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
New Federal Restrictions on Certain Foreign-Made Drones Entering Into Force in Late 2025
December 2023
Section 1825 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, enacted in December 2023, provides that federal funds awarded through a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other mechanism may not be used in connection with the procurement or mere operation of a covered unmanned aircraft system or drone produced by a covered foreign entity. Covered foreign entities include any entities on various federal restricted parties lists, as well as the governments of China and Russia.
This purchase and use prohibition will apply to drones from DJI, among certain other non-US manufacturers. The effective date is expected to be no later than December 2025, after detailed regulations are in place, and researchers are encouraged to plan accordingly.
Please reach out to Export Controls at eco@umn.edu with any questions or concerns.
Guidelines for Federal Research Agencies Regarding Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
February 14, 2024
As required by the CHIPS and Science Act, the White House Office for Science and Technology Policy has released a definition of foreign talent recruitment programs (FTRPs). An FTRP is "any program, position, or activity that includes compensation in the form of cash, in-kind compensation, including research funding, promised future compensation, complimentary foreign travel, things of non de minimis value, honorific titles, career advancement opportunities, or other types of remuneration or consideration directly provided by a foreign country at any level (national, provincial, or local) or their designee, or an entity based in, funded by, or affiliated with a foreign country, whether or not directly sponsored by the foreign country, to an individual, whether directly or indirectly stated in the arrangement, contract, or other documentation at issue." Some activities that do not constitute a FTRP include making scholarly presentations and publishing written materials regarding scientific information not otherwise controlled under U.S. law, and participating in international conferences and research projects or other programs that involve open and reciprocal exchanges of scientific information. FTRP participation must be disclosed to federal research sponsors, and participation in malign FTRPs is prohibited. Additional guidance is on RIO's website.
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.