Guidance on Working with Iranian Collaborators

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 14:28:39 -0400

The ORPC has recently developed guidance for faculty and departments who plan to directly work with Iranian students admitted to UMBC or collaborate with Iranian scholars, particularly in research areas of the energy sector, nuclear science, nuclear energy, aerospace engineering or a related fields. Research with colleagues from Iran poses extra issues because of this country’s status as an embargoed country. Federal regulations do allow for certain academic and research endeavors but the above research areas have specific restrictions and may require authorization (usually through an export control license) to have access to equipment, information, and technology.

In light of these restrictions, the research community should be aware when planning research activities or creative endeavors. This guidance offers details which regulatory exemptions may apply to conducting projects, on how to best share data and materials with students and scholars, and travel to academic conferences where Iranians are participating.

Please reach out to the ORPC staff at compliance@umbc.edu with your export control related questions.

The ORPC is not involved in academic course planning and visa preparation hosting Iranian students and scholars to attend courses or participate in research programs. We do offer a service to screen research entities or individuals prior to their arrival at UMBC to confirm that the person or entity does not appear on any of multi-country agency lists of denied/excluded parties and that the visitor’s proposed agenda complies with relevant federal laws. Specific visa and immigration guidance and questions will be answered by our colleagues in International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS).