Safeguarding research is a shared responsibility among researchers, research institutions, funding agencies and the Government of Canada. These efforts help protect the integrity of Canada’s research ecosystem while supporting the openness, collaboration and academic freedom that underpin research excellence.
To support the safeguarding and integrity of sensitive Canadian research globally, research that is funded by Canada's tri-council agencies (Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), and including the New Frontiers in Research Fund) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) are subject to certain conditions depending on the nature of the research involved, as outlined by the policies below.
This page provides guidance and resources to help researchers understand and navigate federal research security requirements and funding agency policies that may apply to their research activities.
Canadian research security policies are governed by two core directives:
National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP)
These guidelines integrate national security considerations into the development, evaluation and federal funding of research partnerships with private sector partners, including industrial associations and producer groups.
Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy)
The STRAC Policy requires researchers whose work involves advancing specified sensitive technologies(2) to refrain from engaging in certain activities with research organizations(1) that have been identified as posing a risk to Canada’s national security.
Additional Government of Canada policies and guidelines: