Export Controls
U.S. export control laws regulate the transfer, release, shipment, transmission, and, in some circumstances, the use of certain equipment, materials, software, technology, technical information, and services involving foreign persons, organizations, or destinations.
The Office of Research Security (ORS) administers the University's Export Control Compliance Program, helping faculty, staff, and students identify export control, research security, sponsor, institutional, and other requirements that may apply to research and other University activities.
Export controls may apply to research, teaching, professional activities, international collaborations, foreign national access, international travel, international shipments, purchasing, and many other University activities. ORS provides guidance and reviews throughout the research lifecycle to support compliant research and responsible international engagement.
REQUEST AN EXPORT CONTROL REVIEW | Contact ORS | BROWSE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES & GUIDANCE
How ORS Can Help
Determine Requirements
- Export control reviews
- Export control classifications
- Export license and authorization reviews
- Restricted Entity Screening
Compliance Support
- Technology Control Plans
- Foreign national access reviews
- International shipment reviews
- International travel consultations
- Research agreement consultations
Guidance & Training
- Faculty consultations
- Activity-based guidance
- Training and outreach
- Coordination with Sponsored Programs, Procurement, Information Security, Environmental Health & Safety, University Counsel, and other University offices
University Export Control Compliance Program & Policy
The University Export Control Policy applies to faculty, staff, students, and other members of the University community engaged in research, educational, service, or other University activities that may be subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations.
The Office of Research Security administers the University's Export Control Compliance Program and assists the campus community with export control reviews, required authorizations, international shipments, foreign national access, international collaborations, sanctioned countries, restricted entities, and other activities subject to export control requirements.
Learn more about the University's Export Control Compliance Program and institutional responsibilities:
Export Controls Compliance Manual (Jan. 2026)
Export Control Training & Education
The Office of Research Security (ORS) provides export control training and educational resources to help faculty, staff, students, and other members of the University community understand U.S. export control requirements and recognize activities that may require additional review or authorization.
Export control training may be required for individuals participating in certain export-controlled projects or activities, including when required as part of a Technology Control Plan (TCP), export authorization, or other export control compliance measure.
Training is also available to members of the University community who would like to learn more about export control requirements and their application to University research and other activities.
Export Control Training in CITI
Export Control Training in CITI provides an overview of U.S. export control regulations and how they apply to research and other University activities. The training covers fundamental export control concepts, including controlled items, software and technology, foreign person access, international transfers, restricted parties, and activities that may require export authorization or additional review.
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
Export Control Webinars
ORS offers webinars and recorded presentations addressing export control requirements and their application to University research and other activities.
Topics may include:
- export control fundamentals;
- international research and collaborations;
- international shipments and transfers;
- foreign person access to controlled technology or technical information;
- international travel;
- restricted entities, sanctions, and embargoes; and
- other emerging export control topics.
View Export Control Webinar Recordings
Request an Export Control Training Session
ORS provides customized export control training, presentations, and discussion sessions for departments, research groups, administrators, and other members of the University community.
Training can be tailored to a group's activities and may address general export control awareness or specific topics relevant to research, international activities, technology, equipment, information, or other University activities.
Request an ORS Training Session
Export Controls and University Research
Most research conducted at Stony Brook University is intended to qualify as fundamental research, meaning that the results of the research are ordinarily published and shared broadly within the scientific community. As a result, information resulting from qualifying fundamental research is generally excluded from certain export control requirements.
Even when research qualifies as fundamental research, export control regulations may still apply to many research activities before, during, and after a project, including:
- International collaborations
- Foreign national access to controlled equipment, software, technology, or technical information
- International shipments, hand-carry, and electronic transmissions
- International travel with research equipment, software, or research data
- Sponsor-provided controlled technology or technical data
- Export-controlled equipment or software
- Activities involving sanctioned countries or restricted entities
- Research agreements containing publication, foreign national participation, or information security restrictions
Researchers should not assume that an activity is exempt from export control requirements simply because it is conducted at a university or qualifies as fundamental research.
Research Restrictions
State University of New York (SUNY) policy generally prohibits the University from accepting sponsored research agreements that:
- Restrict the publication or dissemination of research results; or
- Restrict participation in research based on nationality or citizenship.
Any proposed exception requires institutional review coordinated through the Office of Research Security.
Research Activities & Guidance
ORS has developed activity-based guidance to help faculty, staff, and students identify export control, research security, sponsor, institutional, and other requirements that may apply to common University activities.
Researchers planning a specific activity should begin with the guidance below. Each activity guide explains common considerations, identifies when to contact ORS, and links to related reference guides for additional information.
BROWSE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES & GUIDANCE
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| International Collaborations | Guidance for planning, establishing, conducting, and managing research collaborations with international researchers, institutions, companies, and organizations. |
| International Visitors | Guidance for planning, hosting, and supporting international faculty, researchers, students, visiting scholars, and other research visitors. |
| Foreign Person Participating in Research | Guidance for employing foreign national faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, and students participating in research activities. |
| International Transfers (Shipments, Hand-Carry & Electronic Transmissions) | Guidance for shipping, mailing, hand-carrying, or electronically transferring research equipment, materials, software, technology, technical information, or research information internationally. |
| International Travel | Guidance for international travel involving research, teaching, field work, conferences, or other University activities. |
| Purchase of Research Equipment, Materials, Software & Technology | Guidance for purchasing research equipment, materials, software, technology, chemicals, biologics, and other items that may require research security or export control review. |
| Drones (UAS/UAV) in Research | Guidance for purchasing, operating, transporting, and using unmanned aircraft systems (drones) in research. |
| Software & Encryption | Guidance for developing, acquiring, using, sharing, storing, or transferring software, encryption, and related technologies. |
| Government Information | Guidance for receiving, accessing, using, storing, sharing, and protecting government information, including CUI, FCI, Government-Furnished Information (GFI), and other government-controlled information. |
Export Control Reference Guides
ORS maintains reference guides to help faculty, staff, and students understand U.S. export control regulations, key regulatory concepts, and specialized compliance requirements that may apply to research and other University activities.
These guides provide additional background information and should be used in conjunction with the activity-based guidance above.
BROWSE EXPORT CONTROL REFERENCE GUIDES
Regulatory Framework
Learn about the federal laws and regulations that govern exports and other controlled activities.
| Reference Guide | Description |
|---|---|
| Federal Export Control Regulations Overview | Learn about the federal agencies, authorities, and regulatory framework governing U.S. export controls. |
| Export Administration Regulations (EAR) | Learn about the regulations governing commercial, dual-use, and less-sensitive military items, software, technology, and technical information. |
| International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) | Learn about the regulations governing defense articles, defense services, and technical data. |
| Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Regulations | Learn about U.S. economic sanctions, embargoes, and restrictions affecting countries, organizations, individuals, and certain transactions. |
| Nuclear Export Controls | Learn about regulations governing certain nuclear materials, equipment, technology, technical assistance, and related activities. |
Export Control Concepts
Learn about the regulatory concepts commonly encountered in research, teaching, service, and other University activities.
| Reference Guide | Description |
|---|---|
| Export Control Classification | Learn how equipment, materials, software, technology, and technical information are classified under U.S. export control regulations. |
| Deemed Exports | Learn when providing controlled technology or source code to a foreign person within the United States may constitute an export. |
| Fundamental Research | Learn when research qualifies for the Fundamental Research Exclusion and how sponsor restrictions may affect its applicability. |
| Publicly Available Information | Learn when publicly available, published, and public domain information is generally excluded from export control requirements. |
| Export Control Terms & Definitions | Learn commonly used export control terminology and regulatory definitions. |
Specialized Guidance
Learn about additional regulatory and institutional requirements that may apply to certain research activities.
| Reference Guide | Description |
|---|---|
| Technology Control Plans | Learn when Technology Control Plans (TCPs) may be used to protect export-controlled technology, technical information, equipment, and research activities. |
| Military Critical Technical Data Agreement (DD Form 2345) | Learn about the Joint Certification Program (JCP), DD Form 2345, and requirements that may apply when accessing certain unclassified export-controlled military critical technical data. |
| Restricted Entity Screening | Learn how organizations and individuals are screened against U.S. government restricted party and entity lists before certain University activities. |
| Countries of Concern | Learn about countries that may require additional review because of export control regulations, federal research security requirements, sponsor expectations, or institutional policy. |
| Anti-Boycott Regulations | Learn about U.S. anti-boycott laws and reporting requirements that may apply to contracts, purchasing, shipping, and other international activities. |
| Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) | Learn how the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act may apply to international research, collaborations, travel, overseas activities, and interactions with foreign government officials. |
Government Resources
Researchers seeking additional background information may find the following federal resources helpful.
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Don't Let This Happen to You | Actual investigations of export control and antiboycott violations published by the Bureau of Industry and Security. |
| Protecting Critical and Emerging U.S. Technologies from Foreign Threats | Federal guidance describing technologies of strategic importance and associated risks. |
| Shield America | Department of Homeland Security guidance on protecting sensitive technologies and preventing unauthorized transfers. |
Need Assistance?
Contact the Office of Research Security when you are uncertain whether export control requirements apply to research, international activities, foreign national access, equipment, software, technology, technical information, or other University activities.
Request an Export Control Review
Report Export Compliance Concerns
If you believe an export control violation or other research security concern may have occurred, report it promptly through one of the following channels.
- EthicsPoint: Reports may be submitted via SBU's secure third-party confidential reporting system by web and mobile devices or telephone (see information provided below). Select the "Export Control/Research Security Concern" type. Reports may be submitted anonymously. Mobile & Web Report is available or you may report by phone at (833) 223-7024
OR
- You may e-mail or call (631-632-1954) the Director of Research Security.