RSP Standards & Guidelines

A Presidential Memorandum issued in January 2021 to strengthen protections of U.S. Government-supported R&D against foreign government interference and exploitation. It focuses on ensuring full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest and commitment by recipients of federal R&D and requires research institutions receiving over $50 million in federal R&D funding to certify they operate a research security program covering cybersecurity, foreign travel security, insider threat awareness, and export control training. As of November 2025, federal agencies continue to coordinate and work to implement this requirement for awardee institutions.

A supplement to NSPM-33 outlining recommendations for research organizations to enhance research security and integrity. Categories include: Demonstrate organizational leadership and oversight; Establish an expectation of openness and transparency; Provide and share training, support, and information; Ensure effective mechanisms for compliance with organizational policies; and Manage potential risks associated with collaborations and data.

A January 2022 report by the White House OSTP/NSTC Research Security Subcommittee providing additional details on 1.) Disclosure Requirements and Standardization 2.) Persistent Identifiers 3.) Consequences for Violation of Disclosure Requirements 4.) Information Sharing and 5.) Research Security Programs. Largely superseded by the final July 9, 2024 guidelines.

A summary document issued by COGR in January 2022 that highlights key points of the Guidance for Implementing NSPM-33 Provisions.

Draft standards for research security programs published for comment in February 2023 by OSTP/the NSTC Research Security Subcommittee. The document was superseded by the final standard guidelines published on July 9, 2024. The following are related documents and comments from higher education associations.

A November 2023 supplement to the NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance that provides definitions of terms used throughout the guidance and related policy documents.

Final Research Security Program (RSP) Guidelines published on July 9, 2024, via a memorandum to the heads of federal research funding agencies. Federal agencies are directed to implement the guidelines and provide time for institutional implementation. The four required areas are: cybersecurity, foreign travel security, research security training, and export control training. Agencies are coordinating implementation under a memorandum of agreement and anticipated to issue the requirements in early 2026.

A matrix that lists policies and requirements under the headings of: Disclosures, Agency Risk Assessment, FCOI & COC, Training, Certifications, and Research Security Program for each federal agency. Per COGR, this tool is frequently updated to reflect the release of new documentation. Updated September 30, 2025.

Published August 4, 2025, this guidance provides background on Fundamental Research (FR) as defined by NSDD-189 and DoD's implementation of the Directive via the May 24, 2010 'Carter Memo'. The Guidance notes that 'under the Carter Memo, research funded by 6.1 budget activity or 6.2 research conducted on a university campus is fundamental. For other research categories, the Department must be deliberate when deciding that a particular research topic is appropriate for openly published fundamental research'. It incorporates Considerations for Program Managers and Contracts and Grants Officers, including: a. Refraining from imposing publication review of research that has been formally designated as fundamental; b. For awards with multiple performers, considering whether some portion of the work should be designated as FR even if much of the award is not; and c. Avoiding flowing down restrictions to awardees performing FR that are inappropriate for FR. In addition, no security vetting should be done on personnel engaged in fundamental research and no preapproval conditions for the addition of researchers.

A foundational federal document from September 1985 issued by the Office of the President that outlined a national policy of openness in federally-funded fundamental research, including the fundamental research exclusion.