International Collaboration Review Committee

UT is committed to advancing research driven by faculty scholarly agendas. The University is equally committed to protecting faculty, students, and the institution from undue risks when engaging with foreign entities, whether those risks arise directly from the engagement itself or from potential conflicts with internal, state, or federal policy.

The International Collaboration Review Committee (ICRC), comprised of faculty and research administrators, reviews collaborations with or taking place in foreign countries of concern. These countries, as defined by Texas Executive Order GA-48, are China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela. The committee evaluates the details of the proposed scholarly work and collaboration and provides risk assessments and mitigation guidance. The committee’s review may include restricted party screening, export control, reputational and funding risk, disclosure requirements, intellectual property risk, physical and data security, and other risks including conflicts of interest and potential policy violations or compliance requirements. The committee does not deny projects; rather, it helps facilitate productive, secure, and compliant collaborations.

Faculty and researchers with planned collaborations or field research in countries of concern, as well as those with in-progress projects, must submit through the web-based ICRC portal information about the collaboration and how it benefits their overall scholarly agenda. Prospective collaborations will receive review priority. The ICRC will evaluate the proposed work and provide tailored risk mitigation recommendations on matters such as:

• travel security
• data security
• disclosure obligations to UT and research sponsors
• coauthorship

Activities Requiring ICRC Review

Any UT investigator contemplating or already working with entities or individuals in countries of concern (i.e., PRC, to include Hong Kong and Macau; Russia; Iran; North Korea; Cuba; or Venezuela) or carrying out field research in those countries are required to submit the activity for ICRC review. These activities include:

• Employment involving research (including advising on research) or teaching, to include academic, professional, or institutional appointments, whether or not remuneration is received
• Joint patents
• Joint research collaboration or partnerships
• Research support, whether monetary or in-kind
• Invitations to join funding proposals
• Non-disclosure agreements or contract agreements
• Any research related agreements
• Talent program invitations

ICRC Meeting Frequency

The ICRC meets twice each month, generally on the 4^th Wednesday.