Federal export control laws regulate how and if certain sensitive information, technologies, and commodities may be transmitted overseas or to foreign nationals on U.S. soil. These laws cover exports in virtually all fields of science, engineering, and technology and apply to a wide variety of research activities, regardless of the source of funding. They have been developed to address issues of national security, trade protection, and/or the transmission of materials that could support political ideologies of certain countries.

U.S. universities, including UNLV, must comply with these laws, and faculty, staff, and students are subject to their requirements. Failure to comply with these laws can have serious consequences, including fines and sanctions for the institution, and fines and even imprisonment for individuals in extreme cases. In some situations, these regulations may require UNLV to obtain permission from the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, or the Office of Foreign Assets Control before allowing foreign nationals to participate in research involving specific technologies or before sharing research information with persons who are not citizens of the United States or permanent resident aliens.

UNLV remains committed to teaching, research, and service that are accomplished openly and without prohibitions or restrictions on the publication and dissemination of the results of academic and research activities. However, because export control laws may at times conflict with UNLV’s tradition of academic freedom and openness in research, and because failure to comply with these laws can have serious consequences, it is important that all persons involved in research understand export control regulations and implementation requirements.

UNLV’s export control procedures and guidelines are consistent with the Nevada System of Higher Education Export Control and Economic Sanctions Policy.