Export Control Questionnaire

An Export Control Questionnaire was created by the University's Office of General Counsel (OGC) and added to the DS-2019 application. The Export Control Questionnaire must be submitted with all DS-2019 applications. Receipt of the questionnaire and clearance of the Exchange Visitor is a condition of issuing the DS-2019.

All Exchange Visitors are subject to Export Control, including Research Scholars, Short Term Scholars, Professors, Specialists, Students, and Student Interns. The Questionnaire must be completed and signed by the Primary Investigator (PI), supervisor, or other department representative with intimate knowledge of the Exchange Visitor's research. 

To provide some context, the University of Utah must comply with United States Export Control regulations, and the Questionnaire is designed to facilitate compliance with export control regulations. These regulations concern transfer or access to export controlled equipment and technologies by foreign nationals. When the University sponsors a J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV), we must:

1. Review the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) administered by the U.S. Department of State
2. Determine whether or not a license is required to allow the foreign national Exchange Visitor access to export controlled items or technology (laboratory equipment/research instruments, materials, software or technology/technical data). 

As a general principle, the University of Utah adheres to principles of openness in research based on its mission of education, research and public service. Consistent with these principles, the University will not generally enter into a contract nor accept a grant to carry out research if the grant or contract restricts the freedom of the University to publish results or limits the partcipation of researchers on the basis of citizenship. However, there are exceptions to this general position that trigger export control restrictions, so each EV must be evaluated.

If research is subject to Export Control regulations, and an exemption is not available, the government will require the University to obtain a license before allowing foreign nationals to participate in the controlled research. Licenses are not easily obtained and require careful preparation and a significant amount of lead-time. Noncompliance with export control regulations subjects both individuals and the University to penalities, which may include monetary and criminal punishment. 

Information about Export Controls can be found on the Bureau of Industry and Security Website and on the EXBS fact sheet and the University's commitment to compliance can be found on the Office of Sponsored Project's website.

Thank you for your cooperation and please let us know if there are any questions.

J-1 Scholar Team