The Research on Research Security Program

The Research on Research Security (RoRS) Program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF), a United States federal agency whose mission is to promote the progress of science, advance national health, prosperity, and welfare, and secure the national defense. As part of NSF’s broader effort to safeguard the integrity of the U.S. research enterprise, RoRS supports scholarly investigations into the complex and evolving landscape of research security. The program responds directly to concerns raised in foundational legislation such as the National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33) and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which highlight the importance of strengthening protections against undue foreign influence and fostering a culture of secure research practices. The RoRS program aims to stimulate interdisciplinary, evidence-based research that improves the understanding of security-related threats, protocols, and behaviors in the context of academic and scientific research. Its core purpose is to build an empirical foundation for decision-making at institutional, federal, and international levels by supporting studies that analyze the scope and mechanisms of research security risks. Topics of interest include the pervasiveness of security threats, risk mitigation strategies, behavioral and cultural factors influencing policy compliance, and the implications of policy decisions across various disciplines and geopolitical contexts. This funding opportunity is designed to nurture an emerging field that connects STEM researchers, policy practitioners, and social scientists concerned with safeguarding research environments. It invites a broad range of proposal types, including conferences and workshops, planning grants, and Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER). Collaboration is strongly encouraged, particularly among domestic and international partners who share U.S. concerns regarding research security. The program places emphasis on rigorous empirical methods and encourages the use of novel or previously inaccessible datasets to generate innovative insights and tools. Proposals must be submitted in full accordance with the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and may be submitted via Research.gov or Grants.gov under program solicitation number PD 25-275Y. The program accepts full proposals on an ongoing basis without a fixed deadline, and rolling submissions are allowed. Applicants are advised to consult the NSF website for the version of the PAPPG that is current at the time of submission, as all proposals must comply with those specifications. Eligibility for this program includes institutions of higher education (both public and private), nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities that can demonstrate the capacity to carry out rigorous research in alignment with the program's goals. No match requirement is stated in the public-facing materials. While no ceiling or floor for award amounts is published, the program seeks proposals that offer strong potential for field-building and practical application. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the program officer, Dean M. Evasius, for further guidance. He can be reached via email at devasius@nsf.gov or by phone at (703) 292-7352. The program is administered by the Office of the Director (OD) in coordination with the Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy (OD/CRSP). This opportunity was last published on April 11, 2025, and is currently active.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the program director prior to submission and to review NSF research security resources.