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

Federal funding agencies are requiring research security training for all covered individuals/key personnel listed on proposals. This includes: principal investigators (PIs), co-PIs, senior/key personnel, program directors (PDs), co-PDs, project managers, and anyone else identified in the funding proposal or award documents.

Agency timelines for implementation:

• Department of Energy (DOE) - Research Security training required to be completed for proposals submitted on or after May 1, 2025. 
• US Department of Agriculture (USDA) - The USDA announced the requirement for training on July 8th, 2025 (effective immediately). 
• National Science Foundation (NSF) - Research Security Training required for proposals submitted on or after October 10, 2025.

NDSU personnel can fulfill the requirement by completing one of the following courses within the 12 months before the application date:

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

Under the CHIPS and Science Act signed into law on August 9, 2022, federal funding agencies are required to establish an annual research security training requirement. Other federal agencies have not announced how or when they plan to comply with the research security training requirement, but are expected to implement similar policies later this year.  We highly recommend that all covered individuals applying for federal funding 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.