4.5 Research security and intellectual property | Canada Foundation for Innovation

4.5.1 Research security

The CFI recognizes that open and collaborative research is indispensable to pushing the boundaries of science and addressing complex economic and societal challenges. We support international collaboration and believe in the principles of open science.

We work diligently with all Canadian research stakeholders to ensure that Canada’s research ecosystem remains as open as possible. Collectively, the CFI and our stakeholders also have the responsibility to ensure that this ecosystem is safe and secure.

We acknowledge that certain partnerships can pose a risk to Canada’s national security and that there may be risks involved in pursuing research and innovation, including theft, interference or unwanted transfer of knowledge, which have results that research teams and their members do not intend.

Currently, the CFI’s approach to research security is meant to mitigate two types of risks:

Risks related to partnerships with the private sector (in line with the Government of Canada’s National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP))
Risks related to affiliations of concern for projects advancing a sensitive technology research area (as per the Government of Canada’s Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC policy))

To mitigate these risks, we have implemented requirements for institutions both when they apply for funding and after they receive funding. These requirements include developing a risk mitigation strategy, submitting various forms throughout the funding cycle and maintaining regular communication with the CFI about changes to projects that could have an impact on the risk to national security.

Consult the “Research security” page on our website, Innovation.ca, for details of these requirements. We also encourage researchers and applicant institutions to consult the guidance provided on the Government of Canada’s Safeguarding Your Research website.

4.5.2 Intellectual property ownership

The CFI encourages using research results and new technologies to benefit Canadians. In particular, we encourage the development of productive partnerships, as this is among the most effective means of knowledge transfer and translation. The CFI does not keep or claim any ownership of, or exploitation rights to, any intellectual property arising from CFI-funded infrastructure projects. The CFI expects the recipient institution to determine intellectual property rights in accordance with its institutional policies.