Trusted research and innovation

‘Trusted research’ is a research and innovation sector term for protecting the UK’s intellectual property, sensitive research, people and infrastructure from potential theft, manipulation and exploitation, including as a result of interference by hostile actors.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has established its Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) Shared Capability Team in response to the increasing need across the sector to:

• help manage and provide guidance and support in ensuring collaborative activities are done safely and securely
• minimise the risks associated with operating within a global research and innovation ecosystem while maximising the opportunities

The team works across all of UKRI, bringing our programme of work together on this policy agenda. The team also works closely with partners across the UK to see where we can align policies, and where a coordinated approach may be useful.

We take a similar approach with our international stakeholders, where we work collaboratively to promote and contribute to a robust and trusted global research and innovation ecosystem, through the sharing of knowledge and good practice.

For general enquiries or further information, contact the UKRI Trusted Research and Innovation Shared Capability at email: trustedresearch&innovation@ukri.org

For press and media enquiries, contact email: press@ukri.org

Guidance on legislation

The relevant UK legislation is briefly described in the following section with links to further information. Consult with your organisation for further guidance and information.

The UK National Security and Investment Act (2021) provides the government with powers to scrutinise and intervene in business transactions (including by higher education and research organisations) in 17 key areas of the economy, to protect national security.

Any research and innovation activities that UKRI funds within these areas will therefore be subject to enhanced due diligence processes to ensure that risks associated with trusted research and innovation are effectively identified and proportionately mitigated against.

An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate is also now required for international students and researchers (apart from exempt nationalities) studying or researching subjects or research areas where knowledge could be used in programmes to develop advanced conventional military technology (ACMT), weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) or their means of delivery.

The UK’s regulatory framework for strategic export controls applies to anyone exporting or transferring goods, software or technology, or providing brokering services. The UK maintains a list of all items that are subject to strategic export controls. This is known as the consolidated list of strategic military and dual-use items that require export authorisation. The list includes items that are controlled because of international agreements or arrangements as well as further items relating to specific defence or security concerns of the UK. Guidance for academic researchers includes areas that are exempt.

The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) is a two-tier scheme which will require the registration of arrangements to carry out political influence activities in the UK at the direction of a foreign power. The enhanced tier of FIRS gives the Secretary of State the power to require registration of a broader range of activities for specified countries, parts of countries or foreign government-controlled entities where this is necessary to protect the safety of interests of the UK.

The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 will strengthen the legal requirements on universities and colleges in relation to free speech and academic freedom, and the Office for Students regulatory role.

UKRI policies and guidance

UKRI continues to update its processes and approaches to reflect best practices and policies relating to trusted research and innovation. We continue to engage with the UK government to consider how our talented community can respond to changing government policies in this space.

In 2021, we updated our terms and conditions for research grants to require recipients of UKRI funding to ensure that appropriate due diligence is undertaken on their collaborative activities.

In April 2024, two new conditions were added to outline TR&I expectations for organisations in receipt of UKRI funding. Amendments have also been made to clarify adherence to statutory requirements, all UK legislation and sanctions, with specific reference to including export controls, the UK National Security and Investment Act and the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS).

To support recipients when considering their approaches to ensuring trusted research and innovation, UKRI has published a set of principles.

External guidance

Further information and guidance on trusted research from UK government and others:

• Universities UK, UKRI and National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) overview of higher education guidance on managing security-related issues (PDF, 350KB)
• NPSA: trusted research guidance for academia and industry
• NPSA: secure innovation: guidance for emerging technology sector
• Universities UK: managing risks in internationalisation: security related issues
• The Higher Education Export Control Association resources
• Export Control Joint Unit: guidance on export controls applying to academic research

Examples of good practice for researchers

Cabinet Office risk case studies on trusted research for academia (YouTube)

NPSA implementation scenario videos

Last updated: 6 January 2025