Guidance On Scientific and Technological Cooperation with the Russian Federation for U.S. Government and U.S. Government Affiliated Organizations

The United States is committed to international scientific cooperation that flows from the mutual recognition of shared values, including scientific freedom, openness, transparency, honesty, equity, fair competition, objectivity, and democratic principles. The Kremlin’s unlawful and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine is an affront to the principles we seek to affirm and our efforts to advance international science, technology, and innovation for development. We remain concerned that the Kremlin continues to leverage state-controlled institutions to aid in its disinformation campaign against Ukraine. In response to Putin’s aggression, the U.S. government has taken active measures to limit bilateral science and technology research cooperation with the Russian government.

Consistent with U.S. domestic and international law, we will wind down institutional, administrative, funding, and personnel relationships and research collaborations in the fields of science and technology with Russian government-affiliated research institutions and individuals who continue to be employed by or work under the direction of those institutions.

Such projects and programs that commenced and/or were funded prior to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 may be concluded, but new projects in affected subject areas will not be initiated. Applicable Departments and Agencies have been advised to curtail interaction with the leadership of Russian government-affiliated universities and research institutions, as well as those who have publicly expressed support for the invasion of Ukraine.

U.S. Government-affiliated organizations, such as Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and other similar institutions with grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements doing work with the Russian Federation should contact their supporting agency for further guidance.

Non-government institutions should make their own determinations regarding how to proceed with contact and collaboration between the United States and Russian scientific communities, in furtherance of an open exchange of ideas within the international science and technology community.

The United States recognizes that many Russians – inside and outside of Russia – are opposed to Putin’s war of choice in Ukraine. While some – including in the scientific community – have bravely stood up in defiance, the Russian government’s measures to restrict freedom of expression have made it far more difficult for Russians to express their opposition to this unjust war without fear of retribution.

We will continue to denounce all perpetrators of xenophobia and seek to ensure that Russian scientists who have chosen to leave Russia and/or remain in the United States due to their convictions are supported and not discriminated against or stigmatized. We encourage the broader U.S. and international community to do the same.

In coordination with our allies and partners, we will uphold our commitments to ensuring the sustainment of international scientific and technical fora, infrastructure, and venues dedicated to fostering peaceful international collaboration. Nevertheless, until Russia ends its war against Ukraine, the United States government will seek to limit engagement with the Russian government in various international projects and initiatives related to science and technology, except where required by our obligations under international law.

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