Research security
The University of Victoria benefits greatly from research partnerships of all types. These partnerships allow our faculty members and researchers to advance their research and help solve worldwide issues through collaboration and innovation. Some research partnerships may have risks associated with them, and it is important for faculty members and researchers to understand and mitigate these potential risks. UVic is country-agnostic and will uphold principles of research security to ensure and maintain academic freedom and access to global talent.
Research Security Unit (RSU)
We have established a Research Security Unit (RSU) at UVic that serves to protect our intellectual property and infrastructure, promote awareness of and provide education in research security, and help foster domestic and international partnerships. The RSU can help with:
- Review of all security applications associated with Tri-Council funding
- Review of Sponsored Research Agreements involving foreign partners
- Host workshops and provide training on research security
- Provide assistance in partnership assessments for faculty
- Provide research security travel tips
Latest news
August 9, 2024: Relevant funding programs in the US and Canada include malign foreign talent recruitment programs (MFTRP) as one of their research security considerations. In general, foreign talent recruitment programs are used by foreign governments or foreign entities to recruit researchers and students into priority fields. Some foreign talent recruitment programs are considered ‘malign’ if they require researchers to participate in certain unethical or unlawful activities that can pose a risk to national security. Participation in a MFTRP could lead to a conflict of interest or conflict of commitment, and is prohibited under United States federal granting agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). Certain MFTRPs could also impact eligibility for Canadian funding programs, such as those administered by the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities. For more details about MFTRP, please visit FAQ 8 and the Guidelines for Federal Research Agencies Regarding Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs.
January 16, 2024: The Government of Canada announced the new Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) to protect Canada’s research while keeping its research ecosystem as open and collaborative as possible. Briefly, for any grant application from a university that aims to advance a sensitive technology research area, research team members involved in the activities supported by the grant must not be affiliated with, or in receipt of funding or in-kind support, from a university, research institution, or laboratory connected to military, national defence, or state security entities that could pose a risk to Canada’s national security. For such applications, applicants will also be required to attest to their compliance with the policy. This new policy comes into effect by May 1, 2024. More details here: FAQ for the new Policy on STRAC
February 14, 2023: The Federal Government issued a statement which indicated that CFI, SSHRC, NSERC and CIHR will be implementing new measures to ensure that grant applications proposing to conduct research in sensitive areas will not be funded if any of the researchers working on the project are affiliated with a university, research institute or laboratory connected to military, national defence or state security entities of foreign state actors that pose a risk to our national security. Read more: Statement from Minister Champagne, Minister Duclos and Minister Mendicino on protecting Canada's research
Know your partner
It is paramount to build research partnerships with trusted partner organizations. Due diligence analysis is a great first step when exploring any research partnership opportunity. The published Open Source Due Diligence Guide and the Risk Assessment Form are useful tools when conducting due diligence on potential research partners. For example, one may check for the existence of the company, its corporate structure, foreign ownership, partnerships and joint ventures, history of IP disputes and illegal activities, and relevant sanctions. When potential risks are identified during due diligence exercise, one will be able to define the risk mitigation strategies applicable to the partnership. Some open sources worth checking include free databases, subscription databases, corporate websites, news releases, court records, SEC filings and social media posts.
Some helpful databases include:
- UVic Library's Nexis Uni Database
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's EDGAR Database
- Canada's Business Registries
- OpenCorporates
- SanctionsExplorer
- Consolidated Screening List (CSL)
- Canada Sanctions List
- U.S. Sanctions List
- UK Sanctions List
- Canadian Legal Information Institute Database
- Canadian Patents Database
- U.S. Patent Public Search
- Google Patents
- Scopus
- Other open source intelligence tools
FAQ
- Researchers are encouraged to conduct due diligence on potential research partners before pursuing any research partnership opportunity. The guidance from the Government of Canada on conducting open-source due diligence is useful in this regard. The Risk Assessment Form and available open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools, such as free databases, are useful when conducting due diligence analysis. The RSU can also support researchers in conducting due diligence, especially when the research project involves leveraging a federal research funding program (e.g. NSERC Alliance) and/or international research partnership.
- Researchers are also encouraged to take the Research Security Training Courses designed by the Government to better equip Canadian researchers with the knowledge and resources to protect their research. Completing these self-paced online courses could also serve as one of the risk mitigation strategies that can be cited in the Risk Assessment Form when submitting grant applications.
- Researchers will benefit from attending workshops, webinars and conferences aimed at raising awareness on research security. From time to time, the RSU will share information on these kinds of events to the UVic research community.
The Risk Assessment Form is required by certain federal funding programs as part of the implementation of the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships. Typically, funding applications on research projects involving partnership with organizations from the private sector will require a completed Risk Assessment Form. For further clarification, please consult the specific requirements of the funding program being pursued.
An Attestation Form is required when applying for federal funding from applicable programs of NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC and CFI on projects that aim to advance any of the listed Sensitive Technology Research Areas. Only researchers with named roles in the grant application (e.g. applicant, co-applicant and collaborator) will need to individually complete the Attestation Form to confirm that they do not have an active affiliation nor receive funding or in-kind support from any entity on Canada's list of Named Research Organizations (NRO). The lead applicant will compile all signed Attestation Forms for submission to the funding agency.
Consult the following websites to learn more about the funding programs covered by these policies.
A malign foreign talent recruitment program (MFTRP) is a recruitment program administered by an entity in a foreign country, the ultimate objective of which is to acquire scientific research or intellectual properties, either unethically or unlawfully, in order to advance the interests or strategic objectives of a foreign government of concern. This is oftentimes to the detriment of Canada’s national security. Briefly, MFTRP involves recruiting researchers with expertise in relevant research areas and offering them with cash or in-kind compensation in exchange for efforts such as the following:
- Engaging in unauthorized transfer of intellectual property (IP), materials, data or non-public information
- Utilizing or commercializing in a foreign country the intellectual properties that originated from Canadian research without respecting the Canadian institution’s IP policy
- Establishing a laboratory or company in a foreign country that ultimately competes with Canadian institution’s programs or research initiatives
- Refraining participants from disclosing to their employing institution or federal research agency their participation in MFTRP
- Recruiting others to join the MFTRP
From the UVic context, the researcher’s participation in MFTRP could lead to a conflict of interest or conflict of commitment. It could also limit the researcher from participating in international research collaborations supported by a federal research agency that requires non-participation in MFTRP as one of the conditions for obtaining research funding. Examples of such federal research agencies are the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DoE) in the US. For more details, please see the Guidelines for Federal Research Agencies Regarding Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs. Moreover, not disclosing their participation or the support they received from MFTRP could affect the researcher's eligibility to receive funding and participate in research projects supported by the Province of Ontario's Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
Researchers are encouraged to follow best practices when exploring participation in foreign talent programs.
Researchers are recommended to consult at least the following resources before travelling:
More FAQs on NSGRP
- FAQ: National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP)
- FAQ: Tri-agency Guidance on the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP)
- FAQ: CFI Guidance on the NSGRP Risk Assessment Form
More FAQs on STRAC
Resources/forms
Government/funding agency policies
- National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships
- Canada's Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC)
- Canada's List of Sensitive Technology Research Areas
- Canada's List of Named Research Organizations (NRO)
- Tri-agency Guidance on Research Security
- CFI Guidance on Research Security
- Mitacs Guidance on Research Security
- Guide to Canada's Export Control List
- Global Affairs Canada's Export Controls Resources
- Canada's Export Controls and Implications to Research
- Policy Statement on Securing Canada's Telecommunications System
Forms
- Risk Assessment Form (PDF version)
- Attestation Form for NSERC, CIHR and SSHRC Proposals
- Attestation Form for CFI Proposals
- STRAC Affiliation Questionnaire
Research security resources
- Foreign Interference in Academia and Research
- Conducting Open Source Due Diligence
- Tools for Open Source Due Diligence
- Research Security Training Courses
- Safeguarding Your Research
- International Research Security Resources
- G7 Best Practices for Secure and Open Research
- Research Security Best Practices and Case Studies
- Information Security Tips
- Research Security Advisory - Engaging with CSIS
- CSIS Guidance on Protecting Your Research
Travel guides
- Travel Security Guide for University Researchers and Staff
- International Travel and Data Security
- UVic Quick Reference Travel Guide
- CSIS Travel Security Guide
- CSIS Cyber and Espionage Threats Travel Handout
Tidbits for startups
Events/webinars
Upcoming events
What: Safeguarding Science: Raising awareness of security risks and mitigation tools in the research ecosystem
When: October 24, 2024, 1:00pm to 2:00pm PST
Where: ECS 660
Speaker: Mr. Nigel Fitch, Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
RSVP by October 21st, 2024 to researchsecurity@uvic.ca
What: Safeguarding Science Module 1
When: Select one from the following sessions
- October 22nd, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT - Register (October 22)
- November 5th, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT - Register (November 5)
- December 3rd, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT - Register (December 3)
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
What: Dual-Use Technologies: Know Your Research – Know your Partners - Assess the Risk (Safeguarding Science Module 2)
