EC-VPR Policy-Title

Vice Provost for Research's Policy Statement for Export Control at Naval Postgraduate School

EC-VPR Policy-Title

The following statement regarding export controls has been signed and issued by the NPS’s Vice Provost for Research as an indicator and authority for all employees, students, and contractors. It is included in the informational booklet issued to all employees, students, and contractors (the term “booklet” below refers specifically to this booklet) and is quoted or referenced in numerous other NPS export related documents.


A Message from the NPS Vice Provost for Research

The United States government oversees the export of defense articles and services as part of safeguarding national security and furthering foreign policy objectives. The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is firmly committed to both widespread distribution of its academic products and the protection of the national security of the United States (U.S.). The NPS Export Control Program is intended to support researchers and students as they navigate through the complex regulations that govern these objectives.

Exports include not only tangible or physical items, such as biological materials, chemicals and equipment, but also intangible information, that includes research data, software, algorithms, engineering designs, etc. Due to the expansive variety of items that can be considered exports, multiple government agencies have responsibilities for regulating export controls from the U.S. The Department of State (DOS) and Department of Defense (DOD) are concerned with the export of "defense articles and services" specifically designed, modified, or engineered for military applications. The Export Administration Regulations are applied to Department of Commerce (DOC) regulations where the export of all "dual-use" (defense and commercial use) commodities, software and technologies not under the jurisdiction of other agencies is monitored. The Department of the Treasury (DOT) is concerned with administering and enforcing economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. The General Services Administration (GSA) is concerned with disseminating information on parties that are excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits.

In recognition of the many agencies involved with export control regulations, it is understandable that export control rules are complex and constantly evolving. It is the responsibility of every NPS student, employee, and contractor to be familiar with and abide by U.S. export control requirements.  They are not expected to become an expert on export controls, however, they are expected to be aware of their existence and to know when a work situation might have export control implications. They are also expected to determine when guidance and assistance are needed for an export control matter, and to know where to get that help.

The NPS Export Control Program website posts information to clarify NPS’s export control policy, to increase awareness about export control regulations, requirements, and procedures, and to identify resources to assure compliance with U.S. export control requirements. (It is important to note that the NPS Export Control Program website is intended to be used as a reference, not as a substitute for official export regulations.)