This topic will be discussed at the upcoming Grant Connections meeting on Wednesday, April 17. The presentation from that meeting can be found here.
While the University of Missouri strongly supports international
collaboration and values its partnerships with other organizations worldwide,
it is important that all researchers understand the current regulatory
landscape and the actions that researchers should take in light of this
reality.
In the past
few months, federal sponsors have expressed concerns about improper foreign
influence in U.S. academic research. Examples of this include a letter sent by Francis Collins, director of the
NIH, alerting the research community to “threats” from foreign entities, and
the FY19 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a
provision alluding to the restriction of federal funding to institutions doing
business with certain Chinese telecommunications companies.
As a result,
academic research institutions have a heightened awareness and interest in
understanding the relationships federally-funded researchers may have with
foreign governments or entities. Researchers should continue to exercise
transparency in disclosure of outside activities through the annual disclosure
of outside interests, in completing the NIH Other Support and NSF Current and
Pending and similar documentation submitted to other sponsors, and keep lines
of communication open with College-level and Campus leadership concerning any
foreign recruitment or “talent” programs.
The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration and the Office of Export Controls are committed to assisting faculty with these matters and ensuring the safety and security of our institutional resources. As questions arise, please reach out to OSPA or OEC for assistance.