October 21, 2026

Dear AU Research Community,

 

Researchers across the university are receiving unsolicited emails inviting them to apply for foreign talent recruitment programs.  These messages often come from recruiting companies rather than universities, they use program names that change from year to year, and they offer salaries, "talent rewards," housing, and prestigious titles, often with part-time arrangements that let you keep your current position.

 

Under the CHIPS and Science Act, PIs, co-PIs, and senior/key personnel on federal awards may not participate in a malign foreign talent recruitment program, a category that includes many programs sponsored by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.  NSF, NIH, DoD, and other sponsors require you to certify that you are not in one and to disclose participation in any foreign talent program.  Participation can make you ineligible for federal funding and put current awards at risk.

What should you look out for?

If you receive emails like the ones described above:

International collaboration is vital to our research, and Augusta University continues to encourage conferences, co-authorship, and open scientific exchange with colleagues around the world. This notice is limited to the specific risks of foreign talent recruitment programs. 

If there are any questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Research Integrity and Security at research_security@augusta.edu.

Office of EVP Research & Innovation

evpri@augusta.edu

This email was sent to Augusta University faculty, staff and students with research effort.

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