NSF Important Notice No. 149 Update – Effective December 2, 2025

Dear UCI Research Community:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) updated its policy regarding research security assessments and required recipient documentation that will take effect today, December 2, 2025. Please see the email from NSF below this message.

Key Policy Changes

Research Security Assessments

NSF reserves the right to perform risk assessments, using analytical tools, of proposals and awards submitted to the Foundation to:

• Assess nondisclosures of required information from senior/key personnel
• Establish policies and procedures for identifying, communicating, and addressing security risks that may threaten the integrity of NSF-supported research and development

Required Documentation

NSF proposers and recipients are required to maintain supporting documentation for all senior/key personnel, including:

• Copies of contracts, grants, or any other agreements specific to foreign appointments
• Employment agreements with foreign institutions
• Participation documentation for foreign talent recruitment programs
• Other information reported as current and pending (other) support

Important: This documentation must be available to NSF upon request.

The Office of Research will be providing more information and guidance in the coming weeks to assist you in meeting these requirements.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to Jeff Warner at warnerj@uci.edu.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

 

 

Dear Colleague,

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is providing this  correspondence to inform organizations, and Authorized Organizational Representatives, that starting December 2, 2025, the new requirements set forth in NSF Important Notice No. 149 will take effect.

What you need to know:

• Proposals submitted before December 2, 2025, including those submitted during the recent lapse in appropriations, are not subject to those requirements originally set to take effect on October 10, 2025.
• As of December 2, 2025, such new certifications are required at the time of proposal submission within the Cover Sheet, Biographical Sketch, and Current and Pending (Other) Support forms. These include new certifications related to:
• Completion of research security training by all senior/key personnel; and
• An institution of higher education’s status regarding contracts or agreements with any Confucius Institute.
• Organizations are required to provide supporting documentation, including copies of grants, contracts, and agreements, upon request by NSF.
• To assist research organizations and investigators, NSF has published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page summarizing the new requirements, certification procedures, and relevant timelines. Access the FAQs here.

If you have questions regarding these requirements, please contact researchsecurity@nsf.gov for additional guidance.

Best Regards,