Knowledge Security

What is Knowledge Security?

Knowledge security primarily concerns the undesirable transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. Such a transfer is undesirable if it affects our country’s national security. Knowledge security also concerns covert attempts by state actors to influence education and research. Such interference endangers academic freedom and social security. And lastly, it concerns ethical issues that may arise when cooperating with countries that do not respect fundamental rights (National Knowledge Security Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science). More about Knowledge Security at the University of Groningen here.

Knowledge Security Assessment for PhD candidates

All PhD supervisors of prospective externally funded PhD students (i.e., receiving funding from a non-EU source) are required to complete a "knowledge security assessment" in line with requirements from the Dutch government. More information can be found on this GSMS intranet page.

Please note the following:

  1. Obligation: The assessment conducted by the UMCG supervisor is mandatory.
  2. Confidentiality: The assessment is primarily a confidential process designed to raise awareness of knowledge security issues and to clarify the responsibilities of supervising staff.
  3. Consultation Requirement: If the outcome of this assessment indicates a need for further consultation, the supervisor must reach out to the University of Groningen’s “Advisory Team Knowledge Security”. UMCG supervisors are required to inform the GSMS about the results of the consultation process.
  4. Failure to comply with these requirements may lead to the GSMS refusing to issue a Letter of Acceptance in support of the student’s scholarship application. In extreme cases, this could result in the rejection of the PhD candidate’s admission to the GSMS PhD program. The Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences has authorized the Director of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences to enforce these measures.

More information, including the self-assessment form, is available on the UG intranet.