April 2021

Dear Faculty, Researchers, and Staff,

As mentioned in previous communications, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research continues to monitor U.S. federal government efforts focused on foreign engagement in research to keep the NYU research community informed and to promote inclusive, collaborative, and secure research at NYU. A brief summary of federal and University updates to date in 2021 follows.

Federal and Sponsor Updates
In January, the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Joint Committee on the Research Environment (JCORE) issued its final report outlining recommendations to research organizations like NYU to better protect the security and integrity of the U.S. research enterprise.

JCORE’s recommendations to research organizations include:

  1. Demonstrating organizational leadership and oversight 
  2. Creating an expectation of openness and transparency
  3. Providing training, information, and support
  4. Ensuring effective mechanisms for compliance with organization policies
  5. Managing potential risks associated with collaborations

In parallel, the White House issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) U.S. Government Supported Research and Development National Security Policy which directs federal departments and agencies to act to protect federally funded research and incorporates recommendations from the JCORE report.

Early indications from the Biden administration suggest that U.S. government efforts to promote research security and integrity will continue to be a top priority for federal sponsor agencies going forward to ensure U.S. global competitiveness and leadership in research and development.

Tied to JCORE recommendations, the National Institutes of Health recently updated its requirements for its biographical sketch and other support documentation which are currently scheduled to go into effect on May 25, 2021. These changes are meant to promote accurate and complete disclosure of research related affiliations and support for grant applicants and recipients and better align NIH disclosure requirements with those of other federal sponsors.

NYU Updates
Cayuse Outside Interests
To promote the accuracy and completeness of NYU researchers’ disclosures to the University, in March the Office of the Conflict of Interest (OCI) launched its new Cayuse Outside Interests module which replaces Click COI.

Cayuse COI allows faculty and researchers to more easily complete, track and manage their disclosures to NYU. This disclosure system will be used for completing the 2021 Annual COI Disclosure Cycle this spring and research-based certifications submitted after April 1, 2021. Cayuse Outside Interests Documentation and Guides are available for reference.

A forthcoming revision to the Academic Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment Policy will provide additional guidance and clarifications on disclosures related to commitment conflicts and research-related disclosure requirements of interest to federal and other sponsors. 

Please contact Erik Schneebeck (es199@nyu.edu) with questions or for additional information.

Foreign Engagement and Research Security Outreach and Resources
Aligned with JCORE best practice recommendations, the Office of the Conflict of Interest and the Office of Sponsored Programs provided updates to schools and units across campus this winter and spring focused on foreign engagements and research security.

The slide deck from those sessions and a recording of the presentation are available for your review and reference.

The OVPR Research and Foreign Engagement page brings together a wealth of information including updates from sponsors and resources for researchers and is updated as new information and resources are made available.

If you are interested in scheduling an outreach session or have questions about foreign engagement resources please contact Jason St. Germain (stgerj01@nyu.edu) or Cormac Slevin (cs182@nyu.edu).

NYU Coordination
To further support the recommendations from federal partners and sponsors mentioned above, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research is working to convene a group of faculty and administrative representatives across campus to form a Science and Security Working Group--an advisory group charged with formulating NYU guidelines and criteria to support foreign engagement monitoring and compliance. For more information, please contact Nancy Daneau (nd37@nyu.edu).

We appreciate your continued attention and commitment to promoting open, collaborative, and secure research at NYU.

Sincerely,

Nancy Daneau, Associate Vice Provost for Research
Jason St. Germain, Senior Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Erik Schneebeck, Director, Conflict of Interest