Stony Brook University (SBU) faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to participate
in international activities, as these may promote the creation of knowledge and enrich
learning experiences. These professional activities may include external academic
appointments, sabbaticals, conference presentations, mentoring, advising, tutoring
of non-SBU students, lectures, teaching engagements, or serving on review panels for
non-SBU entities. These activities may be performed in the U.S., outside the U.S.,
or a combination.
International activities enrich the SBU community’s intellectual and research endeavors,
international connections, and global perspectives. However, these international partners
may
SBU faculty and staff engaging in international professional activities are required
to complete a Restricted Party Screening.
The U.S. government maintains lists of entities and persons who are restricted and/or
denied certain transactions. This includes the recent "1286 List" - Restricted Party Overview
All foreign person and entities must be screened for inclusion on any of these lists
prior to engaging in activities. If they appear on one of these lists you must contact
the Research Security Program before engaging in any activities or invitations.
Researchers, as well as faculty and staff, accepting appointments at foreign institutions
(regardless of compensation and/or title) must make sure that they are not agreeing
to be part of a Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program (MFTRP). Is My Talent Program Malign?
Faculty should understand the characteristics of foreign talent recruitment program (FTRP). Most federal sponsors prohibit a principal investigator or key personnel
from participation in a malign foreign talent recruitment program (MFTRP) and/or consider
participation in any FTRP when making award determinations.
In addition to addressing concerns related to restricted parties, other regulatory
requirements, such as sharing export-controlled information, access to intellectual
property, and potential undue foreign influence concerns must be considered and reviewed
in balance with the benefits of the international professional activity.
Researchers, as well as faculty and staff, should review the below general guidance
for considerations when engaging in international professional activities.
Be aware of potential Academic Solicitation which may include requests from U.S. persons, or from foreign nationals located in the United
States or abroad, and may consist of:
Unsolicited applications or requests for undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate or
other research positions.
Unsolicited requests for access to research papers or other research-related publications
or documents.
Unsolicited requests for assistance with or review of thesis papers, draft publications
or other research-related documents.
Unsolicited invitations to attend and/or present at international conferences.
The federal government maintains a list of critical and emerging technologies that
are potentially significant to U.S. national security.
Conduct of research in these areas at an international location should be reviewed
by the Research Security Program.
Federal Resource: Critical and Emerging Technologies List Update (February 2024); Fast Track Action Subcommittee on Critical and Emerging Technologies
of the National Science and Technology Council.
The federal government has identified China, Iran, Russia and North Korea as Countries
of Concern.
There are additional considerations when conducting professional activities in Countries
of Concern, contact the Research Security Program for a review of the professional
activity and discussion about any potential risks or restrictions.
Publications should accurately reflect affiliations, contributions and support. Federal
agencies also monitor publications to ensure that foreign components, international
collaborators and funding support have been properly reported both in the manuscript
and to the agency. Review the Recommendations on Authorship from the Provost's Office.
Note: Several SBU departments also have authorship guidelines for their area.
U.S. federal agencies are increasing efforts to identify and counter undue foreign
influence in federally-funded research. Federal agencies have implemented a variety
of policies and processes for these purposes. Faculty and staff should understand
how federal funding agencies will review and consider their international professional
activities. Review the information on Federal Sponsor Risk Reviews.
Export Controls
Researchers, as well as faculty and staff, engaging in professional activities have
an obligation to be aware of export restrictions applicable to the conduct of professional
activities. The Export Control Compliance team can provide support with potential export controls
issues for professional activities.
Beyond Countries of Concern (China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia), the Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Controls places restrictions on
certain persons, entities, and countries. Full list available here
If the professional activity will be with an individual or entity in an embargoed
country, i.e., North Korea, Cuba, Iran , Russia, Syria, Crimean Region of Ukraine,
Luhansk Region of Ukraine, or Donetsk Region of Ukraine, the faculty member or student's
faculty advisor MUST consult with the SBU Export Control Compliance team before conducting any activities.
If the professional activity includes the sharing of information that is notPublicly Available then that information is considered proprietary and needs to be reviewed for export
control determination.
Researchers with federal funding must understand when professional activities need
to be disclosed to and/or require approval from a federal sponsor. Disclosure and
prior approval requirements may vary among federal sponsors.
U.S. federal agencies are increasing efforts to identify and counter undue foreign
influence in federally-funded research. Federal agencies have implemented a variety
of policies and processes for these purposes.
If a faculty member is funded by, or plan to submit a proposal to, one of these federal
agencies it is important to understand the agency's disclosure requirements, prohibited
activities, and risk review criteria.
Researchers, as well as faculty and staff, engaged in professional activities, must
follow campus policies and procedures for professional activities. If the professional
activity includes an international collaboration component, make sure to review the
International Collaboration guidance for additional considerations.
