Safeguarding International Science: Research Security Framework

Published

November 21, 2025

Author(s)

Gregory Strouse, Claire Saundry, Timothy Wood, Philip Bennett, Mary Bedner, Jeremy Schultz

Abstract

The U.S. science and research ecosystem retains its leadership by actively engaging with the global community through the conduct of mutually beneficial collaborative research and the welcoming of international scientists. Coupled with that, the national and economic security of the United States depends on effective risk management practices for organizations that engage in international collaborative research to protect against undue foreign influence and interference. The National Institute of Standards of Technology (NIST) Safeguarding Science Research Security Framework ("Framework") establishes guidance to assist the U.S. science and research community [e.g., U.S. Government (USG), academia, and industry] across the broad spectrum of international science and technology activities as well as Federal funding initiatives. This Framework is designed to enable organizations to implement a mission-focused, integrated, risk-balanced program through the application of research security principles and best practices that fosters the safeguarding of international science while mitigating risks to the integrity of the open collaborative environment. This Framework is a living document and will continue to be updated and improved as its users provide feedback on the implementation of review procedures or to address new or emerging risks. This will ensure it meets the needs of research security practitioners in a dynamic and challenging environment of new threats, risks, and creative solutions. This publication supersedes NIST Internal Report (IR) 8484 and adds a Research Security Risk Determination Matrix along with a discussion.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 8484r1

Report Number

8484r1

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8484r1

Local Download

Keywords

Checklists, CHIPS and Science Act, collaborations, export control, foreign influence, framework, NSM-10, NSPM-28, NSPM-33, research security, reviews, risk-balanced, safeguarding international science, safeguarding science, SBA SBIR/STIR Due Diligence, technology control plan, technology protection plan, research security risk determination matrix

Citation

Strouse, G. , Saundry, C. , Wood, T. , Bennett, P. , Bedner, M. and Schultz, J. (2025), Safeguarding International Science: Research Security Framework, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8484r1, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=960794 (Accessed November 22, 2025)