Research & Innovation Security & Competitiveness Institute (RISC)
The Leading Resource for Securing the Research Enterprise
The RISC Institute is dedicated to protecting the strengths of our academic and industrial research communities while promoting forward-thinking, innovative approaches to research security.
A weekly digest from the RISC Institute tracking the policy, geopolitical, and institutional developments driving research security practice across higher education and federal research. Read the most recent release from September 28th.
Hosted annually by the RISC Institute, the 11th annual Academic Security and Counter Exploitation Conference will be held on Feb. 23-25, 2027 at the A&M Hotel and Conference Center
Survey respondents will be entered into a drawing for one of two virtual registrations for ASCE 2027
Serving Texas, The Nation and the International Community
The RISC Institute leverages strengths of Texas A&M University’s existing research security program leadership, external partner capabilities, and compliance tools to focus on: education and training, service, outreach, and research.Education & Training
Train a new generation of research security professionals and provide continuing education.
- Bush School of Government and Public ServiceResearch Security Graduate Certificate(AY2026) | Executive Master of Public Service & Administration Degree – Research Security Track (AY 2027) | Ph.D. with Public Service/Research Security Focus (Aspirational)
- Research Security Professional Certification
- Awareness & TrainingDue Diligence Best Practices | Research Security for Executive Leadership
Service
Assist institutions currently lacking resources to create effective, due-diligence programs and provide a source of expertise to the research security workforce.
- Academic Security & Exploitation (ASCE) Annual Training Seminar (in 10th year)
- Critical & Emerging Technology Protection Program (CETPP)
- University Research Security Professionals Association (URSPA)
- Weekly Open-Source Media Summary
- National Science Foundation (NSF) SECURE Analytics ($17.5M over five years)
- NSF SECURE Southwest Regional Center in collaboration with Colorado State University ($2.1M over 5 years
Outreach
Build deeper affiliations within academic, corporate and government communities to ensure relevancy and enhance research outcomes.
- State of TexasVarious Research Security Bills
- Texas Veterans CommissionWorkforce Development for Research Security
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)Building Partnerships
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of State/CRDF GlobalInternational Programs in Research Security
Research
Analyze current processes and study changing risk factors to reduce the likelihood and/or impact of information theft and misappropriation.
- National Science FoundationResearch Security Training for the U.S.: The Importance of Disclosure
- Partnership with Finch AIFurther develop tools and approaches that protect the strength of the global academic and industrial research communities | Promote risk management
Enhancing Research Security
Objectives for Research and Innovation Security and CompetitivenessDevelop Training Programs
Develop awareness, training, and educational programs necessary to build a workforce with technical expertise and experience focused on integrating security into every aspect of business and academic culture.
Be a Technical Resource
Serve the nation as the technical resource for establishing, managing, and assessing the research security programs and policies fundamental to maintaining national security and economic competitiveness.
Be a Leader
Lead the national and international community in outreach necessary for securing the academic and industrial research enterprise.
Analyze and Assess
Analyze and assess the research security implications of critical and emerging technologies.
Contact the RISC Institute
Contact the Research & Innovation Security & Competitiveness Institute.
bushschool.risc@tamu.edu