The federal government, federal funding agencies, and universities are actively strengthening measures to safeguard federally funded research from foreign influence and misuse. 

Effective May 1, 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) began requiring research security training for all covered individuals listed on DOE applications. DOE designates as covered individuals any principal investigator (PI); project director (PD); co-principal investigator (Co-PI); co-project director (Co-PD); project manager; and any individual regardless of title that is functionally performing as a PI, PD, Co-PI, Co-PD, or project manager.  NDSU researchers can fulfill the requirement by completing  one of the following courses within 12 months of the application date:

• Research Security - (4 modules, ~ 4 hours)
• Research Security Training (Combined) - (1 module, ~ 1 hour)

Please make sure that you and all key personnel on your DOE application have completed the research security training before submitting the proposal.  DoE requires that you certify that you have completed the training via your Current and Pending Support Disclosure. 

Other federal agencies, such as NSF, and NIH, are expected to implement similar requirements later this year.  We highly recommend that all covered individuals complete this training in CITI as soon as possible.

For questions about the research security training requirements, please contact Sharon May, Export Control Administrator, or Kristy Shirley, Research Integrity, Security & Compliance Manager.