To support the safeguarding and integrity of sensitive Canadian research, Canada’s tri-council research funding agencies launched joint guidance on research security in spring 2024. Researchers applying for tri-agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) funding should be aware of this guidance when applying for, renewing/extending, and reporting on their research grants.
When Applying for Tri-Agency Funding
Determine whether the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy) and/or the National Security Guidelines on Research Partnership (NSGRP), is applicable to your grant funding opportunity by consulting the grant literature.
You can use our self-check to make an initial assessment for yourself. Please check individual competition details to be certain.
If the STRAC Policy is applicable to your funding opportunity, UBC researchers should complete the steps below:
Determine whether your proposed grant application will aim to advance any of the listed sensitive research technology areas (STRA). If you are not aiming to advance a STRA, this policy does not apply to you.
If you are aiming to advance a STRA, determine whether you may be affiliated to, or receive funding or in-kind support from, a named research organization (NRO).
Each researcher in a named role in the grant application is required to complete the Tri-Agency STRAC Attestation Form for inclusion as part of the grant application (note: researchers considered to have named roles are only required to complete this form if they aim to advance a STRA). Researchers without named roles are not required to provide an attestation but must still comply with the STRAC policy for the duration of the project.
If your funding application involves one or more private-sector partner organizations (including industrial associations and producer groups), the NSGRP can apply to your application. Please refer to the original funding opportunity's literature to determine if the NSGRP applies.
Complete a Risk Assessment Form, including a risk mitigation plan, as part of your funding application.
When you are ready to apply, submit your Risk Assessment Form to UILO for validation.
Once the Grant is Funded
If the grant application is funded, each research team member involved in the activities funded by the grant are responsible to ensure that they do not hold active affiliations or receive funding or in-kind support from any of the listed NROs for the duration of their involvement in the funded research.
Changes to the nature of the funding (such that it now advances one of the STRAs, partner organizations, or team/project members in named roles) will require resubmission of all relevant research security forms.
Which Research Grants are Subject to this Guidance?
Several tri-agency research funding opportunities, as well as select awards, will require STRAC Attestation Forms or NSGRP Risk Assessment Forms as noted below.