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December 10, 2024

New “Research Technology and Economic Security Framework” Describes Risks to DOE’s Scientific Enterprise and Actions to Minimize, Mitigate, and Manage Them

On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced the release of a memo, issued in November 2024 by the Deputy Secretary for Energy, that describes a framework designed to minimize foreign risks to the scientific enterprise of DOE and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

The “Research Technology and Economic Security Framework” memo outlines the approach DOE’s Office of Research, Technology & Economic Security (RTES) undertakes to protect DOE’s early-stage Research and Development (R&D) in academic settings, applied R&D stage projects, and Demonstration and Deployment stage projects while maintaining an open, collaborative, and world-leading scientific enterprise. The framework highlights DOE’s commitment to mitigation when assessing RTES risk and identifies its goals and processes, along with details like high-level risk factors and definitions, such as “Covered Individuals.” It codifies a harmonized approach across all DOE/NNSA funding offices and ensures right-sized requirements for each stage of technology development.

Join an Informational Webinar to Learn More

To assist the applicant and recipient community in understanding and adapting to the recently published framework, DOE will host webinars to introduce the approach and answer questions. Funding awardees and prospective applicants are encouraged to review the framework and attend one of two webinars.

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 at 3 p.m. ET 

Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 at 2 p.m. ET

In the coming months, DOE intends to publish additional resources that build on this framework. Once those subsequent resources are released, DOE will schedule listening sessions to gather feedback from the community. The Department recognizes that risk factors will change over time, as DOE adapts to changes in the geopolitical landscape, evolving congressional requirements, and community input. The Department encourages the applicant and recipient community to engage with DOE’s RTES Office on the recently published framework, to inform forthcoming guidance and resources.

About DOE’s RTES Office

DOE’s Office of Research, Technology & Economic Security, situated in the Department’s Office of International Affairs and commonly referred to as “RTES,” undertakes several risk mitigation activities that support DOE’s responsibility to protect federal investments from undue foreign influence and to accomplish its mission in ways that protect and further energy security and technological advancement of the United States.

Specifically, RTES identifies and addresses potential security risks that threaten the scientific enterprise; establishes best practices for programs; conducts outreach activities for stakeholders; educates Department programs on potential security risks; and conducts or facilitates risk assessments of DOE proposals, loans, and awards. More information about RTES’s mission, activities, events, and ways to get involved are available on the RTES website.

Learn More about RTES and EERE’s Funding Opportunities

To receive DOE’s notices of energy innovation funding, prize, and competition opportunities and changes to its application and review processes, all BTO funding awardees and prospective applicants are encouraged to subscribe to EERE’s Funding Listserv on the EERE Funding Opportunities website. Additionally, the RTES Office welcomes feedback from the research community, and they can be reached by email at RTESinfo@hq.doe.gov.

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