Federal Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern
This policy will impact researchers submitting funding applications to the federal granting agencies (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC) and CFI.
Starting in early 2024, research grant and funding applications submitted by a university or affiliated research institution to the federal granting councils and the Canada Foundation for Innovation involving research that advances a sensitive technology research area will not be funded if any of the researchers involved in activities supported by the grant are affiliated with, or in receipt of funding or in-kind support, from an Named Research Organization (NRO).
The list of named research organizations includes entities from China, Iran, and Russia that pose the highest risk to Canada's national security due to their direct, or indirect, connections to military, national defence, and state security.
HOW WILL THE POLICY IMPACT ME?
- The policy will apply to all federal granting calls announced on or after May 1, 2024.
- Researchers named on grant applications (e.g., applicants, co-applicants, and collaborators) will be expected to attest that they are not affiliated with, or receiving funding or in-kind support, from any entity on the list of named research organizations.
WHICH FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ARE IMPACTED?
Currently, the STRAC Policy only applies to funding opportunities that fund research grants to university and university-affiliated institutions. A list of funding opportunities that will apply the STRAC Policy, as of May 1, 2024, is available here.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES