Drones and Federally Funded Activities
Federal requirements restrict the use of federal funds to procure or operate certain unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), including drones.
Effective December 22, 2025, federal funds generally may not be used to procure or operate a FASC-prohibited unmanned aircraft system, subject to applicable exceptions and waivers.
These requirements may affect federally funded grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, subawards, and other sponsored activities involving drones or other unmanned aircraft systems.
Before Purchasing or Using a Drone
University personnel planning to purchase or use a drone in connection with federally funded research or sponsored activities should obtain appropriate review before purchasing, operating, borrowing, leasing, or otherwise using the system for the project.
Review may include consideration of:
- The drone manufacturer, system, and associated components;
- Applicable federal restrictions;
- Sponsor and award requirements;
- Procurement requirements;
- Cybersecurity and data security requirements;
- Export control considerations; and
- Any applicable exceptions, waivers, or approvals.
Restrictions may apply to the operation of a covered drone with federal funds even when the drone was purchased previously or with non-federal funds.
Federal Resources
Current federal requirements and applicable lists should be consulted when evaluating a proposed drone purchase or use.
Relevant federal resources include:
- The American Security Drone Act of 2023;
- Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 40.2, Security Prohibitions and Exclusions; and
- Applicable Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) information and federal lists identifying prohibited unmanned aircraft systems.
Because federal lists and requirements may change, University personnel should not rely solely on a drone's brand, manufacturer, or prior University use to determine whether it may be used for federally funded work.
FCC Requirements
Federal Communications Commission requirements may also affect the acquisition and availability of certain foreign-produced UAS and UAS critical components.
The FCC added foreign-produced UAS and UAS critical components to its Covered List in December 2025, subject to applicable exemptions and subsequent federal determinations. This action does not constitute a blanket prohibition on the continued operation of every previously authorized foreign-produced drone, but it may affect equipment authorization and the future availability of certain systems and components.
University personnel should therefore obtain appropriate review before acquiring new drone equipment for research or sponsored activities.
Blue UAS and Other Cleared Systems
The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) maintains the Blue List of vetted unmanned aircraft systems and components. University personnel considering a drone for federally funded research or sponsored activities may consult the DCMA Blue List – Cleared List as part of the review process.
A drone or component's inclusion on the Blue List may assist with federal procurement, cybersecurity, and supply-chain review. However, inclusion on the Blue List does not by itself establish compliance with all applicable sponsor, award, procurement, cybersecurity, export control, operational, FAA, or University requirements.
University personnel should obtain appropriate review before purchasing or using a drone for federally funded research or sponsored activities.
Non-Federally Funded Activities
Activities that are not federally funded may still be subject to other federal, state, local, FAA, University, property, privacy, cybersecurity, export control, sponsor, or contractual requirements.
Assistance
Before purchasing, operating, borrowing, leasing, using, or contracting for drone services in connection with federally funded research or sponsored activities, contact the Export Control Officer at researchsecurity@louisiana.edu or 337-482-1533.
Questions concerning sponsor or award requirements should also be coordinated with the appropriate Sponsored Programs representative before contacting the sponsor or making a purchase.