Academic freedom, open science, and international cooperation are pillars of research and innovation. In an increasingly complex international context, however, it is essential to recognize that these principles presuppose an ever-higher degree of academic responsibility and must be balanced with an awareness of potential risks, such as unwanted transfers of sensitive knowledge and technologies, possible malicious external interference in the conduct of research, misuse of technologies and results, and violations of national and EU regulations on the export of dual-use goods, software, and technologies.

Such awareness and responsibility are fundamental to developing research that is simultaneously open, secure, and compliant with regulations throughout its entire life cycle ("safe collaboration by design"). Therefore, from the earliest stages of planning and implementing scientific projects, it is essential to proactively assess the potential risks and critical issues associated with the activities to be undertaken. 

At the European and national levels, coordinated initiatives are underway to offer tools and guidelines to raise awareness and promote proportionate risk management. In this context, it is fundamental that the academic community has access to adequate tools to assess and manage these aspects, while maintaining an approach that is open, responsible, and consistent with the principles guiding scientific activity. 

Tools and Actions for Research Security

To support researchers in managing issues related to export, dual-use and research in sensitive contexts, and in compliance with the National Framework For the Integrity and Security of Research and the Guidelines for Research Institutions for the Integrity and Security of Research published in August 2025 by the Ministry of University and Research, the University is equipping itself with dedicated tools designed to facilitate risk assessment and management without introducing unnecessary complexity:

• Advisory Group on Research Ethics and Integrity
• Guidelines on Research Security and Dual Use (currently being finalized)
• Checklist (currently being finalized

Key national and European regulations

Research Security

• COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION of 23 May 2024 on enhancing research security
• Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca (MUR): Sicurezza della ricerca
• Toolkit for Tackling R&I foreign interference

Export control e Dual use

• Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items
• Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/1700 of 15 September 2021 on internal compliance programmes for controls of research involving dual-use items under Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items
• DECRETO LEGISLATIVO 15 dicembre 2017, n. 221 “Attuazione della delega al Governo di cui all'articolo 7 della legge 12 agosto 2016, n. 170, per l'adeguamento della normativa nazionale alle disposizioni della normativa europea ai fini del riordino e della semplificazione delle procedure di autorizzazione all'esportazione di prodotti e di tecnologie a duplice uso e dell'applicazione delle sanzioni in materia di embarghi commerciali, nonché per ogni tipologia di operazione di esportazione di materiali proliferanti”.
• Autorità nazionale – UAMA (Unità per le autorizzazioni dei materiali di armamento) – Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale

On the Service Desk you can find additional references to Legislation and Resources on Research Security, Export Control and Dual Use.