As one of the top global universities, McGill partners and collaborates in ways that enrich the global research ecosystem, enhance societal well-being, and contribute to Canadian economic growth. In this rapidly changing geopolitical context, your role as a researcher at McGill is crucial. You must assess and manage risks that emerge when research topics intersect with economic, political, or strategic interests.
The McGill Research Security & Compliance team is here to support you. We are committed to helping our researchers implement best practices in safeguarding research and navigating federal government policies and guidelines. These protect publicly funded research and intellectual property from national security risks.
McGill has a long-held commitment to openness in academic research and international collaboration. Equally important is our responsibility to ensure the security of its research and to implement protections against local or foreign interference.
Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC)
In January 2024, the Government of Canada announced the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC) and published a list of named research organizations (NRO) connected to the military, national defence, or state security entities of foreign state actors that pose a risk to Canada’s national security. In addition, the government published a list of sensitive technology research areas (STRA) and associated procedures for applying for federal research funding.
The government has provided extensive guidance to help researchers understand the policy and procedures and to guide the implementation and processes for institutions to comply with the new policy.
Steps for Researchers to Apply for Federal Grants
The information below is essential if you apply for NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR grants. Applicants must undertake a two-step process prior to applying for a grant / funding. Applicants are encouraged to complete the steps below well in advance of the grant application submission, in consultation with their institution’s research grants office.
Step 1: Is my proposed research grant advancing a STRA?
Suppose the research funded during the grant aims to support the generation or discovery of knowledge that contributes to progress in developing a technology described in the list of Sensitive Technology Research Areas. The list comprises high-level technology categories, where the sub-categories indicate the sensitive technology research areas of concern.
Consult the Sensitive Technology Research Areas list to decide.
Step 2: Am I required to complete an attestation form?
If you identified the grant as advancing a STRA:
At the application stage, researchers with named roles in the grant application must fill out and submit attestation forms to certify their compliance with the policy.
For the duration of the grant, all researchers (lead and co-lead applicants), including all HQP and collaborators involved in research activities supported by the grant, must comply with the policy for the project's duration.
For definitions of named roles (NSERC, SSHRC), please consult here.
For definitions of named roles (CIHR), please consult Question 7 of the FAQ.
To be considered for a grant application, named roles as defined above must not have an affiliation with any of the institutions on the Named Research Organizations list.
Process diagram
The diagram in this link can help researchers understand how to determine the impact of this policy on their applications to tri-council projects going forward.
How to Reach Us
research.security [at] mcgill.ca
National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP)
The National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships integrates national security considerations into developing, evaluating, and funding research partnerships. The Guidelines better position researchers, research organizations and Government funders to undertake consistent, risk-targeted due diligence on potential risks to research security.
If you are applying for grants with NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR and intend to use a private partner, the information from the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (science.gc.ca) page will help you assess the partner's risk and complete the risk assessment form.
Travel Security Recommendations (U15)
International travel for research is often required for conferences, data acquisition, information sharing, or establishing and maintaining collaborations that accelerate the pursuit of knowledge.
The present geopolitical reality means that Canadian researchers travelling abroad may be targeted for their access to data and specific sources of information.
The U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities and Universities Canada, in collaboration with the Government of Canada-Universities Working Group, has created a guide focusing on risks created due to the intersection of geopolitical dynamics and research areas. It describes the nature of economic and geopolitically motivated threats to you or your research, provides basic steps to mitigate risk and suggests actions you can take in case of incidents.