Export controls are U.S. laws and regulations that regulate and restrict the release of critical technologies, information, and services to foreign nationals, within and outside of the United States, and foreign countries for reasons of foreign policy and national security. The scope of export-controlled items is very broad and includes, but is not limited to, equipment, software code, chemical and biological materials, and technical data. These laws and regulations, which include international sanctions programs, also restrict activities within certain countries and with designated institutions, entities, and individuals, even if no controlled items are involved. Export controls apply to virtually all fields of science and engineering and restrict both physical shipments and electronic transmission of information. These laws apply to all activities – not just sponsored research projects.
Exports include:
- an actual shipment or transmission out of the United States, including sending or taking a controlled item or information out of the United States in any manner,
- releasing or otherwise transferring (including verbally or visually) information about a controlled item to a foreign person in the United States (a "deemed export"),
- transferring registration, control, or ownership of certain controlled items to a foreign person, and
- use or application of controlled technology on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any foreign person or entity, either in the U.S. or abroad.
Research Foundation for SUNY Export Control Resources
The Research Foundation for SUNY has gathered many resources related to understanding of and compliance with export controls. Please visit the Research Foundation for SUNY Export Controls webpage to access this information.
CITI Export Controls Course
An online course in Export Controls Compliance is available to all students, faculty and staff through CITI (the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative). The course includes one required module, Introduction to Export Compliance, and several optional modules related to specific needs or circumstances (e.g. export compliance and distance education, export compliance and biosafety). To register for this or other CITI courses, go to CITI and click the "Register" button. In the box "Select Your Organization Affiliation" type SUNY - Geneseo, agree to the terms and proceed through the registration process.
Who to Contact
The Office of Sponsored Research is the first point of contact for export controls in matters related to sponsored program and technology transfer activities. Contact us (Anne Baldwin, baldwina@geneseo.edu, or Sue Rubright, rubright@geneseo.edu) if you think you have an export situation, need more information or have any questions. We have access to software that simplifies reviewing your situation in accordance with the export control regulations and lists and can help you apply for a license, if needed.