ODU Faculty and Staff,
Please be aware that the National Science Foundation (NSF) recently issued Important Notice No. 149 () regarding research security. Many of the requirements of the notice are satisfied by the timely completion of the University required Research Security Training found in the ODU Research Portal.
The notice also requires that institutions maintain documentation of any contracts, grants, or any other agreements specific to foreign appointments, employment with a foreign institution, and participation in a foreign talent recruitment program. This includes documentation of awards directly between an individual faculty member and a foreign entity. This information must be reported on the individual’s Current & Pending Support document during proposal submission.
As the NSF notice requires the agreement to be on file for review upon request of NSF, the Proposal Transmittal Form will soon include a required question and upload field for key personnel to upload documentation of their individual agreements with foreign entities. Key personnel with active NSF awards will be contacted to disclose any current agreements with foreign entities.
The Division of Research & Economic Development (DivRED) will provide additional information as we approach the October 10, 2025 effective date. In addition to regular updates, workshops and webinars will be offered to assist the University community in maintaining compliance with this new requirement.
In preparation for new requirement, individuals who are key personnel on an active NSF award or plan to be key personnel on an NSF proposal should gather their individual agreements to be prepared for disclosure in accordance with the new requirement.
For questions or more information, please contact Sponsored Programs Administration – Pre-Award, which operates through the ODU Research Foundation, at preaward@odu.edu.