DoD 2025 Risk-Based Decision Matrix for Fundamental Research

DoD has published the 2025 Decision Matrix to Inform Fundamental Research Risk Decisions for all proposals submitted on or after May 9th, 2025. Highlights:

• Collaborations with entities and their employees listed in section 1286 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) are not permitted.
• Participation in a malign foreign talent recruitment program is not permitted. 
• Hosting a Confucius Institute is not permitted. 
• Affiliations after August 9, 2022 with entities on BIS entities list, the 1286 list, or the 1260H list are discouraged and require a documented mitigation plan.  
• Affiliations 10 years prior to October 10, 2019 with entities on BIS entities list, the 1286 list, or the 1260H list are suggested to have a documented mitigation plan. 
• Co-authoring publications with individuals after October 10, 2019 who are affiliated with entities on BIS entities list, the 1286 list, or the 1260H list are suggested to have a documented mitigation plan. 
• Co-authoring publications with individuals after October 10, 2019 who are listed on BIS denied persons list are suggested to have a documented mitigation plan.  
• Affiliations between October 10, 2019 and August 9, 2022 with entities on BIS entities list, the 1286 list, or the 1260H list are expected to have a documented mitigation plan. 
• Several other factors related to foreign talent recruitment programs, funding sources involving countries of concern and entities connected to countries of concern, as well as international patents are to be considered when conducting risk assessments.

Additional Resources

DoD risk-based decision matrix for fundamental research

Questions? Contact researchsecurity@emory.edu for more information.