Keeping global research vibrant and safe

Global understanding and collaboration are central to our ambition to improve life.

At University of Guelph our researchers are working with international colleagues to help solve worldwide challenges through ingenuity, innovation and partnerships.

Our research reputation is founded on open and collaborative partnerships with national and international partners in academic, government, industry and non-profit sectors. These play a key role in research advances and addressing social, technological and economic issues, and they require the research community to take steps to ensure their research is protected.

The Government of Canada has been collaborating with research institutions across the country to help raise the awareness of potential risks to their research and ensure that the research community is well-equipped to mitigate such risks, including the theft or misuse of knowledge and results.

Learn more about research security risks and best practices on the Government of Canada Safeguarding Your Research website.

Research Security at U of G

Dedicated Research Security resources have been established at U of G to develop and promote research security processes and practices. Contact us at research.security@uoguelph.ca for:

  • Assistance with due diligence/risk assessments for collaborations, partnerships, funding opportunities, hosting visiting scholars/students, etc.
  • Assistance with funding specific research security requirements.
  • Tailored presentations or briefings.
  • Assistance with related regulatory requirements including controlled goods, contract security sanctions or export controls.

Learn More About the Risks

If third parties obtain your research, risks include:

  • theft or misuse of research data
  • loss of intellectual property, patenting and potential revenue
  • legal or administrative reprisal
  • loss of potential future partnerships
  • tarnished reputation.

Good research security and cyber hygiene practices can minimize the risk of theft and ensure your research remains in your control (see Computing and Communications Services (CCS), University of Guelph: Information Security).

It is also important to be aware of the potential commercial applications of your research and to be aware of legal requirements such as export controls, working with controlled goods and sanctions.

See Government of Canada What are the risks? and Case Studies: Scenarios for further information.

What areas of research are most vulnerable?

Research security considerations are particularly important for:

  • Sensitive Technology Research Areas (STRAs)
  • Research related to critical infrastructure
  • Research related to critical minerals
  • Research involving sensitive, personal, or large datasets
  • Research areas covered by export-controlled 

See Government of Canada Annex A of the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships for definitions and examples.

Funding Requirements at a Glance

Certain funding programs require research security assessments. Below is a summary of the key funding programs with research security requirements:

Research Security Forms

FUNDING SOURCE RESEARCH SECURITY FORM WHEN IS IT REQUIRED? WHO NEEDS TO COMPLETE IT? WHERE TO START?
FEDERAL Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) Attestation Required if your research project is aiming to advance a Sensitive Technology Research Area. All named researchers need to complete it and then merge it into one PDF. * U of G Guide to the STRAC Policy
FEDERAL National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) Risk Assessment Form (RAF) Required if your research project involves a private-sector partner**. The PI in consultation with co-PI(s) needs to complete it. U of G Guide for Completing the NSGRP RAF
PROVINCIAL Application Attestation Always required. All named researchers need to complete it and collate them in a zip folder. * U of G Guide to MCU’s Research Security Requirements
PROVINCIAL Mitigating Economic and Geopolitical Risk (MEGR) Checklist Always required. The PI in consultation with co-PI(s) needs to complete it. U of G Guide to MCU’s Research Security Requirements

*In the above table:

  • Federal funding sources include Tri-Agency and CFI programs
  • Provincial funding sources include the Ontario Research Fund (ORF) and Early Researcher Awards

Other research sponsors commonly have research security requirements included.

Note, for some sponsors, research security requirements/questions are embedded within the application template and do not have standalone forms, such as Mitacs and OMAFA. See:

As research security requirements continue to evolve, it is important to consult the funding call/program guidelines for the latest requirements.

Additional Guides and Resources