Foreign-Sponsored Research

Overview

Foreign-sponsored research is an important part of Stony Brook University's research enterprise and supports scientific discovery, innovation, education, and international collaboration.

Receiving funding or other research support from an organization outside the United States does not automatically create additional restrictions. However, depending on the sponsoring organization, proposed research activities, and award terms and conditions, foreign-sponsored research may involve research security-related requirements, including sponsor requirements, export controls, research cybersecurity, disclosure obligations, and other institutional reviews.

The Office of Research Security (ORS) assists faculty, staff, and students in identifying research security-related requirements that may apply before proposals are submitted, before foreign support is accepted, and throughout the research activity.

REQUEST AN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH REVIEW

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

CONTACT THE ORS

What Is a Foreign Sponsor?

A foreign sponsor is an organization located outside the United States that provides funding or other support for a University research activity. Support may include research funding, equipment, materials, software, data, access to facilities, or other research resources.

Foreign sponsors may include:

Foreign universities
Foreign government agencies
Foreign companies
State-owned enterprises
Foreign hospitals or research institutes
International organizations
Foreign foundations and nonprofit organizations

Foreign sponsorship does not automatically create additional restrictions; however, some sponsors or research activities may require additional institutional review.

Contact ORS Before You

Contact ORS before you:

Submit a proposal to a foreign sponsor.
Accept research funding or other support from a foreign organization.
Receive equipment, software, materials, data, biological samples, or other research resources from a foreign sponsor.
Enter into a sponsored research agreement or other research arrangement with a foreign organization.
Conduct federally funded research that also involves foreign sponsorship or support.
Collaborate with a foreign government agency, military or defense organization, or state-owned enterprise.
Receive funding or other support from a sponsor located in a Country of Concern.
Are uncertain whether research security, export control, sponsor, disclosure, cybersecurity, or other institutional requirements apply.

Key Considerations

Foreign-sponsored research agreements may establish requirements governing the protection, storage, access, use, or sharing of research information.

Researchers should consider whether the project involves:

Sponsor-provided proprietary or confidential information.
Specific cybersecurity or information protection requirements.
Restrictions on access to research information or systems.
Requirements governing international access to or sharing of research information.
Secure research computing or other project-specific safeguards.

ORS coordinates with the appropriate University offices when project-specific information protection or cybersecurity requirements apply.

Foreign-sponsored research may require additional review depending on the sponsoring organization, proposed research activities, funding source, participating organizations, and applicable federal or institutional requirements.

Researchers should consider:

The identity and nature of the sponsoring organization.
Whether the sponsor is a foreign government agency, state-owned enterprise, military organization, or other organization requiring additional review.
Whether the sponsor or collaborating organization requires Restricted Entity Screening or other institutional due diligence.
Whether the research involves a Country of Concern.
Whether federally sponsored research security requirements apply.

ORS conducts due diligence and coordinates institutional review, as appropriate, to identify applicable research security-related requirements.

Foreign sponsorship does not automatically create export control requirements. However, export controls may apply depending on the research activities, equipment, software, technology, technical information, materials, recipients, and destinations involved.

Researchers should consider whether:

Export-controlled equipment, software, technology, technical information, or materials will be used or transferred.
Research information or technology will be shared internationally.
Equipment or materials will be shipped or hand-carried outside the United States.
The sponsor or other participating organizations are subject to U.S. Government restrictions.
Activities involve sanctioned or embargoed countries.

ORS can determine whether export control requirements apply to the proposed research.

Foreign sponsors may establish contractual or other requirements affecting how University research is conducted.

Researchers should consider whether proposed terms address:

Publication or dissemination of research results.
Confidentiality or proprietary information.
Intellectual property.
Access to research information, equipment, or facilities.
Research personnel or participation.
Information protection or cybersecurity.
International transfers or data sharing.
Other restrictions affecting the conduct of University research.

ORS works with the appropriate University offices to identify research security-related considerations associated with proposed foreign-sponsored research arrangements.

Related Guidance

Related Guidance	Description
International Collaborations	Guidance for planning, establishing, conducting, and managing research collaborations with international researchers, institutions, companies, and organizations.
Sharing Research Information	Guidance for sharing research information, data, software, technology, technical information, presentations, publications, or other research outputs with collaborators, sponsors, companies, government agencies, or other third parties.
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.
Disclosure & Transparency Reference Guides	Learn about Current & Pending (Other) Support, Foreign Components, foreign talent recruitment programs, conflicts of interest, organizational conflicts of interest, and other sponsor disclosure and transparency requirements.
Export Control Classification	Learn how equipment, materials, software, technology, and technical information are classified under U.S. export control regulations.
Critical & Emerging Technologies	Learn about federally identified critical and emerging technology areas and how they may relate to research security considerations and international research activities.
Fundamental Research	Learn when research qualifies for the Fundamental Research Exclusion and how sponsor restrictions may affect its applicability.
Foreign Military and Defense Organizations	Guidance for planning, conducting, or supporting research involving foreign military organizations, military universities, defense research institutes, or other organizations affiliated with a foreign military.
Countries of Concern	Countries that may require additional review because of federal sponsor, research security, export control, or institutional requirements.
Sanctioned & Embargoed Countries	Guidance for understanding U.S. sanctions programs and conducting research activities involving sanctioned destinations.
Restricted Entity Screening	Learn how organizations and individuals are screened against U.S. government restricted party and entity lists before certain research activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does receiving funding from a foreign sponsor automatically require ORS review?

Not necessarily. Most foreign-sponsored research proceeds without significant restrictions. However, some projects require additional review based on the sponsoring organization, proposed research activities, sponsor requirements, or other research security-related considerations.

Will ORS review or screen my foreign sponsor?

When appropriate, ORS performs due diligence and Restricted Entity Screening to identify organizations that may require additional institutional review or are subject to U.S. Government restrictions.

Can foreign-sponsored research qualify as Fundamental Research?

Yes. Research sponsored by a foreign organization may qualify as Fundamental Research. However, publication restrictions, access or participation restrictions, confidentiality requirements, or other contractual terms may affect the Fundamental Research analysis. ORS can assist in determining whether proposed research meets the applicable requirements.

ORS works with the appropriate University offices to identify research security-related considerations associated with proposed agreements.

Can I receive funding from a foreign government agency or state-owned enterprise?

Possibly. Research involving foreign government agencies, state-owned enterprises, or military organizations may require additional institutional review before research begins. ORS can assist in identifying applicable research security-related requirements.

Do all foreign-sponsored research projects require a written agreement?

Many foreign-sponsored research projects involve formal agreements between Stony Brook University and the sponsoring organization. Depending on the proposed activity, agreements may address funding, research activities, publication rights, intellectual property, confidentiality, information sharing, or other project responsibilities. ORS works with the appropriate University offices to identify research security-related considerations associated with proposed agreements.

Need Assistance?

If you are considering submitting a proposal to a foreign sponsor or accepting foreign research funding, resources, or other support, contact the Office of Research Security before proposal submission or acceptance of the support.

Early consultation helps identify research security-related requirements associated with foreign-sponsored research while supporting productive international research and collaboration.