In March 2023, the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) posted a Request for Information, seeking public comment on the draft research security program standards published in February in furtherance of National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33).
MIT and some organizations to which we belong (such as COGR and AAU) periodically respond to such requests for information to ensure that the needs and interests of university researchers are known to federal policymakers.
MIT takes seriously the need for research security and risk review, as reflected, for example, in the Institute’s elevated-risk review process and the findings of the fall 2022 report on University Engagement with China.
Wishing to avoid undue burden on MIT researchers and staff, MIT has offered comments in response to the request for information, advocating for a clearer, more consistent set of standards across agencies. We also recommend that the standards should be risk-based, rather than apply the strictest requirements to all projects. We offer additional comments on foreign travel security. Our submitted response is publicly available.
These formal comments supplement the continual productive dialogue between policymakers and MIT leaders and researchers that supports our shared goals. While we’re waiting for official details about the implementation of NSPM-33, our Research Compliance team has been working closely with other offices across the Institute to prepare for anticipated changes in systems, policies and processes. In the meantime, please contact research-compliance-help@mit.edu with any questions or concerns.