Foreign Talent Recruitment programs

Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (FTRPs):

Foreign Talent Programs (FTPs) or Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (FTRPs) are foreign government-sponsored initiatives that recruit scientists, engineers, and academics, often in strategic tech areas, offering compensation like funding, titles, or travel. Some FTRPs are deemed "malign" (MFTRPs) due to requiring activities that conflict with U.S. research security, such as Intellectual Property (IP) transfer or non-disclosure, posing risks to U.S. economy, innovation, security, and global competitiveness. Participating in FTRPs is not prohibited; some are mutually beneficial, however, the line blurs when programs incentivize activities contrary to U.S. research values or require non-disclosure, making them a significant concern for U.S. security. 

Common Examples of FTRPs:

  • Receiving compensation or funding from a foreign university, entity, or government laboratory in exchange for research collaboration or affiliation.
  • Holding an honorary or adjunct appointment at a foreign institution that includes research expectations or reporting obligations.
  • Participation in foreign-sponsored talent or recruitment initiatives offering salary supplements, lab funding, or travel support. 

Participation does not automatically indicate wrongdoing; disclosure allows UTC to review and ensure compliance with federal requirements.

When does a FTRP become suspicious or prohibited MFTRP?

  • Problematic Sponsorship: Sponsored by foreign governments (national, provincial, local) particularly by a country of concern or a prohibited entity such as China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.
  • Problematic Requirements: The program requires the participant to do one or more of the following:
    • Unauthorized Transfer: Unlawfully or unauthorized transfer of IP, materials, data, or non-public information to the foreign entity.
    • Conflicts of Interest: Engaging in work that conflicts with, overlaps, or duplicates U.S. federal research awards.
    • Recruitment: Recruiting others to join the talent program.
    • Lack of Transparency: Requiring the researcher to keep their participation in the program secret from their U.S. employer or funding agencies.
    • Establishing Foreign Labs: Establishing a laboratory or accepting a faculty position in a foreign country in violation of the terms of a U.S. research award.
    • Irrevocable Contracts: A contract or agreement that the researcher cannot terminate.

Do FTRPs/MFTRPs recruit researchers only?

No, FTRPs/ MFTRPs do not recruit researchers only. While they heavily target scientists, engineers, and academics, these programs also target entrepreneurs, trainees, and professionals with specialized knowledge in technical fields to acquire intellectual property, data, or expertise. 

  • Target Audience: Recruiters often target individuals with specialized skills or high-level expertise in emerging technology sectors, including students (trainees) and industry experts, not just established academic researchers.
  • Targeted Positions: Besides research positions, programs may require participants to establish companies, take on faculty roles, or consult for foreign entities.

U.S. Federal Government Response:

Certification Requirements

Under the CHIPs and Science Act, and related federal agency requirements (NSF, DOE, DOD, NIH), researchers must certify that they are not participating in a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (MFTRP) as a condition of certain federal awards.

Prohibitions

According to the federal requirements and UT RE0003 Policy researchers are prohibited from participating in MFTRPs and cannot apply for or receive federal research funding. 

Consequences

Undisclosed commitment to a FTRP/ MFTRP have serious consequences, including prohibition from participating in federally sponsored research or significant professional and financial consequences for both the investigator and the institution. Participation also poses risks to U.S. national security. MFTRP participants have faced charges of export-control law violations; economic espionage and theft of trade secrets; and grant and tax fraud.

UTC Response
  • All UTC researchers and non-researchers are required to carefully review all agreements and thoroughly vet all arrangements to ensure that they are aware of any participation in an FTRP or MFTRP.
  • According to UT RE0003 Policy, participation in a FTRP MUST be disclosed through DASH Research Conflict of Interest Module (https://dash.tennessee.edu/home) and MUST be disclosed to federal sponsors through Bio sketches Common Form, SciENcv, Other Support Pages or similar within 30 days of the start of the participation.
  • If a researcher is unsure if an opportunity qualifies as a FTRP or a MFTRP, they should reach out to the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) at [email protected]
Contact ORI if
  • You are offered funding or compensation from a foreign institution or government entity.
  • You are asked to sign a foreign contract or agreement.
  • You are unsure whether an affiliation requires disclosure.
  • You are asked not to disclose an activity to your U.S. institution or sponsor.
Resources

 

Office of Research Integrity

Office of Research Integrity

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