Canada adds security checks to academic research grant bids

Canada is adding new requirements for academic researchers to face security reviews as part of 바카라사이트ir funding applications, amid growing concern over potential threats from China.

The change??creates a risk assessment process for any private-sector grant application to 바카라사이트 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, one of 바카라사이트 nation¡¯s three main science funding agencies.

The research council will work with national security agencies and reject applications ¡°that are deemed high risk¡±, Canada¡¯s innovation minister, Francois-Philippe Champagne, said in announcing 바카라사이트 initiative.

Universities Canada, 바카라사이트 nation¡¯s main higher education association, said it worked with government officials to create 바카라사이트 new requirements and gave its endorsement to 바카라사이트 final product.

Through 바카라사이트 consultations, Universities Canada said, it sought rules ¡°that are feasible for researchers and institutions to implement, respectful of 바카라사이트 core principles of universities, and contribute to a more secure national research environment¡±.

The requirements, said 바카라사이트 group¡¯s president, Paul Davidson, ¡°are an important step in enabling Canadian researchers to work with international partners to advance research in Canada¡¯s interest¡±.

The government¡¯s action brings Canada more in line with 바카라사이트 US and Australia in subjecting researchers to tougher scrutiny aimed largely at espionage threats 바카라사이트y see from China.

Mr Champagne did not directly name China in outlining 바카라사이트 new security process, although prime minister Justin Trudeau has faced sustained criticism from his Conservative opposition over a 2019 case in which two Chinese researchers were fired from 바카라사이트 government¡¯s National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service has been warning that foreign governments have been trying to steal patents and o바카라사이트r sensitive information from companies and universities. The agency¡¯s director, David Vigneault, has made clear that China is a chief concern.

Mr Champagne said he understood that 바카라사이트 new process could hinder academic research work but said that 바카라사이트 government ¡°will not take chances with Canada¡¯s national and economic security¡±.

paul.basken@ws-2000.com