On May 6, 2025, a new federal policy for oversight of dual use research of concern (DURC) and certain other research with pathogens goes into effect.  This policy applies to all federally funded research; however, similar oversight processes will be followed for projects meeting the DURC/PEPP Criteria regardless of funding source.

The United States Government Policy for Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (USG DURC/PEPP Policy) is a unified framework for conducting and managing certain types of life sciences research on biological agents and toxins, that when enhanced, have the potential to pose risks to public health, agriculture, food security, economic security, or national security.  This policy supersedes previous DURC policies and the 2017 Enhanced Potential Pandemic Pathogens Framework.  The USG DURC/PEPP Policy complements other existing federal regulations, including the Select Agent Regulations.

USG DURC/PEPP Policy Statement

It is the policy of the US Government that federally funded intramural or extramural research that meets the scope of Category 1 or Category 2 research within this policy is subject to federal and institutional oversight. The purpose of this oversight is to preserve the benefits of such research while minimizing the biosafety and biosecurity risks, including risks that the knowledge, information, products, or technologies generated by the research could be used in a manner that results in harm to public health and safety, agricultural crops and other plants, animals, the environment, materiel, or national security.