Congress to Create Two Entities to Address Research Security

Lawmakers are expected to approve legislation that would create two bodies aimed at preventing foreign influence on U.S. scientific research. The annual defense bill, titled the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorizes an interagency working group within the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House to coordinate activities aimed at protecting federally funded research from foreign interference. The bill would also create a roundtable comprised of academics, government officials, and industry officials, coordinated by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, to advise the government on protecting national security while maintaining international research collaborations. The NDAA would also establish new reporting requirements for national security academic research, authorize the creation of a new technology and national security STEM fellowship for undergraduate and graduate students, and commission a Defense Science Board study on emerging biotechnologies pertinent to national security. Additionally, the legislation requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit an annual report to Congress on “sensitive research subjects” that could affect national security in order “to help ensure academic freedom.” Oversight of foreign influence on research has been increasing. Lawmakers have made enquiries into the processes in place at agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and th...
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news