In response to federal government policies and guidelines on research security, Canada’s Tri-Council funding agencies (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) have adopted guidance to support the safeguarding and integrity of sensitive Canadian research globally.
This guidance stems from the Government of Canada’s Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy; released January 2024), and the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP; 2021). The guidance and resources are also intended to support actions that safeguard against the theft and misappropriation of research, as well as the unauthorized transfer of sensitive knowledge, research outcomes, and intellectual property.
NSGRP material was developed in collaboration with the Government of Canada-Universities working group to ensure the Canadian research ecosystem is as open as possible and as secure as necessary. The 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. As of May 2024, the NSGRP will apply to additional federal research grant opportunities across the Tri-Agencies and CFI.
Released in early 2024, the STRAC Policy applies additional safeguards on the most sensitive technology research areas. The policy stipulates that researchers aiming to advance a sensitive technology research area must not be affiliated with, or receive funding or in-kind support from, a university, research institution, or laboratory connected to military, national defence, or state security entities that could pose a risk to Canada’s national security if they wish to be eligible or for certain Tri-Agency and CFI research funding opportunities. The STRAC Policy will apply to federally funded research opportunities on May 1, 2024.
Please see our agency-specific pages for more information on how these policies and guidelines apply to your research.
Key Definitions
Consult the Government of Canada's Safeguarding Your Research site for a full list of definitions.