New NSF Training Requirements and Other Research Security Reminders

As shared by Mary Millsaps, Director of Research Compliance, via the July 16 email:

The U.S. National Science Foundation will make Research Security training mandatory effective Oct. 10. NC State has developed a REPORTER course that meets the training requirements.

On July 10, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy (OCRSSP) sent a notice to inform awardee organizations of several key policy changes — including Mandatory Research Security Training, effective Oct. 10, 2025.

In anticipation of this new NSF policy and to meet similar requirements already in place for awardees of the U.S. Department of Energy, NC State’s Research Education and Training team has developed a new course that meets the mandated requirements. The Research Security training course can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. For those who wish to get a head start and complete the required training before the NSF’s Oct. 10 implementation date, the course is available through REPORTER.

Visit this webpage for more information about the new requirements.

Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs

In addition to announcing the new mandatory Research Security training, the NSF’s July 10 email included a reminder about one other policy that’s important to remain aware of. On at least an annual basis, all senior personnel on NSF-funded research projects must certify that they’re prohibited from participating in malign foreign talent recruitment programs.

To learn more about the NSF’s Annual Certification Requirement Regarding Prohibition on Participation in Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs, which is already in effect, visit this webpage.

Additional Information

NC State is currently awaiting further guidance from other federal funding agencies, but all federal funding agencies will soon require Research Security training.

The Research Compliance Office will follow up with those affected by the NSF’s new Research Security training requirements.

Register for Research Security training
Learn more about Research Security training requirements
Learn more about Malign FTRPs