As a public institution, the mission of the University of Colorado is to perform fundamental research with results that can be openly shared. This type of research is usually not subject to export controls. On occasion, however, research conducted at CU Boulder does not qualify for what is known as the Fundamental Research Exclusion (FRE) and must therefore comply with export controls regulations.

At the time an award is issued, the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) reviews the award terms and conditions and the responses of the Principal Investigator (PI) to the export controls questions on the Proposal Submission Request (PSR). If the award itself or the PSR responses suggest that the research project may be subject to export controls, OCG requests that the Office of Export Controls (OEC) perform an export controls review.

Whenever possible, OCG will negotiate changes to the award terms and conditions to meet the requirements for the FRE so that the research will not be subject to export controls. When this is not possible, and OEC has concluded that the research is subject to export controls, OEC will work with the PI to conduct a deeper analysis to determine the best course of action for the proposed research. Risk mitigation efforts might involve a change in scope, personnel, and/or the adoption of a Technology Control Plan (TCP) to ensure export controls compliance. 

Please see the Office of Export Controls website for more details, including helpful information on such topics as: 

In addition to restrictions imposed by export controls, an award may impose other types of restrictions on the publication or release of results. In those cases, OCG will support PIs as they navigate through the research compliance implications to ensure that the research remains open to the maximum extent possible.

For export controls questions related to sponsored research projects, please contact the Office of Export Controls at exportcontrolshelp@colorado.edu.