Federal funding agencies, including the Department of War (DoW), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have recently introduced new regulations. This page provides critical information for Rice faculty, staff, students, and academic visitors on key federal policy updates that may impact federal funding.

Key Federal Policy Updates

RSEC reviews affiliations and collaborations against the following federal lists to screen for prohibited entities and assess research security risk:

Department of War (DoW): Risk Mitigation & Risk Assessment

The DoW conducts pre-award risk assessments based on the 2026 DoW Component Decision Matrix to Inform Fundamental Research Proposal Mitigation Decisions, released March 2026, as a guide for risk mitigation measures for fundamental research projects. The decision matrix comprises thirteen (13) components, including:

• Section 1286 List: Updated July 2026, prohibits collaboration with foreign institutions identified as engaging in problematic activity, including illicit technology transfer, military-civil fusion initiatives, or defense-related research for foreign adversaries.
• Section 1260H List: Updated June 2026, highlights foreign military companies (including Chinese military companies) operating directly or indirectly in the U.S.

NSF Dear Colleague Letter: Prohibition on Collaborations with Restricted Entities

On July 8, 2026, the National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) announcing strict new prohibitions on collaborations with entities on U.S. Restricted Party Lists (Appendix A of the DCL):

• Prohibited Research Activities: NSF funds may not be used for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements involving research collaborations with restricted entities or their employees.
• Personnel Restrictions: Senior/key personnel on NSF awards are strictly prohibited from:
  • Holding an appointment or position with a restricted entity.
  • Receiving financial or research support from a restricted entity.
  • Collaborating on NSF-funded research with a restricted entity or its employees.
• Mandatory Certification: Authorized Organizational Representatives (AORs) and senior/key personnel must certify compliance at the time of proposal submission.

NIH Notice NOT-OD-26-101: High-Risk Life Sciences & Foreign Components

On July 28, 2026, the NIH published guidance under NOT-OD-26-101 that implements federal funding prohibitions on International Research of Concern (IROC), defined as “Research conducted in a country of concern or outside of the United States by individuals or institutions of concern.”

NIH is required to develop resources and issue IROC oversight implementation guidance to research institutions within 120 days of this guidance (November 25, 2026).