§19233 Review of Contracts and Agreements

Summary

Federal research agencies must be able to ask colleges and other groups applying for research money to send proof about any foreign ties of people named in the proposal. That includes things like foreign appointments, work for a foreign institution, participation in foreign talent programs, and other current or pending support. Agencies can require the applicant to check those documents against the agency’s rules about conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment. After reviewing the materials and talking with the applicant, an agency can replace or remove a person, cut the award amount, or pause or end the award if the foreign agreements get in the way of the funded work or duplicate it. When using these powers, agencies must try to protect people’s privacy, explain why they asked for documents when practical, require accusations to be proven by more likely than not, and, when possible, give people a chance to comment, rebut, and appeal before a final decision.