty and staff positions, and conducts reviews for research security risks on an as-requested basis.

International Travel

RSO receives reports from the IU Chrome River travel system indicating international travel requests. RSO reviews travel for research security risks and advises travelers, as well as school leadership and other University stakeholders.

Conflicts of Interest/Commitment

RSO monitors for research security risks posed by potential undisclosed conflicts of interest/commitment ("Conflicts") through various means, including, but not limited to, review of publications, non-U.S. patent filings, and disclosures of Conflicts by IU personnel pursuant to Policy UA-17.

International Engagement

When new primary or sub-agreements with international institutions are considered by Office of the Vice President for International Affairs (OVPIA), RSO is notified and advises OVPIA of any research security risks.

Potential Research Security Risk Indicators

In its reviews, RSO looks for potential research security risk indicators ("PRI").

Indiana University prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

None of the foregoing may be used as a PRI in the course of RSO reviews. RSO is committed to upholding Policy UA-01, Non-Discrimination/Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action. RSO seeks to use publicly available, reliable, and objective information sources when determining the existence of a PRI.

Potential Research Security Risk Indicators (PRIs)

Failure to make full disclosure in proposals for federal or other sponsored awards, including, but not limited to, inclusion of current and pending support, other research support, and a complete biosketch
Individuals or entities sanctioned by United States Government or collaboration/association therewith
Involvement in STEM field or with Critical and Emerging Technologies
Individuals or entities listed on U.S. Department of Defense list of entities engaging in "problematic activity" or collaboration/association therewith
Entities based in or existing under the laws of a "foreign country of concern" or collaboration/association therewith
Individuals or entities with evidence of cooperation, affiliation, or association with government of a foreign country of concern or collaboration/association therewith
Indicators of participation in a malign foreign talent recruitment program
Filing patent application in a foreign country of concern or filing in any other country prior to filing in the United States

Research Security Office

Research Security Assurance