Export Controls at GWU

The U.S. Government maintains a complex set of export control and economic sanctions laws that are designed to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. These laws restrict the shipment, transmission or transfer of certain items, software, technology, and services from the U.S. to foreign countries. These laws also restrict the transmission or transfer of controlled information to “deemed exports”, which are releases of controlled technology and software source code to foreign nationals located in the U.S.

U.S. export controls sometimes conflict with universities’ notions of academic freedom and openness in research. While many of the items, information and software that GWU ships, transfers or shares with its colleagues and research partners are not of a nature that would be restricted under these laws, members of the GWU community must understand the circumstances in which GUW activities become fully subject to these restrictions.

U.S. export control regulations exempt many GWU activities in the U.S. associated with academic research and coursework from export licensing requirements, even though these activities involve foreign students and researchers. These activities are exempt in many cases because they involve either “fundamental research” or “public domain” information.

In an effort to promote compliance, it is important for members of the University community to understand their obligations under the federal regulations and University policies. Criminal and civil penalties for unlawful export and disclosure of information in violation of U.S. export control laws can be severe, and include loss of research funding, fines, and/or imprisonment.

The information provided through this web site is intended for the members of the GWU community in an effort to promote understanding of Export Controls regulations and the procedures designed to ensure university compliance.