The EU Research Security Initiative: Implications for the Application of Export Controls in Academia and Research Institutes

In response to growing national security and economic security concerns, an increasing number of states, including in the European Union (EU), are in the process of adopting measures to strengthen research security. In parallel, in May 2024 the EU Council adopted a recommendation on enhancing research security. The Council recommendation referred to a range of EU and national policy instruments which could play a role in research security, including export controls. However, there have been challenges in applying export controls in academia and research institutes, and these challenges could be exacerbated by the addition of research security requirements. To address the risks that come with linking research security and export controls, the EU and EU member states should take measures to strengthen awareness among academia and research institutes of both sets of measures, and to make use of the current momentum to strengthen the application of controls on intangible transfers of technology.