Foreign Influence

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LEADERSHIP

Name: Theodore Taraschi, PhD
Position: Senior Associate Provost, Research Integrity, Conduct & Compliance

Office Staff

Name: Larry Harshyne, PhD
Position: Assistant Provost, Research Integrity, Conduct & Compliance
Name: Jessica Gutierrez
Position: Director, Research Integrity, Conduct & Compliance
Name: Alisha Clark
Position: Project Manager, Research Integrity, Conduct & Compliance

Research Security Program

Overview

The U.S. Government has expressed growing concerns about the inappropriate influence and exploitation by foreign entities in federally funded research and the open university research environment. A critical issue that has emerged is the failure of federally-funded researchers in U.S. institutions to disclose their relationships and activities with foreign institutions and funding agencies. Federal agencies have indicated that failure to disclose foreign relationships and activities may put eligibility for future funding at risk. As a result, the U.S. Government recently enacted federal directives and legislation to ensure that disclosures are made, research security programs are implemented, and research security training is provided.

What are the components of the Research Security Program?

The components of the Research Security Program addresses topics around intellectual property, export control, cybersecurity, and other risks. Jefferson has implemented a centralized program in effort to address the federal government’s concerns and to mitigate risks. This program serves as a centralized depository for research security matters to ensure research integrity. If you have any questions about our program, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at research2@jefferson.edu.

Program Elements

Research taking place under government contracts may be subject to additional security controls.

For more information about cybersecurity see security awareness on ONE. 

Researchers must regularly disclose financial interests (COI) and outside professional activities (COC) to protect U.S. research security, including relationships with foreign entities and research support.

For more policies and resources for both internal and external disclosures visit the Office of Research Integrity, Conduct & Compliance Sharepoint Site.

 Digital Persistent Identifiers (DPIs) and Digital CVs help streamline the grant proposal process. Some federal agencies require investigators to use DPI services like ORCID and submit via SciENcv.

It is an obligation for all personnel to comply with Jefferson's export controls processes to adhere with US export regulations. 

  • Export Control Guidance 
  • Resource: To aid Personnel in complying with U.S. export controls laws and regulations, Jefferson maintains an Export Compliance Manual ("Manual") that provides a comprehensive program of internal controls, safeguards, and measures to minimize risk of potential violations of applicable export control regulations. For access to Jefferson’s Export Compliance Manual, please send a request to exportcontrol@jefferson.edu.

Thomas Jefferson University (“Jefferson”) encourages research collaboration and welcomes individuals from outside of the United States of America (“U.S.”) to participate in certain research activities. The onboarding process involves a multidisciplinary team from various departments, which has a primary goal to ensure standardize processes and enhance awareness of key policies impacting foreign individuals involved in research.

This includes physical and cyber travel guidance for international research, conferences, and internships.                 

All TJU employees are to comply with the Travel Policy and refer to the International Travel Guidance for international research, conference, and internships. For all grant funded research Jefferson employees are obligated to complete the UPAS form.

  • Jefferson's Travel Policy
  • Contact your assigned Grant Administrator for the University Prior Approval System (UPAS). Depending on the nature of travel, Jefferson’s Export Control Officer may contact you to review compliance requirements prior to travel.

Prohibition on Participation in Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs

Effective August 9, 2024, federal law mandates Covered Individuals to disclose involvement in any Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (FTRP) and prohibits participation in Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRP). Review our MFTRP Guidelines for more information.

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