NIST Associates (NA) will include guest researchers, research associates, contractors, and other non-NIST employees that require access to the NIST campuses or NIST resources. The NIST Associates Information System (NAIS) information collection instrument(s) are completed by incoming NAs. The NAs will be requested to provide personal identifying data including home address, date and place of birth, employer name and address, and basic security information. The data provided by the collection instruments will be input into NAIS, which automatically populates the appropriate forms, and is routed through the approval process. NIST's Office of Security receives security forms through the NAIS process and is able to allow preliminary access to NAs to the NIST campuses or resources. The data collected will also be the basis for further security investigations as necessary.
The Joint Committee on the Research Environment (JCORE) was established in May 2019 through the National Science Technology Council to address four critical issues related to the research enterprise (https://science.house.gov/imo/media/doc/Droegemeier%20Testimony1.pdf):
1. Strengthening the security of American research enterprise;
2. Creating safe and inclusive research environments;
3. Reducing administrative burdens on Federally-funded research; and
4. Improving rigor and integrity in research.
JCORE recommends that research organizations, like NIST establish policies and procedures to help protect the security and integrity of the S&T research enterprise. Among the recommendations, the following address the collection of information from potential NIST foreign national researches:
1. Establish high-level research security and integrity working groups and task forces to discuss, develop, implement, and review strategies to better coordinate and address concerns regarding protecting the security and integrity of its research enterprise.
2. Establish and administer organizational policies regarding conflicts of interest, commitment and disclosure.
3. Require that employees and affiliates disclose to the organization all information necessary to identify and assess potential conflicts of interest and commitment. Including the following:
i. Organizational affiliations and employment
ii. Other support, contractual or otherwise, direct and indirect, including current and pending private and public sources of funding or income, both foreign and domestic. For researchers, other support should include all resources made available to a researcher in support of and/or related to all of their professional R&D efforts, including resources provided directly to the individual rather than through the research institution, and regardless of whether or not they have monetary value (e.g., even if the support received is only in-kind, such as office/laboratory space, equipment, supplies, or employees). This should include resource and/or financial support from all foreign and domestic entities, including but not limited to, gifts provided with terms or conditions, financial support for laboratory personnel, and participation of student and visiting researchers supported by other sources of funding.
iii. Current or pending participation in, or applications to, programs sponsored by foreign governments, instrumentalities, or entities, including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs. Organizations should require that individuals disclose associated contract(s), upon request of the institution, in addition to the fact of participation.
iv. Positions and appointments. All positions and professional appointments both domestic and foreign that are relevant to the individualâs relationship to the research institution, including affiliations with foreign entities or governments. This includes titled academic, professional, or organizational appointments whether or not remuneration is received, and whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary (including adjunct, visiting, or honorary).
The goal of this effort is to ensure that scientists and students who follow laws, policies, regulations, and codes of conduct will be welcome and supported within a vibrant and secure enterprise that remains a desirable destination for researchers across the world.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
30-day corrected FRN published 03-18-2021.pdf
NIST-1 System of Records Notice.docx
General Information for Domestic Guest Researchers