Helping Universities Effectively Navigate NSPM-33

The federal government addresses university research exploitation

Due to the increasing amount of foreign government interference and exploitation of federally funded research, the U.S. government issued NSPM-33, putting the responsibility on universities to develop robust security programs.

What is NSPM-33?

The National Security Presidential Memorandum 33, or NSPM-33, is a presidential directive that aims to provide action to reinforce protections of research and development (R&D) supported by the United States Government. This memorandum strives to safeguard federally funded research from undue foreign influence. In January of 2021, the U.S. government issued the memorandum under the Trump Administration. The Biden administration endorsed NSPM-33 in August of 2022.

What are the goals of NSPM-33?

Increase protection, clarity, and consistency of research institutes receiving federal funding
Protect U.S. national security while maintaining open collaboration within the research community
Set clear security expectations for research institutions
Avoid xenophobia

What’s required of organizations?

NSPM-33 requires research organizations that are awarded more than $50 million/year of federal research funding to:

Disclose information of the personnel working on the specific research that received the funding.
- For example, a scholar, student, or visiting scholar who is part of the research must disclose whether they are supported by an external entity

Implement additional security measures in the following 4 areas:

Cybersecurity: Universities should implement diverse cybersecurity procedures to strengthen their IT teams and systems, such as monitoring, controlling, and protecting organizational communications.

Foreign travel security: Universities should carry out training and security briefings for individuals participating in foreign travel for research business, teaching, conference attendance, research purposes, or any offers of sponsored travel that would put a person at risk.

Research security training: Universities should execute training to relevant personnel on research security threat awareness and identification, incorporate relevant elements of research security into existing training, and conduct tailored training in the event of a research security incident.

Export control training: Universities should enforce training to relevant personnel for reviewing foreign sponsors, collaborators, and partnerships to ensure compliance with Federal export control requirements and restricted entities lists.

Repercussions of not complying with NSPM-33

Termination or suspension of the funding that the organization received
Mandatory return of research fund
Suspension and debarment of individuals or research organizations

With universities at risk of financial as well as reputational damage, remaining compliant with these rules and regulations is essential for research institutes to avoid incurring disciplinary action.

Strider can help universities comply with NSPM-33

Strider sources difficult-to-access publicly available data, processes it through advanced AI and our proprietary risk methodology, and delivers unique risk signals and actionable insights via our intelligence platform. View our Research Security solution page to learn more about what critical insights our platform can reveal for your university.

In an everchanging geopolitical landscape, universities need to be equipped with the right information and context to safely navigate state-sponsored risk. Reach out to a Strider representative today and see what insights our intelligence can deliver for your organization.