On February 4, 2026, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued NOT-OD-26-033,“Adjusted Timeline for NIH’s Implementation of Common Forms,” confirming that NIH will not withdraw initial applications, JITs, RPPRs, or Prior Approvals submitted on or after January 25 that fail to use Common Forms via SciENcv for Biographical Sketches, Current and Pending (Other) Support and NIH Biographical Sketch Supplements, as the agency had previously communicated.  Instead, NIH will provide a warning message when the Common Forms are not used.  Applicants and recipients are still encouraged to begin using the Common Forms as soon as possible.

The article highlights how geopolitical pressures, particularly from the United States, are increasingly shaping academic collaboration between Japan and China. It argues that, while scholarly engagement and exchange have traditionally relied on mutual trust and openness, recent shifts in U.S. policy and security concerns are casting a long “shadow” over these ties, triggering greater scrutiny of joint research, talent flows and institutional cooperation. The piece cautions that broadly extending security measures across all academic disciplines risks undermining the international exchange that drives scientific progress and soft power, and encourages a more balanced, proportionate approach that safeguards research integrity without stifling legitimate collaboration. (more)

A Wall Street Journal report describes the acquittal of John Rogers, a former senior adviser at the Federal Reserve, on charges of conspiring to commit economic espionage on behalf of China, in a case closely watched by the research and national security communities. While jurors rejected prosecutors’ claims that Rogers knowingly shared sensitive Federal Reserve economic information with Chinese intelligence officers posing as academics, they did convict him of making false statements to investigators about whether he had shared restricted information. The case highlighted longstanding concerns about foreign intelligence targeting U.S. research and policy institutions, as well as the vulnerabilities created through long-term relationship cultivation, overseas academic engagements, and personal pressures. (more)

In this opinion piece, the author argues that national security reviews have become a core leadership discipline for universities operating in an increasingly complex global environment.  Universities must  incorporate proportional, transparent and strategic review processes into their research governance. The author stresses that effective security assessments should balance risk mitigation with the sector’s fundamental mission of open collaboration and knowledge exchange.
 

Drawing on developments in Australia, he suggests that institutions can lead globally by strengthening partnerships with government and inter-institutional structures.  The article calls for clear frameworks that protect people and intellectual capital while preserving academic freedom and fostering the collaborations that drive innovation. (more)

Registration is open for COGR’s virtual membership meeting, taking place February 24-27, 2026, and the preliminary agenda has been posted.  Research security-related topics include:
 

• FDP Cybersecurity Demonstration Update

• Implementing DOJ’s Bulk Sensitive Data Rule

• Latest News from the NSF SECURE Center

FDP Cybersecurity Demonstration Update

Implementing DOJ’s Bulk Sensitive Data Rule

Latest News from the NSF SECURE Center

Registration is open for the 2026 Academic Security and Counter Exploitation (ASCE) Program, marking the10th anniversary of the largest research security conference in the world: February 24 - 26, 2026. (more)

Texas A&M University’s Research and Innovation Security and Competitiveness (RISC) Institute disseminates weekly RISC Media Bulletins, covering topics related to research security, foreign influence, and the intersection of science, technology, and national security.  To join the distribution list for the RISC Bulletin or view previous editions, access this link for more info.

Faculty Researchers at universities, non-profits or other research institutions, who have received federal funding and are working in quantum computing, computer science, and related fields are invited to volunteer for short virtual information-gathering sessions.  The sessions, organized by the NSF-funded SECURE Center, aim to gather researchers’ perspectives on challenges related to research security and international collaboration, with a focus on developing practical, low-burden resources to address these challenges. Participation will directly inform future guidance, training, and tools intended to reduce administrative workload and impediments to international collaborations while safeguarding research. Openings are currently available for sessions on:
 

• Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 1-2:00 pm ET

• Friday, February 20, 2026, 2-3:00 pm ET
   

Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 1-2:00 pm ET

Friday, February 20, 2026, 2-3:00 pm ET
 

Faculty researchers are encouraged to share this opportunity with research colleagues who may be interested. Questions or interest to participate should be directed to SECURE Center staff at researchsecurity@nd.edu.

Each week the SECURE Center hosts events through the National and Regional Centers, including co-creation workshops, educational, and engagement sessions with the research community. The events calendar provides more information about these opportunities and more.

2026 issues of the Research Security Briefing are available on the SECURE Center website.

A combined, searchable version of all 2025 issues of the Briefing is also available.

Looking to participate in NSF SECURE Center co-creation activities or contribute to weekly briefings?

Contact info@secure-center.org or sign up here.

The information provided by the NSF SECURE Center is intended for general research and educational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of our content, we do not guarantee its completeness, timeliness, or applicability to specific circumstances. Each user is responsible for conducting their own risk assessments and making decisions based on independent judgment. 

Further, the NSF SECURE Center does not provide professional or legal advice, and users are encouraged to consult qualified professionals before making decisions based on the information found here. The NSF SECURE Center shall not be liable for any damages or costs of any type arising out of or in any way connected with your use of this information. External links are provided for convenience and do not constitute an endorsement of the content or services offered by any third-party resources.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement No. 2403771.  Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Briefing Contents