This memo outlines the new requirements for research security training mandated by the federal government and implemented by Michigan State University (MSU) through our Research Security program.
Federal Mandate
Federal agencies are beginning to require research security training. This mandate originates from the National Security Presidential Memo-33 (2021) and the CHIPs and Science Act (2022). As a result, MSU is obligated to certify that it has a Research Security program, and a key component of this program is mandatory Research Security Training for all “covered individuals.”
Who is required to take the training?
“Covered individuals” includes Principal Investigators, Senior Key Personnel, and any mandated additional personnel identified by a federal agency within a specific solicitation or award.
Initial Rollout - Department of Energy (DOE) Requirements:
The initial implementation of this training is for researchers involved with the DOE.
- New DOE Proposals
- As of May 1st, Senior Key Personnel (or anyone with an additional role identified in the solicitation) must complete research security training within the 12 month period prior to proposal submission.
- Active DOE Awards
- Covered individuals on active DOE awards must complete research security training if their award is modified to include this requirement. OSP or CGA will communicate with the PI and administrator if research security requirements are added to an active award.
- Personnel Added to DOE Awards that have the new requirement
- New covered individuals added to DOE awards must complete training within 30 days of being added to the award.
Recommendations for Other Federal Awards:
- It is strongly recommended that Senior Key Personnel on active federal awards or recently submitted federal proposals complete research security training.
- The training is the same as the research security training component required for the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) training for NSF and USDA-NIFA projects.
- If you have completed MSU’s RECR training in the past 12 months, then you have satisfied this research security training requirement.
MSU Research Security Training Details:
Training is delivered through the Ability Learning Management System (LMS) and includes two mandatory and three optional courses.
Mandatory Courses, for those required to take the training:
- Research Security Resources at MSU (Required): Introduces the core resources and policies available at MSU to support research security.
- Manage and Mitigate Risk (Required): Identifies types of international collaboration risks and provides strategies for risk management and mitigation.
Optional Courses (NSF provided training modules), offering flexibility based on individual roles and needs:
- Introduction to Research Security (Optional): Key concepts of research security and recognition of undue foreign influence.
- The Importance of Disclosure (Optional): Explains federal funding agency disclosure requirements, including types of information that must be disclosed, how that information is used and why such disclosures are fundamental to safeguarding the U.S. research enterprise from foreign government interference and exploitation.
- The Importance of International Collaboration (Optional): This training module emphasizes the role of principled international collaboration in U.S. science, innovation and economic competitiveness.
Enrolling in MSU Research Security Training
Please follow these steps to self-enroll in the training track using Ability LMS:
Option 1
- Ensure that pop-ups are not being blocked for https://abilitylms.msu.edu.
- Log into Ability LMS.
- Use this self-enroll in the MSU Research Security Training track link
- The Add Required Learning Track should pop up for “Research Security” and click “Next”
- The "Research Security" track will now be listed under your "My Requirements."
Option 2
- Log into Ability LMS.
- Select "My Requirements."
- Click on the green plus sign to add a track.
- Choose "Research Security" from the Learning Track Options dropdown menu and click "Next."
- The "Research Security" track will now be listed under your "My Requirements."
By following either option, you should successfully enroll in the MSU Research Security Training track. If you have any questions or issues, please email ORI.Security@msu.edu.
Thank you for your attention to this important new requirement.
Douglas A. Gage, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research and Innovation