National Security Presidential Memo-33 (NSPM-33)

In January 2021, the White House issued National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33). This memorandum requires federal funding agencies to mandate that all senior or key personnel disclose their sources of research funding. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of their funding sources and identifies any potential overlaps or conflicts. This directive applies to research universities that receive more than $50 million in federal research grants annually, including the University of Maryland. The primary goal of NSPM-33 is to enhance the protection of U.S. Government-supported Research and Development (R&D) against foreign interference and possible theft, while simultaneously fostering an inclusive environment that supports research breakthroughs and innovations that benefit both the United States and the global community.

In January 2022, the National Science & Technology Council published the "Guidance for Implementing National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) on National Security Strategy for U.S. Government-Supported Research and Development." This document provides instructions to enhance research security and delineate the responsibilities of researchers. It clarifies the execution of NSPM-33 for Federal funding agencies, offering broad recommendations for these agencies during the rollout phase and detailing guidance in five crucial sectors highlighted in NSPM-33:

• Standardized Disclosure Requirements
• Digital Persistent Identifiers
• Penalties for Non-compliance with Disclosure Norms
• Sharing of Information
• Research Security Measures in Line with NSPM-33

The focus of this guidance is transparency, laying out specific mandates and processes related to potential conflicts of interest and commitment.