Dual Use Research of Concern

Dual Use Research of Concern

The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) has defined dual use research of concern (DURC) as “research that, based on current understanding, can be reasonably anticipated to provide knowledge, products, or technologies that could be directly misapplied by others to pose a threat to public health and safety, agricultural crops and other plants, animals, the environment, or materiel.”

PIs must screen their research proposals for external funding against eight questions derived from the federal guidelines and indicate on the internal SIUC Proposal Checklist if any of their research is subject to DURC regulations. Screening at the proposal stage is required to meet federal compliance requirements and will help to avoid unnecessary delays once a grant award is made.