Office of Export Control & International Compliance (ECIC)

The concept of International Compliance (a.k.a. Export Controls) includes the shipment or transfer of equipment, articles, services or encryption software to another country as well as the transfer of technical data or information to a foreign national, whether it occurs in the U.S. or abroad.

Map of the world showing transportation lines

It is the policy of UNT Health to fully abide by federal laws and regulations, including the Department of Commerce Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the Department of State International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), regulations of the Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and other bodies of export regulations.

The EAR govern dual-use items, technologies and software with commercial and military applications. The ITAR govern materials, technologies and software specially designed for military applications. OFAC governs economic and trade sanctions in support of US national security and foreign policy objectives. UNT Health research activities may remain compliant with export control laws under the fundamental research exclusion by ensuring that it meets the definition of fundamental research – “…research in science, engineering, or mathematics, the results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly within the research community, and for which the researchers have not accepted restrictions for proprietary or national security reasons.”

However, BEWARE!  International Compliance applies to all activities which include export controls and sponsored research projects.  Violation of export control laws and regulations can result in significant civil and criminal penalties for UNT Health and for the individual researchers involved.

UNT Health Export Controls: Download Our Brochure

 

Compliance Standards

ECIC is dedicated to maintaining research integrity and security in compliance with federal regulations:

  • National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33)
    Mandates security standards to protect the integrity of federally funded research.
  • NIST SP 800-171
    Establishes requirements for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) on non-federal systems, crucial for research security.
  • Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0
    Defines cybersecurity standards to secure sensitive information in research and federal contracting environments.
  • Export Controls
    ECIC complies with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) guidelines to ensure secure international collaborations and research compliance.

 

University-Wide Export Controls, CUI and Research Data Protection

ECIC supports UNT Health’s university-wide compliance efforts related to Export Controls, International Compliance, Research Data Management and the protection of sensitive information. This includes supporting compliance with applicable federal requirements for export-controlled information, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and NIST-aligned standards, including NIST SP 800-171 where applicable.

ECIC works with campus partners to help identify compliance considerations related to restricted data, export-controlled technology, international collaborations, secure data handling and appropriate access controls.

*Additional guidance will be provided as related policies and procedures are finalized. 

 

Export Control and International Compliance

The Office of Export Control and International Compliance (ECIC) at UNT Health is dedicated to ensuring compliance with federal export control laws and regulations. Our responsibilities include managing research involving controlled information, technologies, and interactions with foreign entities to protect sensitive data and maintain national security.

ECIC adheres to the following regulations and policies:

In compliance with UNT Health policy, all personnel, including faculty, staff, students and visiting scientists, must adhere to export control laws, especially when collaborating internationally or handling controlled technologies. This includes bi-annual disclosures to the U.S. Department of Education for foreign gifts or contracts with an aggregate value of $250,000 or more.

For guidance on compliance or to report any concerns related to export controls, please contact:

ECIC is committed to supporting UNT Health’s compliance with export control laws, protecting sensitive research, and maintaining the integrity of international research partnerships.

Research Data Management 

Research Data Management at UNT Health

ECIC’s work spans export controls, international compliance, and research data management. We partner with researchers to safeguard the integrity, confidentiality and availability of research data throughout its lifecycle — and our standards align with the NIH 2023 DMS Policy, NSPM-33, and NIST SP 800-171 for the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), extending to human-subjects data, export-controlled information and external data-sharing arrangements.

We support investigators with:

  • Data Management and Sharing Plans (DMSP) — required for NIH-funded and sensitive-data projects, reviewed for export control and research security implications.
  • Data Use Agreements (DUA) — governing the secure exchange of data with external collaborators, initiated through the Office of Sponsored Programs.
  • Data Breach Response — protocols for the rapid identification, reporting, and containment of incidents involving sensitive research data.
  • Secure platforms and lifecycle practices — including approved electronic research notebooks (LabArchives), data classification, access controls and secure retention and disposal.
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Training and Compliance Support

ECIC offers training and resources to assist UNT Health faculty and staff in understanding and adhering to research security requirements. Contact us for support or to arrange a compliance consultation:

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Additional Resources

For more information on compliance standards, visit the following resources:

 

Contact Information

Crystal Perez

Ph: 817-735-0432- Email: Crystal.Perez@unthealth.edu

 

 

Joycelyn BryantJoycelyn Bryant |

Ph: 817-735-0540- Email: Joycelyn.Bryant@unthealth.edu

 

Olaribigbe "Olari" Amusa, Research Security OfficerOlaribigbe “Olari” Amusa |

Ph: 817-735-0419- Email: Olaribigbe.Amusa@unthealth.edu

 

 Research Projects

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International Travel

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Resources

Books

H-1B and Other Visas

 

CITI Export Compliance