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v2026.1714 entries · CC-BY 4.0
Dictionary termTrack DStablev2026.2

Trusted research framework (UK)

The United Kingdom guidance and supporting tools developed by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (now NPSA) in collaboration with UKRI and university bodies, providing practical advice to researchers and institutions on managing risks of international research collaboration.

ByCASRAI Editorial Board
· Last updated 21 May 2026

Examples

Worked examples

  • Is an instance

    A UK university applies Trusted Research due diligence checks before signing a research agreement with an overseas industrial partner.

  • Is an instance

    Researchers consult Trusted Research guidance to assess whether a sensitive technology area is involved in a planned collaboration.

Counter-examples

Looks similar, but isn't

  • Not an instance

    A purely domestic UK collaboration outside sensitive areas typically does not require formal Trusted Research review beyond standard institutional processes.

  • Not an instance

    Internal departmental administration unrelated to international collaboration is outside Trusted Research scope.

Editorial commentary

The Trusted Research framework emphasises proportionate, risk-based decision making rather than blanket restrictions. It offers guidance on due diligence for partners, protecting intellectual property, cyber security, and handling sensitive research areas. The framework is sector-supported, voluntary in many respects, and complemented by statutory instruments such as the National Security and Investment Act. It is widely cited internationally as a model for university-led research security guidance.

References

  • UK Trusted Research Guidance (NPSA and UKRI).

Also known as

UK Trusted Research · Trusted Research

Machine-readable encodings

Use in your systems

JATS XML <role> element
xml
<role vocab="credit"
      vocab-identifier="https://casrai.org/dictionary/"
      vocab-term="Trusted research framework (UK)"
      vocab-term-identifier="https://casrai.org/dictionary/term/trusted-research-framework-uk" />
Schema.org DefinedTerm (JSON-LD)
json
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  "@type": "DefinedTerm",
  "name": "Trusted research framework (UK)",
  "identifier": "https://casrai.org/dictionary/term/trusted-research-framework-uk",
  "description": "The United Kingdom guidance and supporting tools developed by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (now NPSA) in collaboration with UKRI and university bodies, providing practical advice to researchers and institutions on managing risks of international research collaboration.",
  "inDefinedTermSet": "https://casrai.org/dictionary/domain/research-security/",
  "url": "https://casrai.org/dictionary/term/trusted-research-framework-uk",
  "sameAs": [
    "UK Trusted Research",
    "Trusted Research"
  ],
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"
}

Adopted by research universities worldwide

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