Export Controls Primer for Researchers
Export controls are federal laws that regulate the distribution of controlled devices, software, and information when such items are designated as “defense articles” or “dual use” commodities. Although these regulations normally do not affect research activities, they can apply in to following situations:
The nature of the technology in the research has actual or potential military applications,
Foreign countries, organization(s), or individual(s) involved in the research are prohibited by law,
The government regulates the potential end-use or the end-user of the technology resulting from the research.
How Export Controls Can Affect Research
Main impacts of export controls on Sponsored and Un-Sponsored research
Sponsors can restrict foreign nationals (students, post docs and visiting scholars) from accessing or participating in on-campus research,
Sponsors can require implementation of security measures to handle export controlled items and technical data associated with research,
Sponsors can restrict the dissemination or publication of research results (i.e. via Distribution Statements on Technical Documents),
U.S. export control laws can limit shipments, exchanges of information, travel and financial transactions to certain countries and nationals of those countries.
General Areas of Concerns Where Export Controls Could Apply to Research
Technology subject to export control regulations?
Research involving technologies specified in the International Traffic in-Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) may be export controlled unless they qualify for an exclusion,
Technologies involving controlled pathogens, toxins, bacteria, fungi, select agents, or chemicals have different qualifications for exclusions.
Physical Exports?
A license may be required if the research involves the international shipping of export controlled equipment or data.
Deemed Exports?
If export controlled data or material will be transferred to foreign persons inside the US, the research must first qualify for a “fundamental research”, “public domain”, or “educational” exclusion,
Deemed exports may also limit research collaborations or field work with foreign nationals.
Foreign Travel?
International travel with export controlled equipment or data may require a license or a “tool of trade” exception,
Provisioning financial support or services overseas in a sanctioned/embargoed country or foreign nationals of those countries is highly regulated.
Travel to sanctioned/embargoed countries may require a license and limit the hand-carrying of certain technologies,
Defense Research?
Unfunded research related to nuclear, chemical, biological, weaponry, missiles, unmanned vehicles, or strong encryption technologies is subject to the ITAR,
Restrictive clauses in defense research contracts can limit publication, foreign national access or participation,
Contract and grants funded by the Department of Defense or NASA can be subject to the ITAR,
Research involving the use of defense articles on the ITAR U.S. Munitions List (USML) or associated technical data does not qualify for an exclusion, and may require implementation of research security measures.
Exclusions to Export Controls
Three sheltering exclusions exempt most university research from export control regulations:
Certain qualifying criteria must be met for exclusion(s) to apply. If exclusion criteria are not met, ITAR or EAR technology, articles, software, or technical data may be subject to export controls.
Avoiding restrictions on access and dissemination of research findings in contracts with the U.S. Government and industry is a key strategy for minimizing export control issues in university and research laboratory settings.
Process for Determining if Export Controls Apply to Research
Sponsored Programs reviews proposals and award
Determine if research qualifies for the “fundamental research exclusion,” or
Screen for restricted parties,
Inform the PI and the Office of Export Compliance of projects with export control restrictions, or that are suspect and require further determination.
If the research is otherwise subject to export controls,
Negotiate restrictive or troublesome clauses with the Sponsor to ensure research qualifies as fundamental research.
PI’s assist Sponsored Programs and the Office of Export Compliance:
Assist Sponsored Programs to determine if the technology involved in their research is specified in the ITAR U.S. Munitions List (USML) or the EAR Commerce Control List (CCL) when requested,
Notify the Office of Export Compliance when new staff are added (students, post docs, visiting scholars) or there is a change in scope of an export controlled project,
Assist the Office of Export Compliance to develop Technology Control Plans (TCP) and implement research security measures if required,
Ensure foreign nationals are excluded from access to export controlled technology or data until the availability of an exclusion has been determined, or an export license has been obtained.
The Office of Export Compliance jointly works with Sponsored Programs and PI’s:
Disseminates compliance requirements for identified export controlled projects (e.g. notices, licenses, security measures, or participation restrictions),
Prepares license applications and Technology Control Plans (TCP).
Makes recommendations and provides alternative plans to Sponsored Programs for performing export controlled research with as minimal an impact as permissible,
Assistance
Interpreting export regulations can be particularly complex because they require balancing national security with traditional concepts of unrestricted academic freedom. Contact UCF’s Export Control Officer for compliance assistance.