Welcome to Appalachian State University's Research Security page.
In order to better align with the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-167) Section 10634 and the National Security Presidential Memorandum on United States Government-Supported Research and Development National Security Policy 33 (NSPM-33); NSF, NIH, DOD, DOE, and USDA are requiring research security training for “covered individuals” receiving federal funding. These agencies seek to ensure federally funded projects “are free of malign foreign interference and misappropriation”.
As a result, federal agencies are now requiring investigators to complete research security training within the 12 months preceding the date a grant application is submitted.
Appalachian State University is committed to protecting federally funded research and complying with federal agency requirements. This training mandate will be required for all “covered individuals” who submit a federal proposal on or after October 1, 2025.
Who must take the training?
All covered individuals must take the required research security training on an annual basis for the duration of the award. A “covered individual” is “any individual who contributes to the scientific development or execution of a project in a substantive, measurable way”.
Examples of "Covered Individuals" are PI's, Co-PI's, project directors or managers, and consultants and graduate students who contribute to the project in a "substantive and meaningful way to the development or execution of the scope of work" on the funded project.
What topics will be covered?
Training will consist of topics that address cybersecurity, international collaboration, foreign interference, rules for proper use of funds, conflict of commitment, and conflict of interest.
When must training be completed?
Investigators must complete research security training within the 12 months preceding the date a grant application is submitted, and the training must be renewed yearly for the duration of the award.
How do I complete the training?
Navigate to the NSF SECURE Center to complete training. This NSF funded SECURE Center developed a condensed version of the research security training required. This training is recognized by the NSF, NIH, DOE, and DOD as satisfying the training requirement for federally funded research. The SECURE Center's condensed RST module can be found here. Once completed please submit your completion certificate to compliance@appstate.edu.