Export Controls Information
Deliverables to foreign sponsors or transfer of export-controlled material or information outside of the U.S.
Where equipment developed in the course of research (i.e., a prototype) or related technical data is be sent off campus to a foreign sponsor, it must be reviewed to determine whether an export license is necessary.
As a license will generally require a minimum of 6-8 weeks to acquire, a researcher should also consider whether purchasing the controlled equipment abroad is possible or alternatively whether the equipment can be shipped directly from the company to the foreign research site, as it is the party exporting the equipment who is required to secure the export license. However, even if the equipment is exported by another party, the researcher should also be careful not to export "technical assistance" or "defense services" in the form of controlled information about the equipment such as technical specifications or instructions on how to use the equipment. Under certain circumstances, providing this information may also require a license and ORPA should be contacted before doing so to evaluate whether a license is required.
EXAMPLES
A researcher receives controlled materials from a foreign sponsor and then is required to return the controlled materials, either in their original form or as modified during research. No license is required to receive the materials as it is an import, not a export. However, an export license may be required and this must be evaluated by ORPA before they are returned.
A robotic submarine is developed on campus. A U.S. military agency wants to use it for research performed in the Mediterranean Sea. If the research institution is the party who will ship the equipment abroad, it will be required to secure any export license needed.