Compliance Statements
Digital Twin Research, Innovation & Collaboration Hub (DT-RICH)
NSF Industry–University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC)
The Digital Twin Research, Innovation & Collaboration Hub (DT-RICH) is committed to conducting research, education, and industry collaboration in full compliance with federal regulations, NSF program policies, and the institutional requirements of the universities that constitute the Center. The following statements outline the Center’s compliance commitments.
1. NSF Program Compliance
The Center operates under the guidelines, expectations, and reporting requirements of the National Science Foundation Industry–University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) Program.
DT-RICH adheres to NSF requirements for:
financial management and cost-sharing
project selection and review
membership structure and agreements
annual evaluation and reporting
conflict of interest review
equitable access to research outcomes
NSF representatives may serve in an ex-officio, non-voting advisory capacity during Center governance meetings.
2. Institutional Research Compliance
As a multi-institution Center hosted by George Mason University, Virginia Tech, and Harvard University, DT-RICH follows all relevant institutional policies, including:
research integrity and ethical conduct
faculty and student participation guidelines
export control and international collaboration policies
environmental health and safety requirements
responsible data stewardship and cybersecurity policies
All Center personnel, including students, are expected to comply with each institution’s training requirements.
3. Human Subjects, Data Privacy, and Security Compliance
DT-RICH conducts research that may involve geospatial, medical, environmental, mobility, or sensor data. Accordingly, the Center complies with:
Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) when applicable
FERPA protections for student data
university data governance and cybersecurity standards
data-use agreements (DUAs) and restricted-access protocols
The Center ensures that all data are de-identified, protected, and used strictly for approved research purposes.
4. Intellectual Property Compliance
DT-RICH adheres to:
the Bayh–Dole Act (35 U.S.C. §§ 200–212)
NSF IUCRC intellectual property guidelines
technology transfer and licensing policies of participating universities
Intellectual property generated by Center projects is:
owned by the institution(s) whose personnel invented it
made available to Center members under the standardized IUCRC IP model
licensed according to non-exclusive or exclusive licensing procedures
All disclosures, inventions, and licensing negotiations are handled in accordance with university technology transfer offices.
5. Publication and Dissemination Compliance
The Center supports open scientific dissemination while protecting sensitive information.
All publications follow:
university publication policies
NSF acknowledgment requirements
30-day review period for members to comment or request patent filing holds
required embargo periods if needed for IP protection
DT-RICH ensures transparency in reporting while safeguarding proprietary and confidential information.
6. Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
DT-RICH complies with all federal and institutional non-discrimination policies. No participant, researcher, or partner shall be discriminated against based on:
race, color, national origin
religion or creed
age, disability, or medical condition
sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation
veteran status or marital status
The Center actively promotes inclusion of students from diverse backgrounds, including K-12, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers.
7. Conflict of Interest (COI) Compliance
All Center personnel and member organizations must disclose:
financial conflicts
personal or professional relationships
external commitments
intellectual property interests
COI disclosures follow NSF requirements and university-specific COI procedures. Conflicts are reviewed and managed to maintain fairness in project selection and research integrity.
8. Financial Accountability and Transparency
Membership fees and project funds are managed through university financial systems under NSF oversight.
The Center ensures:
responsible stewardship of funds
transparent accounting
compliance with federal audit requirements
allocation of at least 90% of membership fees directly to research activities (aligned with NSF IUCRC expectations)
Financial summaries are reported annually to the Industry Advisory Board (IAB) and NSF.
9. Export Control Compliance
Some digital twin research areas (e.g., satellite operations, space traffic, infrastructure security) may fall under export control regulations.
DT-RICH complies with:
ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations)
EAR (Export Administration Regulations)
institutional export control review processes
No controlled technologies or data shall be shared without proper authorization.
10. Ethical Use of Digital Twins & Responsible AI
Given the emerging nature of digital twin technology, the Center adopts responsible research practices, including:
transparency in modeling assumptions
documentation of uncertainty and model limitations
avoidance of harmful or biased use of AI and simulation outputs
alignment with emerging national and international digital twin standards
DT-RICH commits to producing models and tools that reinforce public benefit, trust, and safety.