The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced a new annual certification requirement for Principal Investigators (PIs) and co-Principal Investigators (co-PIs) regarding Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRP). This requirement aims to ensure that individuals involved in NSF-funded research are not participating in programs that could compromise the integrity and security of U.S. research.
Key Details of the Certification Requirement
Starting June 7, 2025, all PIs and co-PIs named on NSF awards made on or after May 20, 2024, must certify annually in Research.gov that they are not party to a MFTRP. This certification is crucial for maintaining eligibility to serve as senior/key personnel on NSF proposals and awards.
Important Points to Note:
- Individual Certification: The certification requirement applies to PIs and co-PIs, not organizations.
- Annual Certification: Impacted PIs and co-PIs will be prompted to complete the certification annually after signing into Research.gov.
- Single Certification: PIs and co-PIs with multiple active awards made on or after May 20, 2024, need to certify only once per year.
- Certification Visibility: Once completed, the certification response can be viewed under the Academic/Professional Information section of the individual’s profile.
Future Expansion and Organizational Access
NSF is working to expand the MFTRP certification requirement to include all senior/key personnel roles in the future. Additionally, efforts are underway to provide organizations with access to these annual certifications.
For more information on Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) responsibilities regarding senior/key personnel MFTRP certifications, refer to PAPPG Chapter II.D.1.d(ix).
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions and examples of MFTRP contracts will soon be available on the Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy website.
Contact Information
For questions about this requirement, contact researchsecurity@nsf.gov. For system-related inquiries, reach out to the NSF IT Service Desk at 1-800-381-1532 (7:00 AM – 9:00 PM ET; Monday – Friday except federal holidays) or the Research.gov team at rgov@nsf.gov.
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