Global collaboration and engagement in research and innovation are central to Brock’s success. International collaborations help to connect diverse ideas and perspectives, and advance important research discoveries. International collaborations are a fundamental part of the work Brock researchers do to drive innovation and advance scholarship in a broad range of research areas.
Safeguarding Brock research is a top priority for the Office of Research Services. We continue to work with government agencies and granting councils to ensure research projects are conducted in accordance with security requirements while also remaining true to Brock’s values of openness and collaboration. The Office of Research Services is available to help Brock researchers navigate the evolving guidelines regarding research security. For more information on research security at Brock please contact Tyler Weaver.
The following resources will help Brock researchers take the appropriate steps necessary to protect their research.
The new Government of Canada Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern came into effect as of May 1, 2024. For any grant application from a university that aims to advance a sensitive technology research area, research team members involved in the activities supported by the grant must not be affiliated with, or in receipt of 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. For such applications, applicants will also be required to attest to their compliance with the policy. More information is available through the following links:
The National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships integrate national security considerations into the development, evaluation, and funding of research partnerships. The Guidelines better position researchers, research organizations and Government funders to undertake consistent, risk-targeted due diligence of potential risks to research security.
National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships’ Risk Assessment Form (also linked below)
Data Sources to Safeguard Research Partnerships – Use the Data Sources to Safeguard Research Partnerships to conduct open-source due diligence on industry partners. Includes a variety of resources that address the following:
- Corporate Records – Who am I dealing with? How are they organized?
- Individual Provincial Registries
- Academic Awards and Databases – Have my partners been involved in other research on my subject?
- Intellectual Property & Patent Databases – Who owns patents in my research area? What other fields or researchers does my partner fund?
- Sanctions listings and end user lists – Is my partner at high risk of diverting my research to military end users? Has my partner ever been sanctioned?
- Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List – Official Government of Canada list of individuals and entities subject to specific Canadian sanctions. Searchable and filterable.
- US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Sanctions List – Official US Government Sanctions listings. Searchable and filterable.
- Sanctions Explorer – Sanctions search engine covering US (OFAC), European Union and United Nations sanctions. Includes individuals, organizations, aircraft and vessels.
- US Consolidated Screening List – List of parties for which the US Government maintains restrictions on certain exports, reexports, or transfers of items.
- Legal Databases, Indictments and Case Records – Has my partner been the subject of legal proceedings?
- Miscellaneous Open-Source Tools & Resources – Additional online tools that may support specific due diligence tasks
The National Research Council has formed a Statement on Research Security, which is linked below. Per the National Research Council, the statement focuses on specific threats identified with regards to the military, national defence, or state security entities that could pose a risk to our national security; it does not target or profile any group of people or country. The application of this statement must never lead to discrimination against individuals.
Statement on Research Security – National Research Council (NRC)
The Province of Ontario has released its own Research Security forms and accompanying guidelines, which are distinct from the Federal STRAC policy. These forms and guidelines are to be used when researchers apply for a research funding program under the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities. The forms and guidelines are linked below.
- Safeguarding Your Research – Government of Canada
- Guidelines and Tools to Implement Research Security – Government of Canada
- Assessing Your Risk Profile – Government of Canada
- G7 Best Practices for Secure and Open Research – Government of Canada
- Policy Statements on Research Security – Government of Canada
- Safeguarding Research at Ontario’s Universities – Ontario’s Universities
- A Shared Commitment by Universities to Protect Ontario’s Research – Ontario’s Universities
- Safeguarding Research in Canada: A Guide for University Policies and Practices – U15 Canada
- Research Security – Mitacs
- General Information on Research Security – Government of Canada
- Mitigating Economic and/or Geopolitical Risks in Sensitive Research Projects – Government of Canada
- Travel Security Guide for University Researchers and Staff – Government of Canada
- Guidance on Conducting Open Source Due Diligence – Government of Canada
Export Controls refers to the transfer of goods, services, and technology from Canada to a foreign country, regardless of the means of delivery. This includes, but is not limited to, the shipment of goods (e.g., lab materials, samples, and equipment); the electronic transfer of information (e.g., research results, publication of applied research, and software); and the provision of consulting services (e.g., training, instructing, and advising). As such, if you are sending anything related to your research to another country, you may need to apply for an Export Control Permit. Failure to adhere to these laws can result in prosecution by the Government of Canada, with possible fines and/or imprisonment. More information is linked below:
Export Controls – Global Affairs Canada
Effective as of July 20, 2024: Amendment to the Export Control List: Quantum computing and advanced semiconductors – Global Affairs Canada
- Research Security Training Courses – Government of Canada
- Centre for Biosecurity Webinar Series – Public Health Agency of Canada
- Safeguarding Science Initiative – Public Safety Canada
- China Defence Universities Tracker – The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)