South Carolina Research Authority launches the new Center for Research Security, positioning the state as the leading destination for trusted, secure research.
Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Research Authority today announced the launch of the Center for Research Security. This first-of-its-kind statewide initiative positions South Carolina as a national leader in conducting secure, trusted, and responsible research.
As part of this initiative, SCRA has entered the nation’s first statewide research security partnership with Digital Science, deploying their Dimensions Research Security solution across seven South Carolina colleges and universities. Together, this investment establishes a robust, unified framework to protect intellectual property, secure sensitive research and data, ensure compliance with federal mandates, and demonstrate strong stewardship of public and private research funding.
This landmark initiative sends a clear signal to federal and state agencies, defense and intelligence organizations, research-intensive companies, and public–private partners:
South Carolina is the safest and most trusted place in the United States for conducting high-impact research.
A Statewide Advantage for Secure Innovation
In an era of increasing global competition, foreign interference risks, and heightened compliance requirements, South Carolina’s approach goes beyond compliance to create a strategic research advantage. The Center for Research Security establishes consistent, statewide standards for:
- Protection of intellectual property and sensitive research data
- Identification and mitigation of foreign influence and conflicts of interest
- Verification of researcher disclosures and affiliations
- Secure collaboration across academia, government, and industry
- Responsible stewardship of taxpayer-funded research
This coordinated framework aligns with National Security Presidential Memorandum–33 (NSPM-33) and related federal research security requirements, reducing risk while accelerating collaboration and funding opportunities.
By taking a proactive, statewide approach, South Carolina is creating an environment where federal agencies, industry R&D leaders, and national laboratories can confidently expand their research footprint, knowing that projects, people, and data are protected to the highest standards.
Powered by the World’s Most Complete Research Intelligence
The Center for Research Security is enabled by Dimensions Research Security, built on Digital Science’s Dimensions platform—the world’s most comprehensive, interconnected database of global research activity. The platform allows institutions to rapidly assess risk, validate disclosures, and understand complex research networks across publications, grants, patents, clinical trials, and policy documents.
This shared capability allows South Carolina’s research ecosystem to move faster while maintaining rigor, trust, and compliance.
Participating Institutions
The following South Carolina institutions will participate in the statewide initiative:
- University of South Carolina
- Clemson University
- Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
- South Carolina State University
- College of Charleston
- The Citadel
- Coastal Carolina University
Together, these institutions represent a unified research enterprise committed to excellence, security, and national competitiveness.
Leadership Perspectives
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said, “South Carolina is leading by example. This initiative ensures that research conducted in our state meets the highest standards of security, integrity, and accountability. It reinforces our commitment to protecting intellectual property, safeguarding sensitive data, and responsibly stewarding taxpayer dollars—making South Carolina the premier destination for secure research.”
U.S. Senator Tim Scott said, “Strong research security is about protecting America’s future. South Carolina is leading the way by setting clear research standards to protect sensitive information and stop foreign influence from our adversaries. This statewide framework will strengthen national security and position our state as a trusted partner for federal agencies, innovators, and job creators.”
SCRA Interim President and CEO Bill Kirkland said, “The Center for Research Security reflects our commitment to strengthening South Carolina’s innovation economy while protecting the integrity of research conducted across the state. By investing proactively in research security, we are creating a competitive advantage that attracts federal funding, private investment, and world-class partners.”
Digital Science President Stephen Leicht said, “What makes South Carolina’s approach unique is that it treats research security as a statewide competitive advantage. This model moves beyond compliance to reduce risk, accelerate collaboration, and give funders and partners confidence that research conducted here meets the highest standards of trust and integrity. We are proud to partner with the South Carolina Research Authority to help deliver the most trusted research environment in the country.”
A Magnet for Federal, Industry, and Public–Private Research
By establishing the Center for Research Security, South Carolina is not only protecting existing research but also actively inviting more. This initiative is designed to attract:
- Federally funded research programs and national security–related projects
- Defense, intelligence, and dual-use research initiatives
- Corporate R&D and advanced manufacturing investment
- Public–private partnerships requiring secure collaboration environments
South Carolina is setting a new national benchmark for how states can responsibly scale innovation while protecting the interests of researchers, funders, and the public.
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About SCRA
Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, South Carolina Research Authority fuels the state’s innovation economy through the impact of its comprehensive services to technology-based startups, academia, and industry. SCRA provides funding and support to accelerate the growth of academic startups; high-quality lab and administrative workspaces; facilitation and funding for partnerships between and among industry, startups, and academic institutions; assistance and funding for the relocation of technology-based companies to South Carolina; and coaching and funding for startups that may also receive investments from its affiliate, SC Launch Inc.
About Digital Science
Digital Science is an AI-focused technology company providing innovative solutions to complex challenges faced by researchers, universities, funders, industry, and publishers. We work in partnership to advance global research for the benefit of society. Through our brands – Altmetric, Dimensions, Figshare, IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, metaphacts, Overleaf, ReadCube, Symplectic, and Writefull – we believe that when we solve problems together, we drive progress for all. Visit digital-science.com and follow Digital Science on Bluesky, on X, or on LinkedIn.
About Dimensions
Part of Digital Science, Dimensions hosts the largest collection of interconnected global research data, re-imagining research discovery with access to grants, publications, clinical trials, patents, and policy documents all in one place. Follow Dimensions on Bluesky, X, and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts
Adrianne Grimes
SCRA Director of Marketing and Communications
David Ellis
Digital Science Press, PR & Social Manager
