When research is subject to export controls,Ìıthe university has increased obligations under federal law to protect the technology that comes from the research—including any data and software—according to a complex set of regulations.


The scope of such protection will depend on the implications the technology has for national security, regional stability, human rights protections, anti-terrorism, etc.

If the implications are significant, then the university will need to implement a stricter level of protection through:

  • Physical access controls
  • Data security measures
  • Personnel restrictions
  • Increased scruitny of foreign collaborations

The good news is that most research conducted at CU Boulder meets the requirements for one of three main exclusionsÌıto the application of export controls, allowing for open participation and collaboration in campus research.