When: Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, 10:00am to 11:00am PST -- Register through Public Safety
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
What: Demystifying the International Student Immigration Process (Safeguarding Science Module 3)
When: Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, 10:00am to 11:00am PST - Register through Public Safety
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
What: Know before you Export: Canada’s Export and Brokering Controls (Safeguarding Science Module 4)
When: Tuesday, December 10th, 2024, 10:00am to 11:00am PST - Register through Public Safety
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
What: Dual-Use Technologies: Know Your Research – Know your Partners - Assess the Risk (Safeguarding Science Module 2)
When: Select one from the following sessions
- May 17th, 10:00am to 11:00am PDT
- June 11th, 10:00am to 11:00am PDT
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
Contact researchsecurity@uvic.ca to obtain the registration link
What: Demystifying the International Student Immigration Process (Safeguarding Science Module 3)
When: Select one from the following sessions
- May 21st, 10:00am to 11:00am PDT
- June 18th, 10:00am to 11:00am PDT
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
Contact researchsecurity@uvic.ca to obtain the registration link
What: IP Protection: Basics of Patenting
When: June 26, 2024 at 10:00AM - 11:00AM PDT
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided upon RSVP)
Speaker: Carsten Grellmann, Patent Lawyer, Klarquist Sparkmann
RSVP by June 21st to researchsecurity@uvic.ca
What: CFI Webinar: Policy on Sensitive Technology Research & Affiliations of Concern
When: Select one from the following sessions:
- May 27th, 8:00am to 9:30am PDT
- May 31st, 8:00am to 9:30am PDT
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: CFI
What: Tri-Agency Webinar: Policy on Sensitive Technology Research & Affiliations of Concern
When: Select one from the following sessions
- May 6th, 8:00am to 9:30am PDT (French)
- May 9th, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT (English)
- May 28th, 8:00am to 9:30am PDT (English)
- May 30th, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT (French)
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: Tri-Agency (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR)
What: Safeguarding Science Workshop (Module 1)
When: Select one from the following sessions
- May 2nd, 2024, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT
- May 14th, 2024, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT
- July 9th, 2024, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT
- August 7th, 2024, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT
- September 17th, 2024 10:00am to 11:30am PDT
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
What: Know before you Export: Canada’s Export and Brokering Controls (Safeguarding Science Module 4)
When: Select one from the following sessions
- May 24th, 10:00am to 11:00am PDT
- June 6th, 10:00am to 11:00am PDT
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
Contact researchsecurity@uvic.ca to obtain the registration link
What: Canada's Export Controls and Implications to Academic Research
When: April 15th, 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Speakers:
- Marcus Tsao, Senior Policy Analyst, Export Controls Policy Division, Global Affairs Canada
- Serge Stang, Senior Policy Officer, Export Controls Operations Division, Global Affairs Canada
- Ryan Petrusenko, Technical Officer, Export Controls Policy Division, Global Affairs Canada
RSVP by April 8th to researchsecurity@uvic.ca
What: Safeguarding Science Workshop (Module 1)
When: Select one from the following sessions
- February 12, 2024 @ 9:30AM - 11:00AM PST (English)
- 13 février 2024 @ 10:30AM - 12:00PM HNP (Français)
- February 14, 2024 @ 10:00AM - 11:30AM PST (English)
- February 15, 2024 @ 10:00AM - 11:30AM PST (English)
- 19 février 2024 @ 8:00AM - 9:30AM HNP (Français)
- February 20, 2024 @ 1:00PM - 2:30PM PST (English)
- February 21, 2024 @ 6:30AM - 8:00AM PST (English)
- 22 février 2024 @ 8:00AM - 9:30AM HNP (Français)
- 28 février 2024 @ 10:30AM - 12:00PM HNP (Français)
- February 29, 2024 @ 10:30AM - 12:00PM PST (English)
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
Contact researchsecurity@uvic.ca to obtain the registration link
What: Cybersecurity for Researchers: Research Data Management and Storage
When: January 29, 2024 at 3:00PM to 4:30PM PST
Where: Hybrid - ECS Room 660 (in-person attendees) and Teams (virtual attendees; link to be provided upon RSVP)
Speakers: Ryan McRonald, UVic Research Computing Services
Dr. Sarah Huber, UVic Research Computing Services
Shahira Khair, UVic Libraries
RSVP by January 22nd to researchsecurity@uvic.ca
When: January 25, 2024 at 4:00PM to 5:30PM PST
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided to participants upon RSVP)
Speakers: Mr. Matthew Pal, Consulate General of Canada in Guangzhou
Mr. Anthony Finch, Consulate General of Canada in Guangzhou
RSVP by January 18th to researchsecurity@uvic.ca
What: Safeguarding Science
When: November 9, 2023 at 10:00 - 11:30AM PST
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided to participants upon RSVP)
Speaker: Mr. Nigel Fitch, Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
RSVP by November 3rd to engr.ilo@uvic.ca
What: Overview of the Research Security Centre
When: June 27, 2023 at 10:00AM PST
Where: Engineering & Computer Science (ECS) Room 660
Speaker: Public Safety Canada
RSVP by June 23rd to researchsecurity@uvic.ca