International Research Support & Guidance
International scholars and scholarship enrich all aspects of our academic enterprise; and international exchange, collaboration, and travel are key to our staying at the leading edge of knowledge. University of Minnesota Regents Policy directs that “The University has a responsibility to ensure, to the extent possible, respectful and ethical engagement with people, places, and ideas around the globe.”
To support these engagements and our culture of academic freedom and ethics, the University provides a variety of resources relating to research integrity and transparency, disclosure and management of potential conflicts, hosting non-US students and scholars, travel abroad, developing international agreements, and compliance with trade controls.
Read about Russia/Ukraine-Related Financial, Export, and Import Sanctions >
In the News
Comer & Lucas Investigate National Science Foundation’s Research Security Efforts
October 31, 2023
The Chairmen of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology are investigating the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) research security measures after the FBI has determined that American colleges and universities are at risk of undisclosed and illegal transfers of information, technology, and intellectual property. NSF has identified threats from foreign talent recruitment programs as one of its current challenges, and reports indicate that these risks are still ongoing. In a letter to the Director of NSF, the Chairmen requested documents and information about its research security efforts and whether it is addressing identified vulnerabilities. Please reach out to the Export Controls office at eco@umn.edu with any questions.
President Biden Issues Executive Order to Restrict Investments in Certain High-Tech Industries in Countries of Concern
Aug 9, 2023
President Biden issued an Executive Order (EO) addressing the national security threat posed by countries of concern that may try to develop or utilize advanced, sensitive technologies. The EO directs the Department of the Treasury to create a program that will prohibit or require notification of investments to certain entities located in countries of concern and involved in certain advanced technologies, such as semiconductors and microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. This EO identifies the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau) as a country of concern. Treasury has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to begin providing clarity about the intended scope and processes of the new program. While the requirements will not likely have a direct impact on the University research community, they reflect a heightened sense of federal government concern around high-tech activities in countries of concern. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the Export Controls Office at eco@umn.edu for more information about these developments and whether they might affect your University activities.
Several Russian Scientific Institutes added to SDN List
July 20, 2023
The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control recently added several institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List. It is generally unlawful to engage with any organizations or individuals, including research institutions, identified on the SDN List without specific permission from the U.S. Government. A comprehensive list of research institutions and universities on the SDN List can be found on the Export Controls Office (ECO) website here. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the ECO at eco@umn.edu for more information about Russia/Belarus/Ukraine-related sanctions and whether they might affect your University activities.
DoD Policy for Risk-Based Security Reviews of Fundamental Research
June 29, 2023
The Department of Defense (DoD) published a new policy instructing components to implement a risk-based process for reviewing fundamental research awards for potential conflicts of interest or conflicts of commitment arising from undue foreign influence. The publication includes a matrix to aid DoD components in developing their security review processes to look for signs of undue foreign influence and negotiate mitigation plans when appropriate before awards can be finalized. Factors the matrix highlights as potentially needing mitigation include participation in foreign talent recruitment programs, receiving funding from a foreign country of concern, association with entities on the BIS Entity list, and more. Please reach out to the Export Controls Office with any questions.
Implementation of Additional Sanctions Against Russia and Belarus Under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and Refinements to Existing Controls
May 19, 2023
The Department of Commerce is expanding sanctions in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) against Russia and Belarus. This new rulemaking refines existing export restrictions for Russia and Belarus, and also builds upon the "foreign direct product" rule that currently applies to Russia, Belarus, and occupied regions of Ukraine. This regulatory expansion is intended to enhance the effectiveness of the export controls on Russia and Belarus and bring these controls into better alignment with those implemented by U.S. allies and partners. Please reach out to the Export Controls Office for more information about Russia/Belarus/Ukraine-related sanctions and whether they might affect your University activities.