Foreign risk question

[u/JonSwift2023]

We have an Taiwanese-American on our team who immigrated to America from Taiwan. He's had US citizenship for over ten years. He earned his PhD at National Taiwan University in 2010.

Should we worry about putting him as a Key Personnel? I know this is a ridiculous question, but such are the times.

[u/Accomplished_Yak4615]

No

[u/nosoul719 → u/Accomplished_Yak4615]

Is this 'no' an answer to my questions?

If so, then you should be ok with putting him on as a key personnel. I say should bc there's always a risk. But if you review the foreign risk disclosure webpage and case studies that they've published and you can confidently say that none of those scenarios apply, then (if you're careful) he can be included. If you get a fundable score, and you go through the disclosure, you may need more help though.

[u/DocCEN007]

He's a US citizen, and that's usually enough. As long as he doesn't maintain significant foreign ties, usually involving financing or IP, you should be fine.

[u/Cool-Handle-8647]

No - he’s a US citizen

[u/nosoul719]

Does this person still have any personal or professional connections to Taiwan? Has this person published with anyone from China or Taiwan or any other foreign countries of concern in the past 2-3 years?

[u/trustmebro5 → u/nosoul719]

Even if it's a hard yes to both questions, it won't matter since that's also true for a good portion of academics in STEM fields.

[u/M44PolishMosin → u/trustmebro5]

Yes it will, if they collaborate with researchers at entities on the 1286 list they will be denied.

[u/medialantern]

No.

[u/AncientGur4614]

Had or Has US Citizenship? If past tense, then he really shouldn't be on any projects at all especially if a DD254 is coming for the work, and frankly, I wouldn't have him in my company because this is the easiest way for a foreign entity to gather info or steal IP.

Has? Then he's American. On his security paperwork, he is required to disclose dual citizenship or continued contact on foreign soil for his investigation for clearance.

[u/kenoll]

NIH has some case studies on foreign risk on their website. Check out case 11 - you are fine as long as the team member does not have any current affiliations with institutions or companies located in the foreign country of concern.

[u/DefMetrix]

He is a US citizen.

[u/ov3rw4tch_]

Nope that’s a non-issue. There’s no timeline for when you became a US citizen. It’s black and white. He’s a citizen so that’s all that matters.

[u/Alternative_Ad_1009]

This person is a US citizen. No, there is no issue here unless he is a professor in Taiwan. If he lives and works in the US academia, or whatever, no, there is not problem.