Countering Foreign Interference in Research and Innovation
An official publication of the European Commission provides a toolbox for mitigating foreign interference in research and innovation (available under “download and languages”, including the Slovak version). The publication presents good practices that higher education institutions and research organisations can use when developing tailored strategies to safeguard their research environments against foreign interference.
Foreign interference refers to activities that are coercive, covert, deceptive, or corrupting and that are contrary to the sovereignty, values, and interests of the European Union. These activities may affect research agendas, partnerships, funding, data, or the integrity of scientific work.
Questionnaire for Identifying Possible Foreign Influence
When carrying out assessments, institutions are encouraged to draw inspiration from the questionnaire designed to identify potential foreign influence within organisations of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS).
Sharing identified findings with the SAS Office is essential for establishing and strengthening internal rules and procedures aimed at detecting and addressing potential negative foreign influence. By doing so, institutions help to protect research results, safeguard the reputation of SAS, and support the professional integrity of colleagues and research teams.
How to Proceed When Cooperating with a Non‑EU Entity
When considering cooperation with an entity based outside the European Union, the following steps are recommended:
- Consult the European Union sanctions map to determine which restrictive measures apply to the country from which the prospective partner originates.
- Screen the entity using the Open Sanctions database to identify potential listings, ownership links, or other risk indicators.
- If there are concerns related to security risks (such as data theft, loss of know‑how, or misuse of research for dual‑use purposes), or if cooperation with a non‑EU country is being planned more broadly, consult the Research Security Coordinator at SAS (contact details to be updated).
These steps support a risk‑based, proportionate approach to international cooperation, in line with Horizon Europe principles, the Council Recommendation on strengthening research security, and the EU’s commitment to open but secure research.