New Interim Policy “Participation in Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs” – July 2024

July 18, 2024 News, Research Security

The following message was sent via email to all University of Maine employees on July 18, 2024 by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School.

Dear Colleagues,

As highlighted in a recent communication on May 31, 2024, the federal government has directed the university community to exercise extreme caution related to involvement with Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (FTRP) due to the concern that they may be used by foreign governments to acquire U.S. government-funded scientific research and valuable intellectual property. The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 directs federal research sponsors to maintain policies which:

  • require covered individuals to disclose all participation in FTRPs, and
  • prohibit recipients of federal support from participating in any malign FTRPs (MFTRPs)

Federal agencies have started implementing these policies. To support these federal agency requirements, the University of Maine has recently implemented a new interim Policy regarding FTRP and MFTRP (Word); this Policy and additional information about FTRP and MFTRP, including sponsor-specific information, can be found on the University’s guidance page on Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs.

We encourage you to carefully review the University’s new Policy, FTRP guidance, and sponsor-specific requirements as you prepare proposals.

The Office of Research Administration (ORA) and Office of Research Compliance (ORC) will host several sessions in the coming months to discuss the requirements and process, and to address questions. In the interim, keep in mind that not all FTRPs are cause for concern, but they must be appropriately disclosed to federal research sponsors, as required.

If after reviewing the new Policy and guidance you are unsure whether your program or activity meets the definition of an FTRP or MFTRP, please contact the export compliance team in the Office of Research Compliance at um.export@maine.edu for assistance.

Inquiries related to sponsor-specific forms, policies, and procedures may be directed to Amy Elliott (amy.elliott@maine.edu) in the Office of Research Administration.