Assessing Research Security Efforts in Higher Education

This technical report documents the proceedings of a workshop held on May 22-23, 2025, focusing on research security efforts in higher education. The workshop, organized by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, aimed to assess the effectiveness of new research security measures implemented to protect federally funded academic research from foreign exploitation. Participants discussed the critical role of federally funded research in maintaining U.S. scientific leadership and national security. The report outlines the current research security requirements for academic institutions, including training and compliance measures, and highlights concerns regarding the potential negative impacts of these security initiatives on international collaboration and innovation. Additionally, the report emphasizes the need for metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of research security measures and the challenges faced by institutions in implementing these policies. The discussions also addressed the importance of understanding the cultural and behavioral changes necessary for effective research security.