Skip to main content

System Status: 

  1. Home
  2. Research and Innovation
  3. Research Security

Research Security Program

Last Updated: September 17, 2025 12:29:22 PM PDT
Give feedback

Multiple university offices collaborate on Research Security to promote innovation while protecting national security and intellectual property.

What is Research Security? 

As defined in the CHIPS & Science Act (2022), research security protects the research enterprise from activities that could threaten national security or economic competitiveness. In practice, this involves safeguarding U.S. research from unauthorized access, theft, and foreign interference. Since 2019, UC San Diego has formally reviewed various forms of foreign influence and guided faculty on research security matters. 

Research Security Program Components

Disclosure Management

Disclosure management facilitates transparency about researchers’ affiliations and financial interests. Researchers must disclose outside activities and interests to comply with U.S. federal regulations. 

TO LEARN MORE: Visit the Conflict of Interest Office webpage.

Conflict of Commitment: https://aps.ucsd.edu/tools/uc-oats/index.html  

Conflict of Interest: https://blink.ucsd.edu/sponsor/coi/disclosing/index.html 

Travel Security

International travel can place researchers at risk both of theft of research data and for personal safety. All faculty, staff, and students traveling internationally travel for University purposes should register their trip in CONCUR and/or UCAWAY. 

TO LEARN MORE: Visit the International Travel Guidance webpage.

Required Research Security Training

Federal regulations, including the CHIPS and Science Act and forthcoming regulations anticipated in National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33), require covered individuals involved in federally funded research to complete research security training. Federal agencies are actively rolling out these training requirements. This training is accessible in your UC Learning portal.  

TO TAKE THE TRAINING:  Research Security at the University of California is available at this link for UC Learning (SSO required).

For the latest federal agency requirements for Research Security Training, please refer to the specific agency announcements below:  

NOTE: UC San Diego requires all personnel to complete training as required by federal agencies. In anticipation of additional agencies adopting similar requirements, UC San Diego will require all senior/key personnel on all new federal proposals submitted on or after January 1, 2026, to complete the research security training.

Export Controls

Export controls are federal regulations that limit the transfer and access of certain sensitive technologies, data, software, and materials and restrict engagements with individuals, organizations, and countries due to sanctions and embargoes. These regulations apply to all UC San Diego faculty, staff, and students’ international collaborations, travel, and the use of or development of controlled items in UC San Diego research. 

TO LEARN MORE: Visit the Export Control webpage.

Visiting Scholars

UC San Diego hosts many Visiting Scholars, domestic and international scholars who are not official University employees but require affiliation with the University to use its facilities and participate in its research activities and educational programs. Visiting Scholars are required by university policy and federal regulation to comply with all university, state, and federal regulations that University-employed researchers must follow. 

TO LEARN MORE: Visit the Visiting Scholars webpage. 

Cybersecurity

Protecting sensitive data through strong cybersecurity is crucial to safeguarding research.  UC San Diego supports a variety of cybersecurity needs according to contractual and regulatory obligations. 

TO LEARN MORE:  Visit the Security webpage of Personal Cybersecurity and Identity Protection Resources.

Additional Research Security-Related Topics

Guidance for International Activities and Collaborations

International collaborations are an essential element of the scientific enterprise, but also present risks of undue foreign influence. Collaborate internationally with confidence. Learn the key steps for successful global partnerships, from conducting risk assessments to meeting U.S. federal compliance requirements. 

TO LEARN MORE: Visit the International Research and Engagement webpage. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on International Research and Engagement. 

Countries of Concern

The U.S. State Department identifies China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia as ‘foreign countries of concern.’ Collaborations involving organizations owned or controlled by these countries are subject to increased oversight and scrutiny. 

Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs

Foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs aim to attract highly skilled professionals from other countries to boost their own economic and technological development. The CHIPS & Science Act mandates that federal agencies bar individuals involved in federally funded research from participating in Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs. The University of California will comply with all applicable federal agency policies. 

TO LEARN MORE: Visit UCOP's Research Policy Analysis and Coordination webpage on the Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs.

Restricted Party Screenings

The U.S. government restricts engagements with certain individuals or organizations. UC San Diego conducts Restricted Party Screenings to identify Parties subject to restrictions (Restricted Parties) and those with increased risk of restrictions (Parties of Concern).  

TO LEARN MORE: Visit the Restricted Party Screening webpage.

More Information?

COI Disclosure Management: info-coi@ucsd.edu

Guidance for International Activities: