Export Controls Resources
The resources below are provided to help University personnel identify activities that may require export control review, documentation, or additional guidance from the Export Control Officer.
University personnel are encouraged to review the University’s Export Control Policy and Export Compliance Procedure Manual as part of the export controls review process.
Export Control Review
If you are unsure whether your activity may involve export-controlled items, technology, software, technical data, equipment, materials, international shipments, foreign national access, restricted parties, or other compliance considerations, please complete the Export Control Review Checklist.
If the checklist indicates that assistance from the Export Control Officer is needed, please complete the Export License Review Worksheet and submit it to researchsecurity@louisiana.edu.
Helpful resources:
- Export Control Policy
- Export Controls Compliance Manual
- Export Control Review Checklist
- Export License Review Worksheet
Examples of activities that may require review include:
- International shipments or hand-carrying equipment, materials, software, or technology abroad;
- Research involving foreign collaborators, foreign sponsors, restricted parties, or sanctioned destinations;
- Access to controlled technical data, software, equipment, materials, or technology by non-U.S. persons;
- Sponsor restrictions on publication, participation, access, or dissemination;
- Projects involving defense, military, space, nuclear, encryption, select agents, controlled biological materials, or other sensitive technologies; or
- Activities involving drones, restricted equipment, or technology with federal sponsor requirements.
Visiting Scholars and Scientists
If your department will host a visiting scholar, scientist, researcher, or other visitor who is not a U.S. person, export control review may be required before the visitor begins work or receives access to University research, facilities, equipment, software, technology, or technical data.
Please have the visitor review and sign the Visiting Scholar/Scientist Export Compliance Acknowledgement. The form should also be reviewed and signed by the appropriate University representative, such as the faculty host, department head, or college dean, and submitted to researchsecurity@louisiana.edu.
Drone Use Regulation Update
Effective December 22, 2025, federal funds may not be used to purchase or operate certain unmanned aircraft systems, including drones, that are manufactured or assembled by American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entities.
This restriction may apply to federal grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, subawards, flow-through awards, and other federally funded activities. It may also apply to drones purchased before December 22, 2025, if those drones will be used in the performance of federally funded work after that date.
Covered Foreign Entities
Covered foreign entities may include drone manufacturers, assemblers, subsidiaries, affiliates, or related entities associated with countries or organizations identified under federal law, including certain entities connected to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, or other sanctioned, embargoed, or restricted jurisdictions.
Common drone brands, including DJI and Autel, may be restricted depending on the applicable federal list, award terms, sponsor requirements, and current federal guidance. The American Security Drone Act of 2023 requires covered foreign entities to be identified through SAM.gov.
Federal Drone Restrictions
Federal drone restrictions are based on several federal laws and requirements, including:
- The American Security Drone Act of 2023;
- The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024; and
- FAR 52.240-1, “Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American Security Drone Act-Covered Foreign Entities.”
These restrictions may prohibit the use of federal funds to purchase, operate, lease, or otherwise use covered drones in connection with federally funded projects.
Drones for Federally Funded Activities
Before purchasing or using a drone for federally funded research or sponsored activities, University personnel should confirm whether the drone is permitted under the applicable award terms, sponsor requirements, federal restrictions, procurement rules, cybersecurity requirements, and export control considerations.
Drones listed on the Blue UAS Cleared List or Green UAS certification list may provide additional assurance that the platform has undergone security, cybersecurity, and supply-chain review. However, use of a Blue UAS or Green UAS-listed drone does not automatically satisfy all sponsor, award, procurement, export control, data security, or operational requirements.
University personnel should contact the Export Control Officer before purchasing, operating, borrowing, leasing, or using a drone for federally funded work.
Non-Federally Funded Research
The federal funding restrictions described above are focused on federally funded activities. Non-federally funded drone use may still be subject to other federal, state, local, FAA, campus, property-owner, privacy, cybersecurity, export control, or sponsor-specific requirements.
Support
If you are uncertain whether these restrictions apply to your project, proposed purchase, existing drone, or third-party drone service, please contact the Research Integrity & Compliance Office for assistance before purchase or use.
If you anticipate purchasing or using a drone as part of a federal award, prior sponsor approval may be required. Please contact the Export Control Officer at researchsecurity@louisiana.edu or your Sponsored Programs representative for assistance before contacting the sponsor or making the purchase.