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International Research

Introduction

All research conducted at another site, including in another country, must meet all US and University of Nebraska regulatory guidelines and laws. We have developed a questionnaire to help you prepare for research performed in collaboration with researchers located in another country or while doing research yourself in another country. Please complete the questionnaire and submit it to Sponsored Programs Administration as you plan the research.

Examples of considerations include:

  • Human subjects research must still be performed to the same standards as required at UNMC, including approval by the UNMC IRB committee in addition to the research review process of the collaborating institution
  • Animal research must be performed in an approved facility and the project approved through the UNMC IACUC as well as by the collaborating institution
  • Intellectual property or research that may result in intellectual property may require separate New Invention Notice for the country in question
  • The Department of Transportation has developed specific rules for the transport of biologic or infectious disease specimens
  • The US Government has established controls on the export of strategic technologies as described further below

Additional information for International Projects can be found at: unmc.edu/academicaffairs/compliance/areas/export

Getting Started

An international project questionnaire/checklist is available to prepare researchers for international projects and travel. It must be completed if you are preparing an international project or grant and is requested for international travel.

The International Projects Questionnaire addresses these areas:

  • General Project Information
  • Human Subjects
  • Animal Use
  • Materials and Equipment
  • Personnel
  • Logistics
  • Travel
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Intellectual Property

Completed questionnaires should be submitted to: SPAdmin with your application; Business and Finance for other contracts; UNeMed for material transfer agreements.

Export Controls

Export controls are US government regulations that govern the export of strategic technologies, equipment, hardware, software, or provision of technical assistance to foreign persons inside or outside the United States. See UNMC’s policies related to export controls.

Export controls apply to, but are not limited to, the following activities:

  • Research activities conducted outside the United States
  • Shipping or hand carrying equipment, materials, or electronically transferring data to a foreign country, foreign national, or entity
  • Traveling to, training, collaborating, or providing payments or items to foreign nationals/entities in a sanctioned/embargoed country
  • Sharing, shipping, transmitting, or transferring encryption software in source code or object code to anyone outside the US including travel outside the US with this software
  • Plans to discuss or address any of the following under a non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement with an external sponsor, vendor, collaborator, or other third party:
    • Nuclear materials, facilities
    • Material, chemicals, micro-organisms or toxins
    • Materials processing
    • Telecommunications and information security
    • Lasers and sensors
    • Navigation and avionics
    • Marine
    • Propulsion systems, space vehicles, or military (ITAR) items
    • Equipment, assemblies, and components
    • Test, inspection, or production equipment
    • Software
    • Technology

Hand Carrying Items Abroad for Research

  • An export license may be required when carrying research items, depending on item and destination
  • Automated Export System (AES) reporting is required before departure for items valued over $2,500
  • Contact the Export Control Compliance Officer prior to traveling with research items: 402-559-4518

Shipping Internationally

  • An export license may be required depending on the item and destination
  • If you are shipping infectious substances that can affect humans or animals (Category A), biological substances (Category B), or exempt human or animal specimens and dry ice you can receive Training and Certification of International Shippers by the Environmental Health & Safety department.
  • Prior to shipping internationally, contact the Export Control Compliance Officer at: 402-559-4518

Required Budget Authorizations

All sponsored project budgets with international components are to apply the appropriate UNMC federally negotiated F&A rate. Authorizations for contracts unrelated to research are submitted to Associate Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance or the Director of Business Services (402-559-5200).

International Material Transfer Agreements

A Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) attaches certain terms to the use of tangible research materials and allows other researchers to use them while protecting rights associated with the materials. At UNMC, tangible materials can include molecular biology reagents, cell lines, recombinant mice, devices, or software. International Material Transfer Agreements are handled by UNeMed.

International Travel

All travel outside of the United States for UNMC business, education, or research purposes must be submitted to the Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance for authorization through the Concur application accessed through “Firefly”. See additional information regarding UNMC travel policies and procedures.

Carrying a Computer or Other Electronic Devices Outside the United States

Your departmental IT workstation specialists will help you determine if you should carry your laptop or other devices to the country proposed and any restrictions that may exist. They can also help you determine how best to access email or other databases off site.

If you need to establish a database for research collaborations outside the US, contact the Research IT Office.

Contact your cellular service provider to determine if your phone plan allows you to send or receive calls when outside of the United States.

International Research Programs and Resources at UNMC

Getting Answers to Questions Regarding International Research Requirements

Contact either:

International Research Projects: SPAdmin, 402-559-7456

Export Controls: Export Control Compliance Officer, 402-559-4518

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