International Collaborations

International collaborations strengthen education and scholarship by connecting our faculty and students to global expertise, perspectives, and resources. This advances our ability to generate knowledge, educate students, and deliver tangible benefits to the communities we serve. Thoughtfully managed collaboration enhances the quality and impact of research conducted on campus, supports innovation, and prepares students to contribute effectively in a globally engaged workforce. However, collaboration can also pose security risks that must be carefully managed. Before engaging in new activities or establishing new partnerships, be sure to consider the following:

Know-Your-Partner / Due Diligence

Purdue emphasizes screening foreign institutions, companies, and individual collaborators to confirm ownership, sponsor status, and whether the partner is found on any restricted-party lists. These screenings are often completed by administrative units when engaging in formal collaborations. Even in less formal arrangements, it is important that researchers know who they are collaborating with and who is funding their collaborator’s research. It is not uncommon for an external collaborator to engage another collaborator in the activity, so you would want to know who those other collaborators are. These additional checks ensure that our research is not misappropriated for unintended purposes. This is a crucial first step before engaging.

Transparency

Making sure the terms of agreements are clearly outlined and that everyone understands their obligations is critical. None of the aspects of an arrangement should seem unusual or unnecessary, be poorly specified, or result in any conflicts of interest or conflicts of commitment. Any requests for secrecy among project participants or restrictions on disclosure should be treated as a warning sign and escalated. Please note that faculty and staff are not authorized to sign on behalf of Purdue, even informal memoranda of understanding or letters of intent.

Deemed Exports & Foreign Person Participation

Researchers need to pay very close attention to restrictions that safeguard controlled information. If you are aware of restrictions on your ability to publish or freely use any talent to perform the research, regardless of their citizenship, please reach out to RSEC immediately. These types of restrictions can trigger export control restrictions, regardless of whether they are agreed to in the sponsored research agreement or are agreed to in a side deal. The requirements for proper handling of controlled information is described in a TCP. RSEC supports research teams to ensure everyone with access to controlled information receives required training and that access is consistent with U.S. export control regulations and contractual requirements.

National Security

It’s important to understand whether a proposed collaboration involves technology subject to national security concerns, including nuclear explosive devices, missiles, chemical or biological weapons, chemical weapon precursors or emerging technologies of strategic interest. Some engagements require U.S. government authorizations even when no physical export occurs. Contact RSEC early for assessment and assistance in obtaining federal approvals when required. Researchers conducting work in critical and emerging technologies may be at a greater risk for foreign talent recruitment or academic elicitation and should be especially careful in conducting due diligence with international partners to ensure that their work is not misappropriated for unintended purposes. Some of these areas may not be export controlled but may require a Research Security Plan (RSP) to mitigate the elevated risk. RSEC supports research teams in developing and supporting these plans.

International Travel, Shipping, and On-Site Activity

Before traveling, shipping items, or conducting activities abroad, review RSEC’s requirements for laptops, software, data, biological materials, or equipment. Ensure compliance with both U.S. and host-country regulations. RSEC supports researchers in determining whether licenses, disclosures, or special handling procedures are required for any material that will be transported or accessed internationally.

Training, Escalation Path, and Central Support

Engage RSEC early in the planning process, especially when activities involve controlled information, complex agreements, or elevated risk environments. RSEC provides training, intake support, consultations, briefings, and compliance assessments. Leveraging RSEC’s services reduces administrative burden and regulatory risk for researchers and ensures that collaborations advance Purdue’s mission safely and responsibly.