Uncovering Intent: The PRC and Russia’s Open-Source Research Ambitions

This is the second post in our Research Security blog series. To read the first post, click here.

Introduction

In the realm of international research, collaboration is often seen as a pathway to innovation and progress. However, not all collaborations are benign. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia have strategic motivations for encouraging open-source research collaborations that go beyond academic advancement. Understanding these motivations is crucial for safeguarding intellectual property, maintaining research integrity, and ensuring compliance with funding regulations.

The PRC's Strategy

China's ruling party takes direct control of the country's universities, with presidents' offices being merged with embedded party committees to form a 'unified' leadership for higher education. This centralized control is part of a broader strategy to advance national objectives through scientific and technological development.

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, has explicitly called for the PRC to achieve "high-level science and technology (S&T) self-reliance." This directive is reflected in the party’s emphasis on "indigenous innovation," which aims to reduce dependence on foreign technology and bolster China's global competitiveness.

Tactics Employed

The PRC employs several tactics to exploit international collaborations:

Talent Recruitment Programs: China identifies and recruits top international researchers to work in China, often through well-funded talent programs. These initiatives are designed to transfer valuable knowledge and skills to Chinese institutions.

Research Partnerships: Collaborative research projects with international universities serve as a conduit for transferring advanced technologies and intellectual property to China.

Reverse Engineering Efforts: Chinese institutions often engage in reverse engineering Western technologies to replicate and enhance them for domestic use.

Case Study: University Involvement

An example of this strategy is seen in China’s emphasis on brain research through the China Brain Project, which involves substantial government funding aimed at attracting global talent and expertise. International collaborations in such projects are closely monitored and leveraged to advance China’s strategic goals.

Russia's Approach

Since 2022, the Russian government has poured significant resources, at least USD 110 million, into initiatives aimed at reverse engineering Western goods, particularly to copy Western weapon systems. Universities are integral to these efforts, offering training and conducting projects designed to replicate and improve upon Western technologies. At least two of the universities leading these projects have been involved in economic espionage activities, demonstrating the extent to which academic institutions are leveraged for state objectives (DNI.gov) (ProPublica).

Implications for Global Research

The strategic motivations behind the PRC and Russia's calls for open-source research collaboration pose significant risks to international research institutes. These include:

Intellectual Property Theft: Valuable research and innovations can be appropriated without proper credit or compensation.

National Security Risks: Advanced technologies developed through international collaborations can be used to enhance military capabilities in these countries.

Talent Drain: Highly skilled researchers may be recruited away from their home institutions, leading to a loss of expertise and innovation potential.

Ensuring Compliance and Protecting Funding

For many academic institutions, the primary concern is compliance with regulations from bodies such as the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), and National Science Foundation (NSF) to secure and maintain funding. This involves:

Due Diligence in Vetting Collaborations: Institutions must thoroughly vet research partners and donors to ensure compliance with funding regulations and avoid affiliations with high-risk entities.

Maintaining Transparency: Ensuring that all research activities and partnerships are transparent to comply with regulatory requirements and avoid penalties.

Protecting Research Integrity: Safeguarding intellectual property and maintaining the integrity of research without making researchers feel like they are under surveillance.

Mitigating Risks Through Advanced Intelligence

Understanding and mitigating these risks is essential for protecting intellectual property and maintaining the integrity of research collaborations. Leveraging advanced data processing and risk analysis capabilities, institutions can identify high-risk collaborations and implement measures to safeguard their research and personnel. This approach helps secure funding while ensuring compliance with necessary regulations.

The recent memorandum from the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) further underscores the importance of robust research security programs. It provides guidelines for federal research agencies to implement certification requirements for research security programs at covered institutions, aligning with National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33) and the CHIPS and Science Act. These guidelines emphasize the need for cybersecurity, foreign travel security, research security training, and export control training.

Specific Tools for Risk Mitigation

Strider provides unique intelligence and tools necessary to identify and mitigate these risks. By leveraging our advanced data processing and risk analysis capabilities, research institutions can protect their intellectual property and maintain the integrity of their collaborations. Specifically:

Shield: Strider's Shield tool can help university cybersecurity teams proactively identify recruitment efforts being made by foreign institutions aimed at their talent.

Sentry: This tool helps institutions validate the information provided by self-disclosures, providing quick access to a list of publications, patents, funding records, and relationships to malign talent programs.

Conclusion

While international collaboration is essential for scientific progress, it is crucial to remain vigilant about the hidden motivations of certain state actors. Understanding and addressing these risks ensure that research efforts contribute positively to global innovation and security. By staying informed and proactive, research institutions can continue to collaborate safely and advance their mission of expanding knowledge and creating a better world without compromising compliance or funding.