Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI): Government-created or government-handled information that requires safeguarding but is not classified. Must be protected from unauthorized disclosure, including to foreign visitors.
Deemed Export: Transfer of controlled technology or technical data to a foreign national inside the United States. Treated as an export under U.S. law and may require a license.
Foreign National: Any person who is not a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident (green card holder) or a protected person (refugee or political asylum status). Foreign nationals within the U.S. may be subject to deemed export rules.
Foreign Country of Concern: Countries designated as posing elevated national security risk: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba and Venezuela. Collaborations with entities in these countries require a SECURE risk review.
Fundamental Research Exclusion (FRE): Exemption from export control restrictions for basic and applied research whose results are published and shared openly. Lost if a sponsor restricts publication or limits who can participate in the research.
Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program: A foreign-sponsored program that involves unauthorized transfer of research, concealment of affiliations or overlap with federally funded work. Participation is prohibited by UK policy and disqualifies researchers from federal funding.
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC): U.S. Treasury office that administers economic sanctions and embargoes. Providing anything of value to sanctioned countries or individuals on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List may require a license.
Research Security: Safeguarding the research enterprise against theft, foreign interference and integrity violations that could harm national or economic security.
Technology Control Plan (TCP): A written plan, required for certain controlled research projects, that describes how the lab will prevent unauthorized access to controlled technology, equipment or data, including by foreign nationals.