Export Controls

 

Stanford University conducts its research activities in an open environment. Consistent with one of its most fundamental policies, the Openness in Research policy (RPH 2.6), Stanford is committed to the principle of freedom of access by all interested parties to the underlying data, to the processes and to the final results of research. In keeping with this commitment, Stanford will not accept research agreements that limit the publication of results, or that limit the participation of researchers on the basis of citzenship.

At the same time, Stanford is fully committed to complying with all applicable export control laws and regulations that pertain to the conduct and dissemination of our research and its products. Researchers at Stanford will likely, at one time or another, intersect with federal regulations that impose access, dissemination or participation restrictions on the transfer of items and information regulated for reasons of national security, foreign policy, anti-terrorism or non-proliferation. In these situations, researchers are dealing with the Export Control Regulations of the United States.

Export controls, when applicable, may require Stanford to receive authorization from the US Government in the form of an export license. An export license permits "controlled" tangible items or software to be sent outside of the US, or for controlled information or software code to be shared with foreign persons in the US ("deemed exports") or abroad. Most of the tangible items, information or software that Stanford ships or shares with its colleagues and research partners is not of a nature that would be restricted for these purposes, nor are they frequently destined for countries or individuals subject to US embargoes or sanctions. Stanford however is required to demonstrate its export control due diligence and to document its adherence to US export controls and trade sanctions laws.

What you will find here

The links on this page will take you to practical information and tools for identifying and addressing export control compliance issues germane to research at Stanford. Of particular importance are the University's Export Control Policy (RPH 10.2) and its Export Controls Decision Tree, adopted as a national standard by US academic instiitutions, which is linked in the left-side menu of these pages.

The Resources section includes articles and publications, as well as memoranda and other correspondence templates. In addition, special pages have been created for the following circumstances that present particular export control compliance challenges:

• Handling NDAs and Confidentiality Agreements
• Transfer or transmission of certain Stanford-generated encryption software abroad
• International shipments of controlled pathogens and chemicals
• Temporary Exports (TMP) Property Checklist and FAQs

Submission and retention of proper export documentation is an essential component of Stanford's export control compliance program. Instructive web-based, interactive Export Control Forms pages are available through this site.

Export control can be a complicated compliance area. Stanford's Export Control Officer is available to meet with individuals or groups to explain the regulations as they may be applicable to the work being done, and to provide assistance.

 

Disclaimer: Stanford's Export Controls Decision Tree and other materials found on Stanford's export control website (export.stanford.edu and subsites) are specifically tailored to the Stanford research community. Stanford's export control content may not apply to your specific situation or may be incomplete. Stanford's export control materials do not constitute legal advice.  Those outside the Stanford research community should not act or rely on any information on Stanford's export control website and should seek the advice of an attorney before taking any action.