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Export Controls

Export controls are U.S. laws and their implementing regulations that govern the distribution to foreign nationals and foreign countries of strategically important technology, services, and information, including equipment and technology used in research, for reasons of foreign policy and national security. The United States is committed to encouraging technology exchanges that are consistent with U.S. national security and nuclear nonproliferation objectives as set forth in the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) implemented by the State Department, the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) implemented by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the Commerce Department,  the laws and regulations implemented by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the laws and regulations implemented by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Most of MIT's research is exempt from export control regulations because we engage in basic and applied research activities where the research results are open to the public. Nonetheless, it is important for everyone within MIT to learn how to recognize export control issues when they arise in their daily work, and to understand the resources available within MIT to deal with these issues. You should use the resources on this site and contact the Office of Sponsored Programs if:

  • You need to ship items internationally.
  • You will be traveling outside of the United States.
  • You want or plan to have a foreign national(s) participate in the research.
  • You are submitting a proposal for a Request for Proposal (RFP) marked “Export-Controlled.”
  • You want to collaborate with a researcher or institution from outside the United States.
  • Your research project has contractual restrictions on publishing, proprietary information, or foreign national participation.
  • You will be or may be receiving military- or space-related information, technical data, equipment, or software.
  • You will be researching or are proposing to research subjects related to nuclear, chemical, biological, weaponry, missiles, unmanned vehicles, or encryption technologies.

If you have any questions, please contact David Quimby, Export Control Officer, Office of Sponsored Programs, at 3-2822, via e-mail at dquimby@mit.edu, or stop by E19-750.