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Open Recommendations

Research Security: Agencies Should Assess Safeguards Against Discrimination

GAO-26-107544
Jan 22, 2026
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7 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status Sort descending
National Science Foundation The Director of the NSF should ensure that the Office of the Chief of Research Security Strategy and Policy, or the appropriate office within NSF, document an interim risk mitigation process for its TRUST pilot while continuing to develop a final process. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration The Administrator of NASA should ensure that the appropriate office document how its interim process addresses risk assessment criteria, remediation steps, and due process rights for research institutions or individuals as it continues to develop its final research security process. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure that the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, or the appropriate office within DOD, assess the agency's research security processes to determine whether current safeguards provide reasonable assurance that discrimination will not occur and whether any additional safeguards would be practical and beneficial. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Energy The Secretary of Energy should ensure that the Research, Technology, and Economic Security Office, or the appropriate office within DOE, assess the agency's research security processes to determine whether current safeguards provide reasonable assurance that discrimination will not occur and whether any additional safeguards would be practical and beneficial. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration The Administrator of NASA should ensure that the appropriate office assess the agency's research security processes to determine whether current safeguards provide reasonable assurance that discrimination will not occur and whether any additional safeguards would be practical and beneficial. (Recommendation 5)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
National Institutes of Health The Director of NIH should ensure that the Office of Extramural Research, or the appropriate office within NIH, assess the agency's research security processes to determine whether current safeguards provide reasonable assurance that discrimination will not occur and whether any additional safeguards would be practical and beneficial. (Recommendation 6)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps: Additional Actions Needed to Improve Oversight and Prevent Instructor Sexual Misconduct

GAO-26-107524
Jan 20, 2026
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16 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status Sort descending
Department of the Navy The Secretary of the Navy should ensure the Commandant of the Marine Corps, once the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness clarifies guidance on the baseline roles and responsibilities of regional oversight officials, updates the Marine Corps's guidance to ensure that oversight responsibilities align with DOD guidance and that these roles are properly executed. (Recommendation 13)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of the Army The Secretary of the Army should, once the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness clarifies guidance on the baseline roles and responsibilities of regional oversight officials, update the Army's guidance to ensure that oversight responsibilities align with DOD guidance and that these roles are properly executed. (Recommendation 10)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of the Navy The Secretary of the Navy should, once the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness clarifies guidance on the baseline roles and responsibilities of regional oversight officials, update the Navy's guidance to ensure that oversight responsibilities align with DOD guidance and that these roles are properly executed. (Recommendation 11)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of the Air Force The Secretary of the Air Force should, once the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness clarifies guidance on the baseline roles and responsibilities of regional oversight officials, update the Air Force's guidance to ensure that oversight responsibilities align with DOD guidance and that these roles are properly executed. (Recommendation 12)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of the Army The Secretary of the Army should evaluate the Army's JROTC oversight structure and responsibilities to ensure that they are aligned with oversight priorities. As part of the evaluation, the Army may consider the other services' oversight structures and responsibilities. (Recommendation 15)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of the Army The Secretary of the Army should revise its guidance on JROTC unit inspections to ensure that it is inspecting all items required per DOD guidance, including student code of conduct forms and instructor prohibited activities forms. (Recommendation 16)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Coast Guard: Actions Needed to Ensure Complete and Timely Reports to Congress Regarding Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment

GAO-26-108571
Jan 14, 2026
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status Sort descending
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should ensure that annual sexual assault and sexual harassment reports address all required elements, including requirements that have changed since the prior report. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should ensure that annual sexual assault and sexual harassment reports are issued on time. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Coast Guard: Opportunities Exist to Strengthen Reform Efforts to Address Sexual Misconduct

GAO-26-107685
Jan 14, 2026
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3 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status Sort descending
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should establish a two-way communications strategy that involves sharing information about the reform efforts to address sexual misconduct and collecting and responding to feedback from employees regarding the effects of the reform efforts. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should ensure there is an active reform implementation team to manage and sustain its reform efforts to address sexual misconduct. (Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
United States Coast Guard The Commandant of the Coast Guard should develop an implementation plan that identifies key milestones, deliverables, and updated time frames for reform actions addressing sexual misconduct. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

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