NSF Org:	OIA OIA-Office of Integrative Activities
Recipient:	TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE
Initial Amendment Date:	September 9, 2022
Latest Amendment Date:	October 25, 2022
Award Number:	2230535
Award Instrument:	Cooperative Agreement
Program Manager:	Shawna Cox OIA  OIA-Office of Integrative Activities O/D  Office Of The Director
Start Date:	November 1, 2022
End Date:	October 31, 2024 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$306,449.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$306,449.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2022 = $306,449.00
History of Investigator:	Lisa Nichols (Principal Investigator) lnichol2@nd.edu Bill Yates (Co-Principal Investigator) Jennifer Ponting (Co-Principal Investigator) Lynda Moreland (Co-Principal Investigator) Elizabeth Peloso (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of Pennsylvania 3451 WALNUT ST STE 440A PHILADELPHIA PA  US  19104-6205 (215)898-7293
Sponsor Congressional District:	03
Primary Place of Performance:	University of Pennsylvania 3451 Walnut Street PHILADELPHIA PA  US  19104-6205
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	03
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	GM1XX56LEP58
Parent UEI:	GM1XX56LEP58
NSF Program(s):	Resrch Security Stratgy&Policy
Primary Program Source:	01002223DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01002223RB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):
Program Element Code(s):	206Y00
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.083

ABSTRACT

This project will develop and evaluate a training activity about research security based on an assessment of current understanding and knowledge gaps among researchers about research security. This activity will explore actions researchers and their institutions can take to assess, reduce, and manage risks to the security of research proposed and under development, unpublished research data, and other information and to uphold scientific values. This project directly addresses the need to strengthen research security of U.S. government-supported research and development, per the National Security Presidential Memorandum ? 33 (NSPM-33) and the CHIPS plus Science Act of 2022. Dissemination and use of this training will better protect U.S. research interests from both foreign and domestic risks and threats. The training module will be Internet-based, scalable, flexible, and widely accessible to researchers and stakeholders in a variety of settings, including researchers with disabilities. The training module will have standard content while also providing research institutions the flexibility to add content to address their local practices and incorporate training into their local systems. The development of the research security training module series is collaboratively funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Defense (DOD).

This research security training module focused on risk management and mitigation will be designed and developed in consultation with a Content Expert Group, which includes experts in research security across government. Training development will be guided by the ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) model, a widely used, flexible, and robust model for curriculum and course design. Following the initial design work and consultation, focus groups will be convened to identify potential instructional challenges, evaluate learners? existing knowledge and misconceptions, recognize technical and structural requirements, and determine the type and extent of instruction needed. The project team will assess the effectiveness of the module by performing user testing where training materials and instructional methods are rehearsed with a small group of learners before finalizing the materials, and then conducting a pilot study with real-world target learners to assess the effectiveness of the completed training module. Following end-user testing, evaluation, and revisions to the design, the module will be made available for dissemination to research security stakeholders, including university-based researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, academic administrators, research security administrators, and researchers and staff in government agencies and national laboratories.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT

Disclaimer

This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.

This project involved the design and development of training for researchers, students, and administrators on potential risks to the security of U.S. research when engaging internationally and how to reduce and manage risks. The study team conducted focus groups with researchers who lead projects, students and fellows who engage in research and related activities, and senior research leaders and administrators at U.S. institutions that conduct research. The team assessed knowledge of research security risks among these populations and areas where additional information was needed to inform the development of the training. These groups were also represented in user testing of the training as it was being finalized to assess overall user experience, navigation, the value and relevance of the content, narrative, knowledge assessments, amount of information, and training length. 

The training module on managing and mitigating research security risks is available on the NSF website for use by the research and broader community. The training follows an early career researcher through a series of international activities involving increasing levels of engagement ranging from speaking at a conference to affiliation with an international institution, the associated risk considerations, and how to reduce and manage risks. Training files are available for research institutions and others to use in their learning management systems where individual training can be tracked. The training can also be taken directly on the NSF website where a certificate of completion is provided. Participation in this training is expected to broaden knowledge of research security risks and how to manage them, strengthening U.S. research protections while maintaining open and productive international collaborations. 

 

Last Modified: 11/01/2024
Modified by: Lisa M Nichols

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