On 7 September 2026, Ireland’s Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science published the country’s first Research Security Guidelines. The guidelines were created with input from Research Funders and Research Performing Organisations (including universities) and provide an overarching framework inclusive of information on research security and related risks, and guidance on building systems of compliance per stakeholder. 

After introducing Ireland’s rationale for creating the respective guidelines, the document outlines their core principles on research security and delineates stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities (Research Performing Organisations, research funders, and the government). The guidelines continue by proposing implementation approaches per stakeholder for three phases (preparation, integration, monitoring, and evaluation) and conclude by situating the guidelines in the current EU and global context. 

The guidelines respond to the May 2024 Council Recommendation on Enhancing Research Security (see ACA Newsletter – Education Europe, May 2024) which call for member states to develop national approaches. 

Related, on 9 July 2026, the Netherlands published revised guidelines on Knowledge Security from the 2022 iteration. The updated version features changes to the definition of knowledge security, more details describing core academic values and related tensions, and indicators on assessing threats in international collaboration. The updated guidelines also include more information on high-risk collaborations and due diligence.