International Research
International research and collaboration are an important part of the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) research community. UHD researchers collaborate with international partners, host visiting scholars, and work with international graduate students. As the global research environment becomes increasingly complex, researchers are expected to understand and comply with applicable requirements related to research security, export controls, international collaborations, and foreign engagement.
Collaborating With Foreign Entities
International collaborations may involve export control requirements when providing services, technology, data, or financial assistance to certain countries, individuals, or entities. Fundamental research that is ordinarily published and broadly shared is generally excluded from export controls, provided researchers have not accepted restrictions for proprietary or national security reasons.
Before entering into an agreement with or engaging a foreign collaborator, UHD will conduct appropriate screening of individuals and entities involved in the transaction against government restricted-party lists. Researchers should not make commitments or arrangements with prospective foreign partners or funding sources outside established university processes. Questions regarding agreements, contracts, or sponsored research should be directed to the appropriate UHD research administration office at ORSP@uhd.edu.
Federal Agency Requirements
Federal agencies may impose additional requirements or restrictions on international research activities and foreign affiliations.
- NSF: NSF has established research security requirements related to collaborations with entities on U.S. restricted-party lists. Senior/key personnel may be subject to restrictions on collaborations, appointments, positions, or research support involving restricted entities and may be required to certify compliance at proposal submission.
- NIH: Senior/key personnel must disclose research support, foreign components, and applicable financial conflicts of interest. Research applications must identify and justify any foreign component. A foreign component may include significant research activities conducted outside the United States, collaboration with foreign investigators, use of foreign facilities or resources, or support from a foreign entity.
- NSF Current & Pending Support: Senior personnel must disclose current and pending support and other resources related to their research activities, regardless of whether those resources have monetary value.
- DOE: DOE requirements may restrict certain international collaborations, foreign affiliations, and participation in foreign talent recruitment programs involving countries designated as sensitive by the agency.
- DOD: DOD proposal requirements include disclosure of current and pending support and other relevant information for key personnel.
- NASA: Federal restrictions may limit NASA-funded research involving bilateral collaboration or coordination with China or Chinese-owned entities.
Researchers should review applicable agency requirements before entering into international collaborations or submitting proposals involving foreign partners.
Visiting Foreign Research and Scholars
Foreign nationals may not have access to controlled technologies, technical data, or information without appropriate authorization. Sharing controlled technology or information with a foreign national in the United States may constitute a deemed export under U.S. export control regulations. U.S. permanent residents are generally not considered foreign nationals for this purpose.
Researchers hosting international visitors should:
- Follow UHD requirements for visiting researchers and scholars.
- Complete required forms and applicable safety training.
- Ensure visitors participating in human or animal research are appropriately included in applicable protocols and complete required research ethics training.
- Address intellectual property, confidentiality, and data-use considerations before sharing research information or data.
- Execute a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) when required for the transfer of research materials.
International Travel
International travel involving research, technology, equipment, data, or controlled information may be subject to university approval and U.S. export control requirements.
Before international travel, employees should:
- Obtain required university travel approvals.
- Complete applicable export control and travel-related forms.
- Complete any required security briefing.
- Determine whether laptops, encryption products, data, technology, technical drawings, or other research materials are subject to export controls.
- Take appropriate precautions when traveling with research data or university devices.
Defense-related articles, services, and technical data may be subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and may require authorization before being taken outside the United States or shared with foreign nationals.
Researchers should also be aware that electronic devices may be subject to inspection by U.S. or foreign authorities when traveling internationally. Appropriate precautions should be taken to protect university data, research information, and intellectual property.
UHD researchers are encouraged to consult the appropriate university offices before engaging in international collaborations, hosting foreign researchers, or traveling internationally with research-related equipment, data, or technology.