Research security
The 番茄社区 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 . 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 Risk Assessments associated with Tri-agency and CFI funding applications
- Conduct security review of Research Agreements involving international partnerships
- Host workshops and provide training on research security
- Provide assistance in partnership assessments for faculty
- Provide research security travel tips
Latest news
Implication of Ontario Research Security Guidelines
November 12, 2024
As of June 2024, the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) has implemented research security guidelines that are aligned with but more encompassing than that...
Malign foreign talent recruitment programs
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...
Export Control List
July 20, 2024
Global Affairs Canada amended the Export Control List (ECL) to outline new export and technology transfer controls on quantum computing and advanced semiconductors equipment and technology. Details...
Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern
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...
Protecting Canada鈥檚 research
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...
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 and the 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:
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 is useful in this regard. The 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 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 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 is required by certain federal funding programs as part of the implementation of the . 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. Only researchers with 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 . 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 . 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 .
Researchers are encouraged to follow .
Researchers are recommended to consult at least the following resources before travelling:
Sanctions are a foreign policy tool for maintaining and restoring international peace and security, combatting corruption, and promoting respect for human rights. It’s a mechanism to enforce international law (e.g. UN sanctions), and to incite behavioural or policy change.
Sanctions could be imposed on individuals, entities or states to put restrictions on certain activities. are imposed under the United Nations Act (UNA), Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA), or Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.
Prohibitions are in place for certain dealings with sanctioned individuals, entities or states. Violating sanctions could result in committing a criminal act (enforced by RCMP and CBSA). Therefore, it is a great practice to conduct open-source due diligence on the individuals and the entities you are dealing with when undertaking activities, such as the following:
- Exploring or pursuing research collaborations
- Hiring faculty and researchers
- Hosting foreign researchers or students
- Accepting donations, receiving research funding or transferring research funding
- Importing or exporting goods and technologies
- Providing scientific and technical assistance
- Exchanging or presenting research results
Checking the or using relevant OSINT tools (e.g. ) could facilitate for the appropriate due diligence.
More FAQs on NSGRP
More FAQs on STRAC
Resources/forms
Government/funding agency policies
Forms
Research security resources
Travel guides
- International Travel and Data Security
- UVic Quick Reference Travel Guide
- CSIS Cyber and Espionage Threats Travel Handout
Tidbits for startups
Events/webinars
Upcoming events
What:
When: December 6, 2024 at 10:00AM - 11:00AM PDT
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided upon RSVP)
Speaker: , Patent Lawyer, Klarquist Sparkmann
RSVP by December 2nd to researchsecurity@uvic.ca
What: Safeguarding Science Module 1
When: Select one from the following sessions
- November 5th, 10:00am to 11:30am PDT -
- December 3rd, 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: Demystifying the International Student Immigration Process (Safeguarding Science Module 3)
When: Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, 10:00am to 11:00am PST -
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 -
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
What: Sanctions 101 (Safeguarding Science Module 5)
When: Tuesday, November 26th, 10:00am to 11:15am PST -
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided by the host upon registration)
Host: The Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
What: Safeguarding Science: Raising awareness of security risks and mitigation tools in the research ecosystem
When:
Where: ECS 660
Speaker: Mr. Nigel Fitch, Research Security Centre, Public Safety Canada
RSVP by October 21st, 2024 to researchsecurity@uvic.ca
What:
When: October 28, 2024, 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Where: Virtual, Teams link to be provided upon registration
Speakers: Research Computing, Campus Security and OHSE
RSVP by October 21st to researchsecurity@uvic.ca
What: Digital Research Alliance Webinars
When: Select one of the following sessions
Where: Virtual
Host: Digital Research Alliance of 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
- October 3rd, 2024, 10:00am to 11:00am PST
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:
When: June 26, 2024 at 10:00AM - 11:00AM PDT
Where: Virtual (Teams link to be provided upon RSVP)
Speaker: , 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
- October 22nd, 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:
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:
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
What:
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