APS Encouraged by New Guidance for NSPM-33 Implementation

The American Physical Society (APS) is encouraged by the Biden Administration’s recently published implementation guidance for National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33). The guidance—published as a report by the National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Research Security of the Joint Committee on the Research Environment—provides the federal science agencies direction on key areas of research security.

The report contains several guidance provisions for agencies that are aligned with APS recommendations that have been central to the Society’s advocacy efforts. These include: establishing standardized disclosure requirements for researchers across agencies; providing a pathway to enable researchers to correct past disclosure mistakes; and involving the Department of Justice only “when warranted.” Additionally, the guidance document explicitly requires that “Agencies must implement NSPM-33 provisions and related requirements in a nondiscriminatory manner that does not stigmatize or treat unfairly members of the research community, including members of ethnic or racial minority groups.”

APS will continue to work with the Biden Administration to help ensure that the United States maintains an environment for fundamental research that is both open and secure and continues to be a destination of choice for global talent.

The full guidance is available on the White House website.