Research Compliance is Evolving
Over the past few months, federal agencies have introduced new requirements related to research security, disclosures, foreign collaborations, funding transparency, and research integrity. In August 2026, the White House released the National Security Science and Technology Strategy, reinforcing research security as a national priority through enhanced oversight of federally funded research and streamlined reporting requirements.
As the federal research landscape continues to evolve, several recent updates to agency requirements, guidance, and compliance expectations may have implications for your work. These changes span multiple areas of research compliance, and, in some cases, noncompliance can result in funding restrictions, enforcement actions, civil penalties, or criminal liability. Staying informed is increasingly important for both researchers and the institution.
We invite you to join the Federal Requirements Update, Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 10 a.m., an opportunity for researchers and research support staff to learn about these developments, discuss practical considerations, and explore the resources available to help our community remain successful and compliant.
One area receiving increased attention is the Stevens Amendment, a longstanding federal requirement that promotes transparency about the use of taxpayer-funded research. Understanding these expectations can help researchers ensure federal support is appropriately recognized.
Stevens Amendment
The Stevens Amendment is a federal disclosure requirement first enacted through Section 511 of Public Law 101-166. The provision is included in annual appropriations legislation for certain programs funded by the Departments of Labor (DoL), Health and Human Services (DHHS), and Education (DoEd).
When Stevens Amendment compliance is required, the requirement is generally identified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Notice of Award (NoA), or other award terms and conditions. The NIH is part of DHHS and compliance with the Stevens Amendment is required for all NIH awards. Recipients should review award documentation carefully to determine applicability and use disclosure language provided, if applicable.
For more information visit General Guidance | FSU Office of Research
Agency Specific Requirements
We've recently updated our Federal Research Updates and Guidance page to include the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) Research Security Matrix, a helpful resource that summarizes agency-specific research security requirements in one place.
As federal expectations continue to evolve, we encourage Principal Investigators and all project personnel to review applicable sponsor requirements and ensure disclosures are accurate and complete at both proposal submission and throughout the life of an award.
For questions or assistance, please contact FSU Research Integrity, Security, and Ethics at research-compliance@fsu.edu. Our team is available to help researchers navigate evolving requirements and connect them with the resources they need to remain compliant and successful.