Research Security

Steven N. Liss, Vice-President, Research & Innovation, presenting in front of a crowded room at the 2019 Celebration of Excellence

As the Canadian government and other international jurisdictions implement new national security-related funding requirements and guidelines, higher education institutions are being asked to share the responsibility of safeguarding the research ecosystem, strengthening its integrity and enhancing its overall resilience.

The OVPRI works with counterparts at other universities, government stakeholders and our researchers and faculties to support the development of appropriate mitigation strategies.

The Government of Ontario has published new (PDF file) Research Security Guidelines for Ontario Research Funding Programs (opens in new window) . NEW June 2024.

These guidelines are to provide Ontario's institutions and researchers with an overview of the research security requirements and processes when they apply for a research funding program under the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

The guidelines include: Definitions, Process overview, Application stages, Adjudication stage, Contracting stage and FAQs.

There are notable differences between the federal and provincial research security definitions and guidelines.

Tri-agency guidance on research security webpage (external link, opens in new window) March 28, 2024

This webpage provides up-to-date guidance for the research community with regard to the implementation of research security measures by the federal granting agencies. We encourage the TMU research community to familiarize themselves with this guidance, as well as the policies, guidelines and resources provided by the Government of Canada.

Research security refers to the ability to identify possible risks to your work through unwanted access, interference or theft and the measures that can be taken to minimize these risks and protect the inputs, processes and products that are part of scientific research and discovery.

Support Services

The OVPRI can provide support and guidance on conducting due diligence and developing risk mitigation strategies. Additionally, the Director of Research Security offers tailored one-on-one consultation and advice for security-related questions or concerns.

Contact An Chi Lee, Director, Research Security, at an.lee@torontomu.ca.

Questions to consider for due diligence

If you are considering applying for federal or provincial grants, do the security requirements apply to you?
If you are considering collaborating with foreign researchers or commercial partners, how can you identify potential risks that could impact your project or grant application?
Are you hosting any international visiting scholars?
Do you plan to travel abroad for research or present at a conference?
Do you need help conducting due diligence or drafting risk mitigation plans for your proposals?
Is your research area considered sensitive or dual-use? (Does your research involve large data sets of personal, identifiable information? Does your research involve or have implications for critical infrastructure?)

STRAC Additional Resources:

Upcoming Events

Contact Us

Contact An Chi Lee, Director, Research Security, at an.lee@torontomu.ca.

Resources: Federal and Provincial Research Security

List of Sensitive Technology Research Areas (STRA)

The list of Sensitive Technology Research Areas (STRA) (external link, opens in new window) published by the Government of Canada now applies to both the Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) policy and the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP). The list includes the following 11 categories and their related subcategories. Please refer to the links provided to access detailed descriptions of each listed technology.

This STRA list may be updated periodically in accordance with the evolution of technologies, the military and intelligence applications of technology and national security imperatives.

Government resources, policies and guidelines

The federal government has published a series of resources to help Canadian researchers, faculties, and the general academic community familiarize themselves with research security.

Online training courses for risk mitigation

Researchers, particularly those interested in applying for federal and/or provincial funding, are strongly encouraged to take the free online risk mitigation courses provided by the Government of Canada (external link, opens in new window) , which are each approximately 30–40 minutes long. Completing these courses is viewed as a good first mitigation measure to address research security-related risks. There are currently three free online courses offered:

Introduction to Research Security
Cyber Security for Researchers
Safeguarding Research Partnerships with Open-Source Due Diligence

Due diligence tools and risk mitigation

Recommended best practices guides for universities

Additional research areas that can be considered sensitive

Research areas related to critical minerals, including critical mineral supply chains, on the Government of Canada’s critical minerals list (external link, opens in new window) .
Research areas classified within one of the critical infrastructure sectors of the National Strategy for Critical Infrastructure (external link, opens in new window) . (Critical infrastructure refers to processes, systems, facilities, technologies, networks, assets and services essential to the health, safety, security or economic well-being of Canadians and the effective functioning of government.)
Research areas that use large datasets that can be analyzed to reveal patterns, trends and associations, especially related to human behaviour and interactions that may have ethical, commercial or legal impacts at the individual, domestic or international level. The sensitivity of a large dataset depends on the nature, type and state of the information it contains, as well as how it may be used in the aggregate.
Research areas that use personal data that could be leveraged by hostile state actors to harm Canada’s national and economic security through its exploitation.

Ontario Government Research Security Guidelines (June 2024)

Ontario: Definitions

The Definitions used by the Ontario Government for the following terms can be found in (PDF file) section 1 of the Ontario Research Security Guidelines (opens in new window) : Applicant, Conflicts of Interest (CoI), Conflicts of Commitment (CoC), Collaboration, Funding Beneficiaries, High-Risk, In-Kind Support, Non-disclosure, Named Researchers, Relevant Period.

Note: These terms and definitions are different from the federal government research security terms and definitions.

Ontario: Application Attestation Form (June 2024)

All named researchers in an application are required to complete and sign the Application Attestation Form (section 2.a.) when they apply for a research funding program under the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Ontario: Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk Checklist (updated June 2024)

The Principal Investigator is required to complete the Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk Checklist for Ontario Research Fund Applications when applying for a research funding program under the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Ontario: Research Security FAQs (June 2024)

Why safeguard your research?

The threat landscape

Learn more about the Government of Canada’s recommendations for Safeguarding Your Research (external link, opens in new window) .