Student-Led & Independent Research
Overview
Students participate in independent research, student-led projects, design and competition teams, capstone projects, entrepreneurial activities, and other scholarly and technical activities across the University.
Most student-led and independent research activities do not require review by the Office of Research Security (ORS). However, research security, export control, information protection, sponsor, or other requirements may apply depending on the technology or information involved, the source of funding or support, participating organizations, and how research resources are accessed or shared.
Students and faculty advisors should contact ORS when they are unsure whether these requirements apply to a proposed activity.
When Research Security Requirements May Apply
Additional guidance or review may be appropriate when a student-led or independent project involves:
- Controlled technologies or technical information — equipment, software, materials, technology, technical data, or source code that may be subject to U.S. export controls or other restrictions;
- Restricted research information — government, proprietary, confidential, export-controlled, or other information subject to access, use, sharing, or security requirements;
- External funding or support — funding, equipment, software, materials, data, technical assistance, or other support provided by a company, government agency, foundation, foreign organization, or other outside entity;
- Sponsor or agreement requirements — requirements established through a sponsored project, agreement, competition, challenge, or other arrangement that may restrict access, participation, publication, or sharing;
- International collaborations or participation — research or technical activities involving individuals, universities, companies, governments, or other organizations outside the United States;
- International transfers — sending, carrying, transmitting, or otherwise providing equipment, software, materials, technology, or technical information outside the United States;
- Restricted entities or destinations — activities involving individuals or organizations subject to U.S. government restrictions or sanctioned or embargoed countries; or
- Critical and Emerging Technologies — particularly when an advanced technology project also involves international participation, external support, restricted information, or other research security considerations.
The presence of one of these circumstances does not necessarily mean that an activity is restricted or cannot proceed. ORS can help identify applicable requirements and determine whether additional review or coordination is appropriate.
Student Projects, Teams & Competitions
Design and competition teams, capstone projects, entrepreneurial activities, and other student-led projects may receive funding, equipment, software, technical information, materials, data, or technical assistance from companies and other outside organizations.
Students and faculty advisors should seek guidance before accepting restricted information or technology, agreeing to access or participation restrictions, or sharing nonpublic project information or technology with an outside organization.
Additional review may be appropriate when an outside organization:
- requires project information to remain confidential or limits publication or sharing;
- provides controlled or restricted technical information, software, equipment, or materials;
- establishes citizenship, U.S. person, nationality, or other eligibility requirements for access or participation;
- requests access to nonpublic University research or technical information;
- is located outside the United States or involves an international transfer of project information, technology, software, equipment, or materials; or
- may be subject to U.S. government restrictions.
ORS can assist in determining whether research security or export control requirements apply before the activity proceeds.
International Student Participation
International students contribute to research, innovation, and scholarly activities throughout the University and may participate in most University research activities.
In certain circumstances, U.S. export control laws or specific federal sponsor or contractual requirements may restrict access to particular controlled technology, technical data, source code, information, equipment, or project activities. Under U.S. export control regulations, for example, the release of certain controlled technology or source code to a foreign person within the United States may constitute a deemed export and may require authorization.
Access or participation restrictions should be based on applicable legal, regulatory, sponsor, contractual, or other authorized requirements—not simply on a student's citizenship or national origin.
Contact ORS when you are uncertain whether an access or participation requirement applies.
Related Guidance
| Guidance | Description |
|---|---|
| Deemed Exports | Learn when access to controlled technology or source code by a foreign person in the United States may constitute an export. |
| Fundamental Research | Learn about the fundamental research exclusion and research intended for open publication and dissemination. |
| Critical & Emerging Technologies | Learn about federally identified critical and emerging technology areas and how they may relate to research security considerations. |
| Restricted Entity Screening | Learn how individuals and organizations are screened against U.S. government restricted party and entity lists. |
| Sharing Research Information | Guidance for sharing research information, data, software, technology, technical information, and other research outputs. |
| Sponsor & Agreement Requirements | Guidance for identifying research security, export control, information protection, access, and other project-specific requirements established by sponsors and agreements. |
Need Assistance?
Contact the Office of Research Security when a student-led or independent activity may involve controlled technology, restricted information, external or international organizations, access or participation restrictions, international transfers, or other research security requirements.
ORS can help identify applicable requirements, conduct research security and export control reviews within its areas of responsibility, and coordinate with other University offices when appropriate.