Among the 11 strategically important research areas are artificial intelligence and big data technology, quantum science, and aerospace and satellite systems.

Ottawa is concerned that foreign adversaries are determined to acquire sensitive Canadian research and intellectual property by partnering on projects with academics in Canada.

The announcement builds on a federal statement issued Feb. 14, 2023 that research in key fields will not be funded if those involved are affiliated with institutions linked to military, defence or state security organizations of counties deemed a risk to Canada.

The government has published a list of the sensitive technology research areas and a complementary list of named research organizations with which researchers should avoid ties if they’re seeking federal funding.

The lists will be reviewed regularly to ensure they are current.

Among the listed organizations are the China Academy of Electronics and Information Technology, Iran’s Sharif University of Technology and the 33rd Scientific Research and Testing Institute.

Researchers should be mindful that institutions not currently on the list of flagged research organizations may still pose a risk, the government says.

Under the rules, applicants applying for a grant in a sensitive research field must attest that they are not affiliated with or in receipt of funding or in−kind support from a listed institution.

Following the attestation, a researcher must comply with the policy for the duration of the grant, the government says.

"No researcher linked to a listed organization can be involved in any research activities — including collaborations and co−publications — supported by the grant," says briefing material on the system.

The government stresses in the background materials that the new policy was developed in consultation with the research community.

While the rules will take effect soon, institutions and researchers will be given "sufficient time" to understand and implement the measures, the government says.

In crafting the new rules, federal officials appeared to be mindful of balancing the benefits of open and collaborative research with a need to protect cutting−edge advances from hostile powers that could undermine Canada’s national security.

Officials were wary of creating a chill within ethnic communities and rattling Canada’s bilateral relations as they fleshed out next steps, documents released through the Access to Information Act show.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2024.

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press