Chad Gaffield, CEO of the U-15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, has called for increased domestic research funding to reduce dependency on US grants that have been cut under the Trump administration, which he views as an authoritarian move undermining academic independence and national sovereignty.

U15, an association of major Canadian research universities, expressed concerns about Bill C-70 and its related FITAA provisions. They requested clarification on whether the bill's definition of 'arrangement' would include international research partnerships, warning that the 14-day reporting requirement could lead to a chilling effect on vital global research collaborations.

The U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities submitted a written brief to a House of Commons committee, warning that the proposed foreign influence transparency registry may impose unrealistic reporting requirements that could chill international research partnerships and compromise academic freedom.

The U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities submitted a written brief expressing concerns that the proposed foreign influence transparency registry could have a chilling effect on international research collaborations and infringe on academic freedom by imposing impractical reporting requirements.

On June 22, 2023, U15 Canada issued guidance for universities and researchers outlining leading practices to safeguard research from security threats. The initiative emphasizes collaboration with government security officials and the development of the 'Secure Scholar' digital tool to ensure research remains both open and secure.

On June 22, 2023, U15 Canada released detailed guidance outlining best practices for universities and researchers to safeguard research from security threats. The guidance includes collaboration with government and security officials and mentions the development of a 'Secure Scholar' digital tool to ensure open, secure research.

U15, representing Canada’s leading research universities, has been at the forefront of establishing a national security framework around Canadian research. By helping to create the Government-Universities Working Group on Research Security, U15 has guided the development of protocols that protect sensitive research from foreign exploitation and uphold academic freedom, particularly against authoritarian influences.