Federal Government releases Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern

This week, the Federal Government released the new Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, which will impact researchers applying for funding through the federal granting agencies (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

The policy outlines sensitive technology research areas and named research organizations (NRO), identified as research organizations and institutions that pose the highest risk to Canada’s national security due to their direct or indirect connections with military, national defence, and state security entities.

Starting in early 2024, research grant and funding applications submitted by a university or affiliated research institution to the federal granting councils and the CFI involving research that advances a sensitive technology research area will not be funded if any of the researchers involved in activities supported by the grant are affiliated with, or in receipt of funding or in-kind support from, an NRO.

Find out more here.

We are awaiting further details from the granting agencies about how these new requirements will be integrated into applications, and will share more information as it becomes available. 

We understand that this new policy may create uncertainty as well as additional requirements and responsibilities for our research community. Researchers with any questions may contact Akshay Singh, Director, Research Security, at research.security@ubc.ca

UBC remains dedicated to enabling an open and collaborative research environment, while being committed to providing support to its research community to effectively safeguard research and sensitive information.
 

Gail C. Murphy
Vice-President, Research & Innovation