The Research on Research Security Program

The Research on Research Security Program is administered by the National Science Foundation, an independent federal agency responsible for advancing scientific progress and supporting research and education across the United States. This program reflects NSF broader mission to protect and strengthen the U.S. research enterprise by addressing emerging risks related to research security. It is grounded in federal policy frameworks such as National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 and legislative directives from the CHIPS and Science Act, which collectively emphasize safeguarding research integrity and collaboration. The program is designed to support interdisciplinary, evidence based research that advances understanding of research security threats, policies, and practices. Its core objective is to establish and grow a formal academic field dedicated to research security, enabling institutions and policymakers to better understand vulnerabilities and implement effective safeguards. Projects funded under this program are expected to produce data, analytical frameworks, and actionable insights that inform decision making and strengthen national research systems. Funding supports a variety of proposal types, including conferences and workshops, planning grants, and early concept exploratory research awards. These project types are intended to foster collaboration and build foundational knowledge within the emerging field. Eligible research topics include identifying and mitigating research security risks, analyzing human behavior in relation to policy compliance, examining organizational and cultural influences, and exploring international aspects of research collaboration. Projects are encouraged to use rigorous empirical methods and to integrate diverse disciplinary perspectives. The program has an estimated total funding pool of two million dollars and anticipates making approximately eight awards. While specific award amounts per project are not defined, funding is expected to support activities that contribute meaningfully to advancing research security knowledge and practice. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity, allowing applicants to focus resources on research activities without additional financial obligations. Eligibility for the program is unrestricted, meaning it is open to a wide range of applicant types including institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, private sector entities, and other qualified research performing organizations. Applicants are expected to demonstrate the capability to conduct interdisciplinary research and are encouraged to form collaborations across sectors and with international partners when appropriate. This broad eligibility reflects the program goal of building a diverse and inclusive research community focused on security issues. Applications must be submitted as full proposals through either Research.gov or Grants.gov in accordance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide. There are no required pre application steps such as letters of intent. Proposals must include standard NSF components such as project descriptions, budgets, and supporting documentation. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review NSF research security resources and consult with program directors prior to submission to ensure alignment with program priorities. The application process operates on a rolling basis, with proposals accepted at any time and no fixed submission deadline. This continuous submission model allows applicants flexibility in preparing proposals. While specific award timelines and performance periods are not detailed, NSF typically uses a peer review process to evaluate proposals based on intellectual merit and broader impacts. General inquiries can be directed to the program email, and technical issues related to submission may be addressed through NSF grants support channels.

Emphasize interdisciplinary methods and evidence based research to address research security challenges