Additional Foreign Collaboration Certifications and Questions Added to KC Proposal

USC is engaged in far-reaching, global research and learning programs and recognizes the importance of these international collaborations. As research and learning programs are becoming ever more global, federal sponsors are placing increased emphasis on the disclosure of foreign affiliations and source of support. To assist faculty in ensuring relationships with foreign entities comply with federal disclosure requirements, the below certification questions have been added to the certifications section of a KC Proposal.

Additional information on International Collaborations and Disclosure Requirements, including Sponsor Guidance, can be found on the Office of Culture, Ethics and Compliance website.

PI/Co-PI Certification Questions
The PI and Co-PI, if applicable, will answer the below certifications prior to approving and routing the proposal. Only the respective PI and Co-PI will be able answer the questions (i.e. the Proposal Initiator/RA, Department, or School Approvers cannot answer the above certification questions on behalf of the PI and/or Co-PI). Once the KC proposal is finalized, the questions and answers will be viewable to everyone with access rights to view the proposal. Prior to the KC Proposal being in a Final status, the questions will be viewable to those with pertinent access through the Key Personnel Tab.

For your protections, per federal requirements, please review the Federal Mandate to Disclose International Collaborations found here.

1) “I certify that I have read the above disclosure policies regarding international or outside support.” Yes/No.

• If Yes: (After successful completion of the additional certifications, the PI can approve/submit proposal).
• If No: An error will be displayed that reads: “You must read the above Federal Mandate prior to approving the proposal.”

2) “I certify that I have disclosed all international collaborations or support in the proposal.” Yes/No

• If Yes: The PI can approve/submit the proposal and the third certification would not be required.
• If No: The third certification would be required.

3) “I certify that I do not have any foreign support or involvement to disclose in the proposal.” Yes/No

• If Yes: The PI can approve/submit the proposal.
• o If No: An error will be displayed that reads: “You must disclose all international collaborations in the proposal prior to approving the proposal.”

Additional Proposal Questions
In addition to the certifications, the following additional proposal questions have been added to the Proposal Questions section of the KC Proposal.

1. Do you participate in a foreign talent program? Yes/No
2. Will any significant scientific element of this project occur outside the United States? Yes/No
   Help Text: For this purpose, “significant” includes collaborations with investigators at a foreign entity that may result in co-authorship, use of facilities
   or instrumentation at a foreign site, and/or receipt of financial support or resources from a foreign entity.
   
   1. If Yes, List all foreign components in the proposal.
3. Do you receive any foreign support for your research efforts? Yes/No
   Help Text: Foreign support includes all positions and scientific appointments from foreign institutions, funding support in the form of grants or gifts,
   and/or in-kind support (e.g. office/laboratory space, equipment, supplies, employees, and scientific materials)
   
   1. If Yes, List all support in Current and Pending Support forms and complete disclosure in diSClose).
4. Do you intend to collaborate with entities or individuals based or ordinarily resident in Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria, or Sudan? Yes/No
   
   1. If Yes, OCEC review is required prior to proposal submission.
5. Will any information, equipment, materials, software or technology related to the project be exported by you or anyone else at USC in the course of the project? Yes/No
6. Does the research involve encryption, military (ITAR) and/or space technology (e.g. satellites, explosives, military training, military vessels, vessels, and equipment)? Yes/No
7. Does the proposed research involve access to export controlled information or technology such as government or third-party confidential information identified as export restricted? Yes/No
8. Has the sponsor indicated that it will require prior approval on publications, that the project will be export controlled, or that it will restrict the participation of foreign nationals? Yes/No