To establish a research security training requirement for Federal research grant personnel, and for other purposes.
Bill: H.R.5266 | Sponsor: Rep. Waltz, Michael (R-FL)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
This bill requires each federal research agency with an annual extramural research expenditure of over $100 million to establish a requirement that, as part of an application for a research and development award from the agency
The OSTP must develop guidelines for institutions of higher education and other organizations receiving federal research and development funds for use in developing their own training programs to address their unique needs, challenges, and risk profiles, including the adoption of training modules developed under this bill.
The OSTP shall enter into an agreement or contract with a qualified entity for the development of online research security training modules for the research community, including modules focused on international collaboration and international travel, foreign interference, and rules for proper use of funds, disclosure, conflict of commitment, and conflict of interest.

To establish a research security training requirement for Federal 
           research grant personnel, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. RESEARCH SECURITY TRAINING REQUIREMENT FOR FEDERAL RESEARCH 
              GRANT PERSONNEL.

    (a) Annual Training Requirement.--Drawing on stakeholder input, not 
later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, each 
Federal research agency shall establish a requirement that, as part of 
an application for a research and development award from the agency--
            (1) each covered individual listed on the application for a 
        research and development award certify that they have completed 
        research security training that meets the guidelines developed 
        under subsection (b) within one year of the application; and
            (2) each institution of higher education or other 
        organization applying for such an award certify that each 
        covered individual who is employed by the institution or 
        organization and listed on the application has been made aware 
        of the requirement under this subsection.
    (b) Training Guidelines.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy, acting through the National Science and Technology 
Council and in accordance with the authority provided under section 
1746(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 
(Public Law 116-92; 42 U.S.C. 6601 note), shall develop guidelines for 
institutions of higher education and other organizations receiving 
Federal research and development funds to use in developing their own 
training programs to address the unique needs, challenges, and risk 
profiles of such institutions, including adoption of training modules 
developed under subsection (c).
    (c) Security Training Modules.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of 
        Science and Technology Policy in coordination with the Director 
        of the National Science Foundation and the Director of the 
        National Institute of Health, and in consultation with other 
        relevant Federal research agencies, shall enter into an 
        agreement or contract with a qualified entity for the 
        development of online research security training modules for 
        the research community, including modules focused on 
        international collaboration and international travel, foreign 
        interference, and rules for proper use of funds, disclosure, 
        conflict of commitment, and conflict of interest.
            (2) Stakeholder input.--Prior to entering into the 
        agreement under paragraph (1), the Director of the Office of 
        Science and Technology Policy shall seek input from academic, 
        private sector, intelligence, and law enforcement stakeholders 
        regarding the scope and content of training modules, including 
        the diversity of needs across institutions of higher education 
        and other awardees of different sizes and types, and 
        recommendations for minimizing administrative burden on 
        institutions of higher education and researchers.
            (3) Development.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
        Technology Policy shall ensure that the entity identified in 
        paragraph (1)--
                    (A) develops modules that can be adapted and 
                utilized across Federal science agencies; and
                    (B) develops and implements a plan for regularly 
                updating the modules as needed.
    (d) Consistency.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall ensure that the training requirements issued by 
Federal research agencies under subsection (a) are consistent.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``covered individual'' means an individual 
        who--
                    (A) contributes in a substantive, meaningful way to 
                the scientific development or execution of a research 
                and development project proposed to be carried out with 
                a research and development award from a Federal 
                research agency; and
                    (B) is designated as a covered individual by the 
                Federal research agency concerned.
            (2) The term ``Federal research agency'' means any Federal 
        agency with an annual extramural research expenditure of over 
        $100,000,000.
            (3) The term ``research and development award'' means 
        support provided to an individual or entity by a Federal 
        research agency to carry out research and development 
        activities, which may include support in the form of a grant, 
        contract, cooperative agreement, or other such transaction. The 
        term does not include a grant, contract, agreement or other 
        transaction for the procurement of goods or services to meet 
        the administrative needs of a Federal research agency.
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