Month: April 2008

04/28/08

A Quick Guide to Export Control Regulations and Restrictions on Access by Foreign Nationals

The primary United States regulations controlling export activities are the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) administered by the Department of State; the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the Department of Commerce; and the foreign asset control regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the Department of the Treasury. If an activity is controlled under the export regulations, then a license or other approval is needed from the relevant agency unless an exemption applies. Even if approval is not needed, there might be requirements for government review prior to conduct of the activity, for giving notice to the government, or for keeping special records. Also, if an activity is controlled, there likely will be restrictions as to who can participate in the activity. There are potentially severe civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for violating the export laws. Both the organization and the individuals involved are subject to these penalties.

Across the country, universities are struggling to come to terms with export controls – particularly with respect to types of research activities conducted and the inclusion of foreign nationals on some research projects.  At the UM, a Research Restrictions Committee convened by President Mary Sue Coleman in January 2003 recommended that the University :

1. Maintain an open environment with no restrictions on publication
2. Should not accept any project that allows the exclusion of U-M personnel from participating in research due to their ethnicity, national background or nationality, unless a strong case can be made that the project is clearly in the “public interest.”

For more information on export control regulations and restrictions on access by foreign nationals, see:  http://www.research.umich.edu/policies/federal/export_controls.html .  There is a particularly useful section on debunking myths about universities and export controls.  If you have any questions or would be interested in having a workshop for your unit on this topic, please contact John Callewaert, [email protected]

04/15/08

Internal Funding Opportunities

In addition to funding available from the UM-Flint Office of Research, the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) offers support for research, scholarship, and creative activities in all fields. Instructional Faculty, Research Faculty, Research Scientists, Librarians, Curators, and Archivists are eligible. Applications are reviewed by peer faculty. OVPR’s intent is to:

  • Help support areas of research and scholarship where external funds are scarce or unavailable.
  • Assist in maintaining the base activities of high-quality projects between funding cycles
  • Cost share for equipment and infrastructure on sponsored activity
  • Seed novel, high-risk, innovative, inter-unit projects
  • Assist with colloquia, symposia, and other events that promote the evolution of new research ideas and collaborations.
  • Assist junior faculty in establishing new research programs

Review eligibility and funding guidelines at: http://www.research.umich.edu/funding/um_sources/ovpr.html

As several of these opportunities require cost-sharing, anyone interested in applying for OVPR funds is requested to contact the Office of Research prior to submitting an application.  The awarding of funds from OVPR does not automatically guarantee cost-sharing funds from UM-Flint.   Please direct any questions to John Callewaert.

04/2/08

U of M Human Research Protection Program Receives Accreditation

From The University Record:

The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs has granted full accreditation to U-M, one of 15 institutions to receive the group’s endorsement this year.

The AAHRPP in a non-profit organization that works with universities, hospitals and other institutions that conduct biomedical, behavioral and social sciences research involving human participants. The group accredits institutions that demonstrate they provide participant safeguards beyond the threshold of state and federal requirements.

To date, 107 institutions have earned AAHRPP accreditation. The latest endorsements were announced March 20 in Washington, D.C.

Source

Congratulations to all involved, especially UM-Flint’s IRB!